Rep. Sidney H. Mathias

Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2011, "covered prescription drug" includes any prescription drug used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis that is covered by the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan in which the beneficiary is enrolled. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that none of the amount received by an individual as primary social security old age and disability retirement benefits shall constitute disqualifying income.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Increases the general homestead exemption to $7,500 beginning in taxable year 2009 (now, the general homestead exemption is $6,000 for taxable years 2009 and thereafter).

Amends the Counties Code. Requires the county board of Cook County to appoint an independent county personnel director. Provides that, through December 31, 2011, the independent personnel director shall appoint all officers and employees of Cook County and shall assume the duties of the county civil service commission. Requires the civil service commission to perform duties and functions as directed by the independent personnel director and to otherwise operate in an advisory capacity to the director. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that in an action brought by a citizen taxpayer of the State to restrain and enjoin the disbursement of public funds by any officer of the State, the court may, in its discretion, award the prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees. Provides that these changes apply to all actions filed on or after the effective date. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Creates the offense of improper use of public funds. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly misappropriates, misuses, or unlawfully withholds or converts to his or her own use or to the use of another any public funds made available through a gubernatorial or legislative member initiative. Provides that an official or employee of the State or a unit of local government who knowingly facilitates, aids, abets, assists, or participates in the misappropriation, misuse, or unlawful withholding or conversion to his or her own use or to the use of another any public funds made available through a gubernatorial or legislative member initiative also commits the offense. Provides that a person convicted of a felony violation of improper use of public funds is ineligible to receive any grant or contract from the State of Illinois. Defines "gubernatorial or legislative member initiative" and "infrastructure improvements".

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning lists of available records.

Amends the Election Code. With respect to vacancies in the office of United States Senator from Illinois, provides that: (i) a vacancy occurring more than 180 days before the next regularly scheduled election to fill that seat shall remain vacant until filled at a special election; and (ii) a vacancy occurring 180 or fewer days before the next regularly scheduled election to fill that seat shall be filled by temporary appointment by the Governor until the conclusion of the vacant term (now, whenever a vacancy occurs it is filled by temporary appointment by the Governor until the next election of United States Representatives).

Amends the Property Tax Code. Increases the general homestead exemption to $7,500 beginning in taxable year 2010 (now, the general homestead exemption is $6,000 for taxable years 2009 and thereafter).

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for the purposes of the definition of 33 1/3%, the fair cash value of property is determined by the lesser of: (1) the Department of Revenue's sales ratio studies for the 3 most recent years preceding the assessment year; or (2) the valuation of the property in the year immediately preceding the assessment year (under the current law, the fair cash value is based on the sales ratio studies). Effective immediately.