Amends the Illinois Notary Public Act and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practice Act. Prohibits a person whose prior notary commission was suspended, canceled, or revoked from receiving another commission (now, a 10-year prohibition). Exempts notaries who are accredited immigration representatives (now, only attorneys) from the requirement that non-English advertisements of service include a notice that the notary is not an attorney. Applies the notice requirement to other identifying articles, such as letterhead and business cards. Prohibits the literal translation of various English terms that may imply the notary is an attorney. Prohibits a notary from accepting fees for immigration advice or assistance. Makes violations subject to fines, business offense penalties, and commission revocation. Makes other changes. Under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, imposes similar restrictions, requirements, and penalties on persons providing immigration services. Permits recovery of prohibited fees through compensatory damages and permits punitive damages of 3 times the amount of the fees. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Allows the distribution of a portion of the tax increment funds to library districts in the redevelopment project area that meet certain criteria.
Amends the Sale of Tobacco to Minors Act. Prohibits the sale of tobacco over the Internet.
Creates the Automated Traffic Control Systems in Highway Construction or Maintenance Zones Act. Provides that the Department of State Police may establish an automated traffic control system for obtaining a photograph or other recorded image of any vehicle violating a traffic law in a construction or maintenance zone established by the Department of Transportation or the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. Establishes procedures for enforcing penalties on the basis of violations recorded by an automated traffic control system. Provides that the Department of State Police must conduct a public information campaign with regard to the use of these systems before the systems may be used. Provides that the Department of State Police shall adopt rules for conducting the public information campaign.
Creates the Right to Breastfeed Act. Contains only a short title provision.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Creates the offense of criminal trespass to a motion picture exhibition facility. Provides that it is a Class 4 felony to knowingly possess, carry, bear, or transport an audiovisual recording device into a motion picture exhibition facility without the consent of the owner or lessee of that exhibition facility and the licensor of the motion picture being exhibited. Establishes immunity from civil liability for an owner, lessee, employee, or agent of a motion picture exhibition facility who in good faith detains a person suspected of a violation of these provisions until law enforcement officers arrive. Permits law enforcement officers to carry audiovisual equipment into a motion picture exhibition facility during a lawful investigation. Effective immediately.
Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department to establish and administer a nursing workforce database. Provides that the objective of establishing the database shall be the collection and analysis of data that is related to nursing and to the nursing workforce, so that conclusions may be drawn relating to current nursing supply, demand, and workforce concerns in the State and to future workforce projections and needs. Sets forth the information that must be contained in the database. Provides that no later than January 15, 2006, the Department shall submit a report to the Governor and members of the General Assembly regarding the development of the database and the effectiveness of its use.
Amends the General Homestead Exemption provisions of the Property Tax Code. Provides that in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants if the assessed valuation of property has increased by more than 20% over the previous assessed valuation of that property, an additional exemption is allowed, with the amount of the additional exemption determined by household income. Effective immediately.
Amends the Community Senior Services and Resources Act. Authorizes the Director of Aging to accept monetary bequests and gifts for deposit into the Community Senior Services and Resources Fund. Directs the Department on Aging, in conjunction with the Community Senior Services and Resource Center Advisory Committee, to design an awareness campaign that can be implemented by senior services and resource centers at their individual expense. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that a person commits aggravated assault when he or she knows the individual assaulted to be a sports official or coach at any level of competition and the act causing the assault to the sports official or coach occurred within an athletic facility or within the immediate vicinity of the athletic facility at which the sports official or coach was an active participant in the athletic contest held at the athletic facility. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor.