Rep. Ed Sullivan Jr.

Amends the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a city, village, or incorporated town of less than 5,000 inhabitants that is regulated by the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law may elect to adopt the provisions of the Article by the passage of a resolution or ordinance by the governing board of that city, village, or incorporated town, but that city, village, or incorporated town shall not levy a separate tax without approval by referendum. Effective immediately.

Urges the Auditor General to conduct a financial audit of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and a management audit of the IHSA's decision to adopt a tiered enrollment multiplier.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to extend the repeal of the Illinois Physical Therapy Act to January 1, 2016. Amends the Physical Therapy Act. Changes all references from the Physical Therapy Licensing and Disciplinary Committee and the Physical Therapy Examining Committee to the Physical Therapy Licensing and Disciplinary Board. Changes the definition of "physical therapy" to mean and include (A) examining, evaluating, and testing individuals who may have mechanical, physiological, or developmental impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or other health and movement-related conditions, determining a treatment diagnosis for these disorders and rehabilitation prognosis and plan of therapeutic intervention, and assessing the on-going effects of the interventions, (B) alleviating impairments, functional limitations, or disabilities by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic interventions for the purposes of preventing, correcting, or alleviating a physical or mental impairment, functional limitation, or disability, (C) reducing the risk of injury, impairment, functional limitation, or disability, including the promotion and maintenance of fitness, health, and wellness, and (D) engaging in administration, consultation, education, and research. Provides that a majority of Board members then appointed constitutes a quorum and that a majority vote of the quorum is required for a Board decision. Changes references to a physical therapy assistant program to a physical therapist assistant program. Provides that a person must have graduated from and attained an associate's degree from an approved physical therapist assistant program in order to be qualified to receive a license as a physical therapist assistant (now, a person is required to have graduated from a 2-year college level physical therapy assistant program). Provides that following notification of eligibility for examination, an applicant who fails to take the examination for a license under the Act within 60 days of the notification shall forfeit his or her fee and right to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant until such time as the applicant has passed the appropriate examination (now, an applicant who fails to take the next-scheduled examination forfeits his fee and right to practice). Effective immediately.

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.

Amends the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption in the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning in taxable year 2005, eligibility for the exemption is determined based on "adjusted household income" (now, based on "household income"). Defines "adjusted household income" as household income minus legitimate medical expenses. Defines "legitimate medical expenses" as medical expenses paid by the applicant or a member of the applicant's household during the calendar year preceding the taxable year that are deductible as individual medical expenses under the federal Internal Revenue Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Executive Reorganization Implementation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a person convicted of or placed on court supervision for an assault or aggravated assault when the victim and the offender are family or household members as defined in the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 or convicted of domestic battery or aggravated domestic battery shall be required to attend anger management classes under such terms and conditions imposed by the court. Provides that the costs of such classes shall be paid by the offender. Effective immediately.

Congratulates Fire Chief Randy Justus of Mundelein, Illinois on his retirement.

Congratulates the members of the Ivanhoe Congregational Church in Mundelein on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of their church building.

Amends the Statute on Statutes. Prohibits all takings under the power of eminent domain by the State or a unit of local government for private development unless the property is within an area that is a "blighted area" and the condemning authority has entered into a written agreement with a private person or entity that agrees to undertake a development project within the blighted area that specifically details the reasons for which the property or rights in the property are necessary for the success of the development project. Defines "private development". Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that in all eminent domain actions in which a property owner is displaced, the displacing entity must pay certain costs related to the relocation and displacement of the property owner's residence, business, or farm operation. Amends the Eminent Domain Article in the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that, in a condemnation proceeding in which the property has been designated by the condemning authority by ordinance as blighted, the condemning authority must demonstrate and prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the property is blighted property. Provides that the existence of an ordinance designating property as blighted is not prima facie evidence of blight. Provides that an ordinance designating property as "blighted property" shall not be presumed to be valid for purposes of the condemnation proceeding. Makes changes concerning the valuation of condemned property. Requires reimbursement of the property owner for certain relocation costs. Establishes guidelines for determining reasonable attorney's fees (i) if the court awards just compensation that exceeds the initial written offer of the condemning authority and (ii) if the court determines that the taking is not warranted. Preempts home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.