Rep. Darlene J. Senger

Amends the Township Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning referenda.

Creates the Advanced Science Zones Act. Sets forth procedures for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to certify areas in the State as Advanced Science Zones. Sets forth procedures for the administration of the Zones. Requires the Department to establish several programs with respect to the Zones including a loan program, a financial-assistance program, a transferable investment tax credit, and a tax-deduction certification. Contains other provisions. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make corresponding changes concerning the tax credits and deductions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning legislative intent in connection with public assistance fraud.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the returning veterans' homestead exemption, provides that the veteran may apply the exemption for the taxable year after he or she returns if (i) he or she first acquires a principal residence during the taxable year in which he or she returns, but after January 1 of that year, and (ii) if the property is owned and occupied as a principal residence by the veteran on January 1 of the next taxable year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that it is unlawful for a minor under 17 years of age to knowingly disseminate any material that depicts nudity or other sexual conduct by electronic transfer or capture of images of the person's self image or image of another minor under 17 years of age. Provides that a violation is a Class B misdemeanor. Provides that it is unlawful for a minor under 17 years of age to knowingly request another minor under 17 years of age to violate this provision and distribute that image or images to another person or persons. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that it is unlawful for a minor under 17 years of age to knowingly obtain an image in violation of these provisions and distribute the image or images by means of uploading the nude image on an Internet website with the intent to injure the reputation of the other person or with the intent to cause emotional distress to the other person and to maintain an Internet website or webpage which is accessible to one or more third parties for a period of at least 24 hours. Provides that a violation is a Class 4 felony. Permits the court to impose additional specified penalties.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections must also make identification information and a recent photo of the inmate being released accessible on the Internet by means of a hyperlink labeled "Community Notification of Inmate Early Release" on the Department's World Wide Web homepage. Provides that the identification information shall include the inmate's: name, any known alias, date of birth, physical characteristics, residence address, commitment offense and county where conviction was imposed. Provides that the identification information shall be placed on the website within 3 days of the inmate's release and the information may not be removed until either: completion of the first year of mandatory supervised release or return of the inmate to custody of the Department. Effective immediately.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Requires a person registering as a sex offender or sexual predator to provide the Department of State Police with his or her telephone number, including cellular telephone number.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that a person also commits sexual exploitation of a child if he or she in the presence or virtual presence, or both, of a child engages in the sexual act or exposure of his or her sex organs, anus, or breast for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification of one whom he or she believes to be a child if the person has the intent or knowledge that one whom he or she believes to be a child would view his or her acts. Defines "virtual presence".

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that it is a Class 4 felony for any sex offender (rather than just a child sex offender) to knowingly be present in any public park building or on real property comprising any public park or to knowingly loiter on a public way within 500 feet of a public park building or real property comprising any public park.

Amends the Home Repair Fraud Act. Provides that a person commits the offense of aggravated home repair fraud when he commits home repair fraud in connection with a home repair project intended to assist a disabled person. Provides that aggravated home repair involving misrepresentation or deception is a Class 3 (instead of Class 4) felony when the amount of the contract or agreement is $500 or less and a Class 2 (instead of Class 3) felony for a second or subsequent offense when the amount of the contract or agreement is $500 or less. Effective immediately.