Rep. Deborah Mell

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Creates the Homeowner Bill of Rights in the Article known as the Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Law. Provides that a mortgagee shall have access to all communications between the mortgagor and the mortgagee and between the mortgagee and any third party concerning the mortgagor, the mortgagee, and the mortgage note. Defines terms. Provides that the mortgagor may utilize a HUD-certified counselor to act as an intermediary or agent in interactions with the mortgagee.

Amends the Sex Offender Community Notification Law. Provides that if a sex offender resides in a multi-unit dwelling, the owner, landlord, or management of the multi-unit dwelling shall notify residents of the multi-unit dwelling that sex offenders reside in the multi-unit dwelling. Provides that if a sex offender intends to reside in the multi-unit dwelling, notice shall be given before the sex offender moves into the multi-unit dwelling. Provides that it is the duty of the owner, landlord, or management of the multi-unit dwelling to periodically check the Statewide Sex Offender Database to determine if sex offenders reside within the multi-unit dwelling. Provides that an owner, landlord, or management of a multi-unit dwelling is immune from criminal or civil liability for an act or omission made in good faith in reliance on the information in the Statewide Sex Offender Database.

Amends the Illinois Oil and Gas Act. Provides that the Director of Natural Resources shall adopt rules that require, prior to such hydraulic fracturing, the owner or operator to perform a suitable mechanical integrity test of the casing or of the casing-tubing annulus or other mechanical integrity test methods using procedures that are established by administrative rule. Provides that each owner or operator that begins extracting natural gas from shale shall report to the Department specified information within 30 days after the completion of all stages of the hydraulic fracturing stimulation. Requires that the owner or operator shall post the chemical disclosure information on certain specified websites. Provides that the owner or operator shall provide information to the Director as to the amounts, handling, and, if necessary, disposal at an identified appropriate disposal facility, or reuse of the well stimulation fluid load recovered during flow back, swabbing, or recovery from production facility vessels. Provides that the storage of the well stimulation fluid load shall be protective of an underground source of drinking water by the use of either tanks or lined pits. Provides that nothing in the provision shall be construed to require or allow disclosure of trade secrets or commercial information that is exempt from inspection or copying when provided to the Department together with a claim made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act that such information is proprietary, privileged, or confidential and that disclosure may cause competitive harm to the person or business. Provides that the provision only applies to the extraction of natural gas from shale.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that any judge, circuit clerk or clerk of court, public official or employee, court reporter, or other person who knowingly and without lawful authority falsifies any public record received or held by any judge or by a clerk of any court commits a Class 3 felony. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Removes a requirement that taxpayers in a county with 3,000,000 inhabitants must reapply for the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption on an annual basis.

Creates the Genetically Engineered Food Right To Know Act. Provides that all foods containing genetically engineered material or produced with genetically engineered material must be clearly marked with a label placed in a conspicuous place that indicates that the food contains genetically engineered material or was produced with a genetically engineered material. Provides the specific language to be included on the label. Provides that the Department of Public Health may create rules necessary for the implementation of the Act.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. In a Section concerning estimated taxes, provides that, if a taxpayer is entitled to a refund after the payment of the fourth installment, then he or she may apply the amount of the refund to the first installment due in the next taxable year.

Amends the Litter Control Act. Provides that a person who violates a specific provision of the Act is subject to a mandatory minimum fine of $50.

Amends the Cemetery Oversight Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Department of Employment Security Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Employment Security shall create a COBRA Relief Program under which an individual who is receiving regular or extended unemployment insurance benefits and is eligible for COBRA continuation coverage may apply to the Department for participation in the Program. Provides that, under the program, an individual's costs of COBRA continuation coverage are limited to 25% of the amount of his or her unemployment insurance benefits, the individual certifies to the Department, by the first day of each month, the total cost of COBRA benefits paid by the person in the preceding month, and the Department pays the remainder of individual's costs of COBRA continuation coverage. Sets forth criteria for expiration of an individual's eligibility and provides for the adoption of rules to implement and administer the Program.