Rep. Elaine Nekritz

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that if any portion of a motor vehicle hitch containing a ball mount and hitch receiver extends more than 4 inches beyond the motor vehicle's rear bumper, then the ball mount must be removed from the hitch receiver when the motor vehicle is not being used for towing. Provides that if any portion of a motor vehicle hitch extends more than 4 inches beyond the rear bumper of the motor vehicle and the hitch is composed of a single assembly that cannot be easily removed from the vehicle, then the ball of the hitch must be covered with a red cover. Defines "ball mount", "hitch receiver", and "motor vehicle hitch".

Amends the School Code. Provides that educational service centers may provide training, technical assistance, coordination, and planning in the area of financial planning, consultation, and services. Provides that upon the removal from office, disqualification for office, resignation from office, a vacancy in the office, or expiration of the current term of office of the regional superintendent of schools, whichever is earlier, centers serving that portion of a Class II county school unit outside of a city of 500,000 or more inhabitants shall have and exercise, in and with respect to each educational service region having a population of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants and in and with respect to each school district located in any such educational service region, all of the rights, powers, duties, and responsibilities theretofore vested by law in and exercised and performed by the regional superintendent of schools for that area (only to the extent that additional money is appropriated for or provided to the centers). Provides that in educational service regions containing 2,000,000 or more inhabitants, the office of regional superintendent of schools is abolished upon the removal from office, disqualification for office, resignation from office, a vacancy in the office, or expiration of the current term of office of the regional superintendent of schools, whichever is earlier (instead of the office being abolished on July 1, 1994). Allows money in an institute fund to be used by the regional superintendent to defray all costs associated with the administration of teaching certificates. In the Duties of County Board Article, removes language that states that on and after July 1, 1994, certain provisions in that Article shall have no application in any county having a population of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants. Effective July 1, 2010.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. With respect to the disclosure exemption for administrative enforcement and law enforcement records, extends the exemption to records the disclosure of which would affect enforcement proceedings and investigations of any public body (now, the public body that receives the request). Requires a public body that receives any administrative enforcement or law enforcement records request but that is not the public body or law enforcement or correctional agency contemplating or conducting a proceeding or investigation to transmit the request to such body or agency. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that with the exception of a policy of accident and health insurance, no misrepresentation or false warranty shall defeat or avoid a policy unless it shall have been made with actual intent to deceive or materially affects either the acceptance of the risk or the hazard assumed. Provides that no insurer shall rescind or cancel any policy of insurance, contract, evidence of coverage, or certificate that provides accident and health coverage on the basis of written information by the insured if the insurer failed to complete medical underwriting and resolve all reasonable medical questions. Provides that an insurer shall apply for approval of a policy rescission or cancellation by submitting written information to the Director of Insurance. Sets forth provisions concerning the approval of a rescission or cancellation. Amends the Illinois Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Provides that a health insurance issuer may rescind health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group health plan or coverage of an individual in the individual market only upon evidence of fraud. Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act to provide that Health Maintenance Organizations shall be subject to the provisions of the Illinois Insurance Code concerning the prior approval of health insurance rescissions. Contains a nonacceleration clause. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2010.

Amends the Election Code, the General Assembly Compensation Act, and the Legislative Commission Reorganization Act of 1984. Changes the general primary election from the first Tuesday in February of even-numbered years to the third Tuesday in March of even-numbered years in which a U.S. President is elected and the first Tuesday in August in even-numbered years in which a Governor is elected. Makes conforming changes with respect to filing of campaign finance reports and printing and mailing of legislators' newsletters and brochures. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, the regional office of education for the portion of Cook County that does not include Chicago is abolished and transfers all powers and duties of that region to the State Board of Education. Repeals a provision concerning the regional office of education oversight board in Class II counties. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Public Health to award grants to eligible entities to conduct research in the early detection, prevention, cure, screening, and treatment of cancer. Requires the Department of Public Health to create an advisory committee with a primary focus that includes cancer prevention and the early detection, curing, screening, and treatment of cancer. Provides that moneys received for the purposes of these provisions shall be deposited into the Cancer Prevention Research Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Cancer Prevention Research Fund.

Amends the Election Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning expenses of conducting a primary election.

Amends the Election Code, the General Assembly Compensation Act, and the Legislative Commission Reorganization Act of 1984. Changes the general primary election from the first Tuesday in February of even-numbered years to the third Tuesday in March of even-numbered years. Makes conforming changes with respect to (i) filing of declarations of judicial retention and (ii) printing and mailing of legislators' newsletters and brochures.

Creates the Condominium Ombudsperson Act and amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Office of the Condominium Ombudsperson in the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation under the supervision and control of the Secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that the Ombudsperson shall offer training and educational materials and courses to condominium unit owners, condominium associations, and boards of managers in subjects relevant to the operation and management of condominium property and the rights and duties of a unit owner or unit owners' association. Requires the Ombudsperson to maintain a statewide toll-free telephone number, and a website with certain specified information, to provide information or assistance on matters relating to condominium property. Requires the Ombudsperson to report annually to the General Assembly. Provides that every condominium unit owners' association shall pay an annual fee to the Ombudsperson to cover the administration of the Act. Creates the Condominium Ombudsperson Fund as a special fund in the State treasury, to consist of fees received by the Ombudsperson, to be used exclusively for expenditures necessary for the proper administration of the Act. Repeals the Act on July 1, 2012. Effective July 1, 2009.