Rep. Paul D. Froehlich

Amends the Property Tax Code. Includes disabled persons within the provisions awarding an assessment freeze homestead exemption to senior citizens. Changes the name to the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (now Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption). Makes corresponding changes to a cross-reference to the exemption. Amends the freeze provision and the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement from the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Permits election authorities to prepare and provide special consolidated primary election absentee ballots that permit ranked run-off voting for absentee voters in the United States military or outside the United States on the consolidated primary and consolidated election days. Requires the State Board of Elections to adopt implementing rules.

Amends the Election Code. Changes an independent General Assembly candidate's petition signature requirement to not less than 5% nor more than 8% of the number of persons who voted in the district at the most recent general election (now, not less than 10% nor more than 16% of that number). With respect to the first election after redistricting, changes the independent State Senate candidate's minimum signature requirement to 1,500 (now, 3,000) district voters and changes the independent State Representative candidate's minimum signature requirement to 750 (now, 1,500) district voters.

Creates the Tobacco Control Act. Provides definitions. Prohibits any person from selling tobacco without obtaining a license. Requires retailers without a license to keep all tobacco products and paraphernalia from public view and prohibits the display of any tobacco-related advertisement that would lead a person to believe tobacco could be obtained from the retailer. Prohibits certain sales or dispersals of tobacco products. Requires an application for a tobacco retailer's license to be submitted in the name of the proprietor to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission and provides that a license issued in error or on the basis of false or misleading information shall be revoked. Sets forth the information to be provided in applications for new or renewal licenses. Requires the Commission to issue a license upon receipt of an application except for certain circumstances. Provides that a license is nontransferable and that violations accumulated against a location or business will continue to be counted against that location or business unless the location or business has been transferred in an arm's length transaction. Requires a retailer to pay a fee set by the Commission for a new or renewal license. Requires retailers to display the license and to display a sign at each point of sale, including on each vending machine. Provides for violations and compliance checks. Provides for penalties. Provides for severability. Effective July 1, 2006.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Authorizes the Department of Human Rights to commission a study to investigate housing discrimination in Illinois, if resources permit.

Amends the Election Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Authorizes municipalities by referendum to adopt an instant run-off voting method for the nonpartisan offices of mayor, city clerk, city treasurer, and city councilman or alderman from single-member districts. Provides procedures for marking and counting ballots. Declares that a municipal election using instant runoff voting is valid if it otherwise conformed to law. Effective immediately.

Amends the Fire Sprinkler Dormitory Act. Defines "dormitory". Provides that fire sprinkler systems are required in the dormitories of all post-secondary educational institutions by January 1, 2013 (now, fire sprinkler systems are required by 2013 if a fire sprinkler dormitory revolving loan program is established). Allows post-secondary educational institutions to collect a fee of $5 per credit hour from each student residing in a dormitory, which fees must be transmitted to the Office of the State Fire Marshal to be deposited into the Fire Sprinkler Dormitory Revolving Loan Fund.

Amends the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984. Provides that any parent having custody of any minor child under this Act and any mother having custody of a minor child whose paternity has been established or acknowledged pursuant to the listed Acts shall not remove the child from Illinois without first obtaining leave from the court to do so. Provides that the court may grant leave to any party having custody of any minor child to remove the child from Illinois whenever such approval is in the best interest of the child. Places the burden of proof of the best interest of the child on the party seeking to remove the child from Illinois. Provides that when the removal is permitted, the court may require the party removing the child from Illinois to give reasonable security guaranteeing the return of the child. Provides that, before a minor child is temporarily removed from Illinois, the parent responsible for the removal shall inform the other parent, or the other parent's attorney, of the address and telephone number where the child may be reached during the period of temporary removal, and the date on which the child shall return to Illinois, if the other parent has court-ordered visitation.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that property owners must notify affected fire protection districts upon filing of any application for a non-homestead exemption which would reduce the assessed valuation of any property by more than $100,000 and provides that the districts must be given the opportunity to be heard on the matter. Deletes a provision exempting counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants from certain notice requirements concerning tax objections.

Amends the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act. Makes a technical change in the Section concerning the definitions.