Rep. Bob Biggins

Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that a unit of local government may request the Department of State Police to conduct a fingerprint-based criminal history records check to determine if an applicant for employment with the unit of local government has been convicted of any offense that would disqualify the applicant for employment with the unit of local government. Provides that the information obtained from the background check is confidential. Provides that any person who releases any confidential information concerning any criminal convictions of an applicant for employment is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, unless the release of the information is authorized by law.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "taxing district".

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a petition for a name change must include whether the petitioner has ever been charged with, arrested for, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been found to have committed a criminal offense, regardless of adjudication. Provides that, except for petitions for a name change due to marriage, the petition shall include a copy of the petitioner's fingerprints taken by law enforcement. Provides that the clerk must, upon the filing of a final judgment of a criminal offense against any petitioner for a name change, send a report of the judgment to the Department of State Police on a form to be furnished by the Department. Provides that the report must contain sufficient information to identify the petitioner including fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency, the new name of the petitioner, and the file number of the judgment. Requires the Department of State Police to send a copy of the report to the Department of Transportation, which may be delivered by electronic transmission. Provides that, with respect to a person convicted of a felony in another state or of a federal offense, the Department of State Police must send the report to the respective state's office of law enforcement records or to the office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Provides that the costs from fingerprinting must be paid by the petitioner.

Creates the Blind Vendors Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Blind Services, shall operate and promote the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth that the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act and the regulations adopted pursuant to that Act shall serve as the minimum standards for the operation of the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Provides that under the Program: (1) blind vendors have priority in the operation of all vending facilities on State property; (2) vending machine income from all vending machines on State property shall be assigned to the blind vendor on the property or to the Blind Vendors Trust Fund; (3) no State agency may impose any commission, service charge, rent, or utility charge on a blind vendor operating on State property; (4) sales made at a blind vendor's vending facility are exempt from all occupation and use taxes; and (5) State agencies may not allow competition with a blind vendor. Sets forth that the Bureau Director for the Bureau of the Blind and the Committee of Blind Vendors shall jointly develop regulations to ensure that priority is given to blind vendors in the operation of vending facilities on State property. Provides that the Department may provide for set-asides of the net proceeds of vending operations under certain conditions. Requires set-aside funds to be deposited in the Blind Vendors Trust Fund, a separate account managed by the Department for the State's blind vendors. Sets forth provisions for the distribution of vending machine income from vending machines on State property. Provides certain conditions for the licensing of blind vendors. Creates the Committee of Blind Vendors to jointly participate in the development and implementation of all policies, plans, and major decisions affecting the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth provisions for the composition of the Committee. Provides certain procedures for the resolution of disputes arising within the Program. Provides for the promulgation of regulations relating to the operation of this Act. Requires the Department to make regular surveys and reports on State property and vending facilities. Sets forth conditions and information to be contained in the surveys and reports. Preempts home rule powers. Repeals the Blind Persons Operating Vending Facilities Act. Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to provide that personal property purchased from a blind vendor's vending facility licensed by the Department of Human Services under the Blind Vendors Act is exempt from the taxes imposed by those Acts and that these exemptions are not subject to the sunset provisions of those Acts.

Recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Westchester Public Library.

Amends the Real Estate Transfer Tax Law in the Property Tax Code. Requires the Department of Revenue to establish a system to allow a recorder or registrar of titles of a county to purchase the revenue stamps electronically from the Department and to deliver the electronically purchased stamps to the recorder or registrar of titles.

Mourns the death in Iraq of U.S. Army Private Christopher M. Alcozer of Villa Park.

Amends the Special Service Area Tax Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that a municipality may propose a special service area as provided in this Law for the purpose of providing improvements to any one or more buildings if the improvements are required by municipal ordinance in order to protect the health and safety of workers, tenants, and visitors in the buildings. Sets forth requirements for establishing the special service area.

Honors U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Dan Foot.

Honors Diana Nicholas for her many years of supporting causes that further the appreciation of art and culture.