Rep. Keith Farnham

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that no county or municipality may prohibit a charitable organization from soliciting for charitable purposes, including solicitations taking place on public roadways from passing motorists, if certain requirements are met. Sets forth requirements regarding the groups involved, applications and liability insurance. Defines "local agency" to mean a municipality, county, special district, fire district, joint powers of authority, or other political subdivision of the State of Illinois. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. In a Section concerning the applicability of the Code to public institutions of higher education, includes the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in the definition of "public institution of higher education". Effective immediately.

Congratulates the congregation of the First United Methodist Church in Elgin on the occasion of the church's 175th anniversary.

Congratulates Carole Peto on receiving the Altrusa International Club of Elgin's Woman of the Year 2012 award.

Proposes to amend the Executive Article of the Illinois Constitution. Eliminates the Offices of the Comptroller and Treasurer. Provides instead for a single Comptroller of the Treasury. Provides that the Comptroller of the Treasury shall (i) maintain the State's central fiscal accounts and order payments into and out of the funds held by him or her, (ii) be responsible for the safekeeping and investment of monies and securities deposited with him or her, and for their disbursement upon his or her order, and (iii) have the duties and powers that may be prescribed by law. No Comptroller or Treasurer shall be elected in 2014 and thereafter. Effective otherwise upon conclusion of the terms of the Comptroller and the Treasurer elected in 2010.

Mourns the death of Corporal Alex Martinez of Elgin.

Pledges support for Argonne National Laboratory and its bid to be the home of the Energy Storage Hub and encourages the United States Department of Energy to consider Argonne for the location of the Hub.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Governor to create a Management Improvement Initiative Committee that shall include the Management Improvement Initiative Departmental Leadership Team to implement the recommendations made in the report submitted to the General Assembly on January 1, 2011 as required under Public Act 96-1141. Provides that the Team shall be comprised of a representative from the Department on Aging and the Departments of Children and Family Services, Healthcare and Family Services, Human Services, and Public Health, and that the Team members shall integrate the Committee's objectives into their respective departmental operations and shall submit a progress report to the General Assembly by May 1, 2011 on the progress made in implementing the recommendations made in the report submitted to the General Assembly on January 1, 2011 as required under Public Act 96-1141. Provides that additional duties of the Committee shall include reviewing contracts held with community health and human service providers on the regulations and work processes required by the departments and their divisions; and describing how improved regulations, reporting, monitoring, compliance, auditing, certification, licensing, and work processes are measured at the community vendor, contractor, and departmental levels, and how they have reduced redundant regulations, reporting, monitoring, compliance, auditing, certification, licensing, and work processes. Contains provisions concerning the composition of the Committee. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. Sets forth the requirements for the review of a permit application to establish, construct, or modify a health care facility. Provides that the Health Facilities and Services Review Board shall afford an opportunity for a public hearing concerning a permit application. Sets forth the requirements for post-permit reports. Extends the deadline for the Health Facilities and Services Review Board to establish certain rules concerning long-term care to September 30, 2011. Provides that a permit holder who fails to comply with certain post-permit and reporting requirements shall be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000 plus an additional $10,000 for each 30-day period, or fraction thereof, that the violation continues. Makes other changes.

Amends the Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Act. Makes a technical change in the Section concerning the short title.