Rep. Sidney H. Mathias

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Creates the Plastic Carryout Bag Recycling Program. Requires retailers that distribute plastic carryout bags to consumers to implement a plastic carryout bag collection and recycling program. Sets out plastic carryout bag recycling program requirements. Provides that retailers subject to these provisions shall maintain records detailing the collection, transport, and recycling of plastic carryout bags distributed by the retailer. Provides that any manufacturer of plastic carryout bags shall develop educational marketing materials to encourage the reusing and recycling of plastic carryout bags, and shall make those materials available to retailers.

Amends the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act. Provides that the district may establish a separate fund for capital improvements, repairs, or replacements. Provides that the amount accumulated in the fund shall not exceed 0.02% of the equalized assessed value of taxable property in the district. Provides for the distribution of surplus moneys. Effective immediately.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Provides that when a sex offender registers with the appropriate law enforcement agency, he or she shall provide the law enforcement agency with all e-mail addresses, instant messaging identities, chat room identities, and other Internet communications identities that the sex offender uses or plans to use, all Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) registered or used by the sex offender, and all blogs and other Internet sites maintained by the sex offender or to which the sex offender has uploaded any content or posted any messages or information. Amends the Sex Offender Community Notification Law. Provides for disclosure of such information to the public. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insurer or producer authorized to issue policies of insurance in this State may not make a distinction or otherwise discriminate between persons, reject an applicant, cancel a policy, or demand or require a higher rate of premium for reasons based solely upon an applicant's or insured's past lawful travel experiences or future lawful travel plans. Provides that this provision does not prohibit an insurer or producer from excluding or limiting coverage under a policy or refusing to offer the policy based upon past lawful travel or future lawful travel plans or from charging a different rate for that coverage when that action is based upon sound actuarial principles or is related to actual or reasonably expected experience and is not based solely on the destination's inclusion on the United States Department of State's travel warning list.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the court may impose an extended term sentence upon an offender who has been convicted of first degree murder when the offender has previously been convicted of domestic battery or aggravated domestic battery committed against the murdered individual or has previously been convicted of violation of an order of protection in which the murdered individual was the protected person.

Creates the Prescribed Burning Act. Allows for the prescribed burning of certain land under specified circumstances when approved by a certified prescribed burn manager. Provides that no property owner or his agent, conducting a prescribed burn pursuant to the requirements of the Act, shall be liable for damage or injury caused by fire or resulting smoke, unless gross negligence is proven or unless conducted without the approval of a prescribed burn manager. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with the Office of the State Fire Marshall, shall promulgate rules to implement the Act. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed as requiring certification as a prescribed burn manager to conduct prescribed burning on one's own property or on the lands of another with the landowner's permission. Effective immediately.

Creates the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Sets forth the findings of the General Assembly. Creates several definitions. Prohibits smoking in public places, places of employment, and governmental vehicles. Requires "No Smoking" signs to be posted in each public place and place of employment where smoking is prohibited. Requires ashtrays to be removed from any area where smoking is prohibited. Prohibits smoking in student dormitories, including, but not limited to, sleeping rooms, dining areas, restrooms, laundry areas, lobbies, and hallways, of a building used in whole or in part as a student dormitory that is owned and operated or otherwise utilized by a public or private institution of higher education. Provides that the Department of Public Health, State-certified local public health departments, and local law enforcement agencies shall enforce the provisions of the Act. Sets forth fines for violations of the Act. Provides that the Department, a State-certified local public health department, local law enforcement agency, or any individual personally affected by repeated violations may institute, in a circuit court, an action to enjoin violations of the Act. Prohibits discrimination against individuals who exercise their rights afforded by the Act. Provides that a home rule unit may regulate smoking in public places, but that regulation must be no less restrictive than the provisions in the Act. Prohibits smoking within a minimum distance of 15 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Repeals the Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act.

Congratulates Norm Kurtz of Buffalo Grove on his election as President of the International Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs.

Mourns the death in Iraq of Army Private First Class William Newgard of Arlington Heights.

Amends the Counties Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.