Rep. Darlene J. Senger

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 relating to computer tampering. In addition to other elements of the offense, provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly and without the authorization of an account holder or in excess of the authority granted to him or to her accesses or causes to be accessed by any means an e-mail, instant messaging, or social networking website account. Defines "account holder". Establishes penalties. Amends the Harassing and Obscene Communications Act. Includes in the offense of harassment through electronic communications, knowingly and by any means making repeated, unwanted, and harassing communication to another person.

Urges Congress not to eliminate the federal mortgage tax deduction.

Amends the Park District Code. Prohibits a park district from knowingly employing an applicant who has been adjudicated a delinquent minor for committing specified offenses. Provides that the Illinois Department of State Police shall conduct a search of the Illinois criminal history records database to ascertain if a minor applicant being considered for employment with a park district has been adjudicated as committing specified offenses. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. In provisions concerning the confidentiality of the law enforcement records of minors, provides that the president of a park district may have access to specified records of a minor who is applying for employment with the park district. Effective immediately.

Amends the Harassing and Obscene Communications Act. In addition to other elements of the offense, provides that harassment through electronic communications includes knowingly and by any means making repeated, unwanted, and harassing communication to another person. Creates the offense of harassment by cyber identity theft. Defines the offense and establishes penalties for violation. Effective immediately.

Creates the School Choice Act and amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the School Code. Establishes the School Choice Program. Provides that under the program, the custodian of a qualifying pupil is entitled to a School Choice Voucher to pay for qualified education expenses at a participating Chicago nonpublic elementary school. Requires the principal of each low-performing school and of each overcrowded school in the Chicago school district to notify custodians of qualifying pupils of the availability of vouchers. Sets forth provisions concerning a request for a voucher, the issuance and payment of a voucher, the amount and renewal of a voucher, pupil assessment, the State longitudinal data system, and funding. Provides that students receiving vouchers are considered nonpublic school students who have been voluntarily placed in a private setting. Provides that the amount of a redeemed voucher shall not be considered base income and shall not be taxable for Illinois income tax purposes. Requires the State Board of Education to submit a report to the General Assembly. Provides criminal penalties for certain violations. Requires the State Board to adopt rules to implement the Act. Effective June 30, 2012.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that a person commits the offense of computer tampering when knowingly, and without the authorization of a computer's owner, engages in electronic hi-jacking, or sends false data such as information, pictures, or videos as the owner of a hi-jacked account. Defines electronic hi-jacking as a network security attack in which the attacker takes unauthorized control of electronic communications, social networking sites, computer networks or programs of another. Provides that a first offense is a Class 4 felony and a second or subsequent offense is a Class 3 felony.

Amends the Counties Code. Establishes procedural rules that apply when a county makes a decision in regard to any petition or application for special use, variance, rezoning, or other amendment to a zoning ordinance that is subject to judicial review because of an action brought by an interested party. Defines interested party to mean the petitioner, the county, any unit of government having jurisdiction over the territory that is the subject of the petition, or any person or entity required to be given notice of the public hearing by mail. Sets forth the due process procedures concerning notice, subpoenas, the right to present evidence at a hearing, and meetings for purposes of case management. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a credit for contributions to qualified student assistance organizations. Provides that the credit may not exceed $100,000 and may not exceed 90% of each dollar contributed. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Requires certain student assistance organizations to award scholarships to qualifying students. Provides that those scholarships are not included in the taxpayer's base income. Effective immediately.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Excludes from the scope of the Act the removal of trees and limbs along roadways and parkways when that work is not part of other construction. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Authorizes the State Treasurer to establish and administer a Home Savings Pool to supplement and enhance investment opportunities otherwise available to first-time homebuyers. Provides that participants in the Pool are required to use moneys distributed from the Pool for qualified expenditures incident to the purchase of a primary residence by a first-time homebuyer. Contains penalty provisions. Sets forth the duties of the State Treasurer with respect to the Home Savings Pool. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for individual taxpayers equal to the amount contributed by the taxpayer to a Home Savings Pool account during the taxable year, but not to exceed $20,000 per taxable year. Effective immediately.