Rep. Kenneth Dunkin

Congratulates Oprah Winfrey on the occasion of her show's final season.

Congratulates the Society of American Archivists on their 75th anniversary.

Urges the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to develop a cost-effective plan to more readily identify persons who are improperly disposing of used and waste tires.

Honors Dr. Sheila C. Ribordy for her lifetime of accomplishment.

Creates the Industrial Hemp Act. Provides that any person desiring to grow, process, cultivate, harvest, process, possess, sell, or purchase industrial hemp or industrial hemp related products must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture. Provides that the application for a license shall include the name and address of the applicant and the legal description of the land area to be used to grow or process industrial hemp and that the license shall be valid for a period of one year. Requires an applicant to complete a statewide and nationwide criminal background check. Provides that no person with a prior felony conviction within 10 years of applying for a license shall be eligible for licensure. Preempts home rule.

Creates the Community Health Center Construction Act. Provides that the Capital Development Board, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall establish the Community Health Center Construction Grant Program and may make grants to eligible community providers subject to appropriations. Provides that the grants shall be for the purpose of constructing or renovating new community health center sites, renovating existing community health center sites, and purchasing equipment to provide primary health care services to certain populations or areas. Contains provisions concerning grants, eligibility for grants, use of grant moneys, and reporting. Effective immediately.

Amends the Probation and Probation Officers Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2011, minimum qualifications of probation officers shall include at least 30 hours per year in training or continuing education, provided that such training or continuing education programs have been approved in advance by the Division of Probation Services. Provides that beginning January 1, 2014, such minimum qualifications shall include at least 40 hours per year in training or continuing education, provided that such training or continuing education programs have been approved in advance by the Division of Probation Services.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that when a person dies before an action is filed against him or her, a court may appoint a special representative for that decedent, against whom an action may be brought without opening an estate. Deletes a provision requiring notice to heirs or legatees as the court directs, and provides instead that the plaintiff must notify all known heirs or legatees of the decedent by U.S. mail. Provides that any interested person may be substituted as the special representative for good cause shown. Provides that proceeding under this provision shall not bar the estate from filing counterclaims. Deletes a provision limiting recovery to proceeds of any liability insurance available to the estate. Provides that these changes apply to actions commenced or pending on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Historic Preservation Tax Credit Act. Provides for an income tax credit in an amount equal to 25% of qualified expenditures incurred by a qualified taxpayer for the restoration and preservation of a qualified historic structure. Provides that the credit may be carried forward for up to 10 years. Provides that the credit may be sold, assigned, conveyed, or transferred. Provides that the cumulative amount of credits awarded under the Act may not exceed $25,000,000 per year per county. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the High-Speed Rail Authority Act. Contains only a short title provision.