Amends the Illinois Insurance Code and the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Provides that no insurer shall rescind or cancel an accident and health insurance policy, except certain types of policies, on the basis of written information submitted on, with, or omitted from an insurance application. Provides that an insurance policy may not be rescinded or cancelled under the provisions concerning approval of health insurance rescissions more than 2 years after the effective date of the policy. Provides that an insurer shall apply for approval of a rescission or cancellation by submitting written information to the Director of Insurance. Sets forth provisions concerning the review and approval of rescissions and cancellations. Provides that an insurer or insured may appeal a decision by making a written request for a hearing within 30 days after the date the decision is mailed. Makes other changes. Contains a nonacceleration clause. Effective July 1, 2010.
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Creates the Toxic Chemical Safety Act. Requires the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to publish a list of chemicals of high concern. Authorizes the Director to designate chemicals of high concern and other chemicals as priority chemicals. Requires the Director to report certain information about the designation process to the General Assembly. Requires each manufacturer and distributor of children's products that contain designated chemicals to provide certain information to the Director. Authorizes the Director, under certain circumstances, to prohibit, by rule, the sale and distribution of children's products containing a priority chemical. Requires manufacturers and distributors whose products are subject to one of these rules to file a compliance plan. Authorizes manufacturers and distributors to apply for, and the Director to grant, waivers from these rules. Exempts certain classes of chemicals, persons, and containers. Authorizes the Director to participate in an interstate clearinghouse to promote chemical safety. Authorizes the Director to request certificates of compliance from manufacturers and distributors. Requires the Director to develop certain educational materials. Creates the Advisory Council on Toxic Substances to provide expert and scientific advice to the Director. Authorizes the Director to adopt rules necessary to implement these provisions.
Amends the Brominated Fire Retardant Prevention Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Toxic Fire Retardant Prevention Act. Makes changes to the legislative findings. Defines "Agency" and "brominated flame retardant". Provides that beginning January 1, 2011, a person may not manufacture, process, or knowingly sell, offer for sale, distribute for sale, or distribute for use any of the following: (1) a mattress, mattress pad, an article of furniture, or any other product intended for indoor residential use if the product has a textile component containing decaBDE; or (2) a television, computer, or other electronic device if the exterior casing of the devices contains decaBDE. Provides that this prohibition does not apply to certain items. Sets forth manufacturer and retailer responsibilities with respect to such products. Provides that the Agency may participate in the establishment and implementation of a regional, multistate clearinghouse to assist in carrying out the requirements of the Act and to help coordinate education and outreach activities, review hazard and alternatives assessments, and any other activities related to the administration of the Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Requires the University of Illinois to create and maintain a fiduciary college for the purpose of educating pension fund, retirement system, and investment board members and staffs on ethics, fiduciary duty, investment issues, and any other curriculum. Requires all board members of any fund created under the Code, except those created under the Downstate Police and Downstate Fire Articles, to attend training of at least 8 hours per year at the Illinois Fiduciary College. Provides that downstate police and fire pension funds may opt to participate in these classes, and in doing so, board members shall fulfill any requirements for training otherwise required by the Code. Effective immediately.
Creates the Child-Safe Chemicals Act. Establishes the Children's Health Advisory Panel. Requires the Panel's members to serve without compensation and to possess knowledge and expertise in fields relevant to children's health, chemical exposure, and risk assessment. Requires the Panel to recommend, no later than January 1, 2011, a pilot program for addressing chemicals that pose a threat to children's health based on potential exposure to children from children's products. Requires that the pilot program (i) identify chemicals that pose a threat to children's health based on potential exposure, (ii) establish limits for those chemicals in children's products, (iii) identify safer alternatives to those chemicals and create incentives for the development of those alternatives, (iv) ensure appropriate access to all information related to the effects of a chemical substance on children's health, and (v) inform consumers about chemicals that pose a threat to children's health. Requires the Panel to use the recommended pilot program to analyze 5 chemicals, selected jointly by the Directors of the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, that may pose a threat to children's health based on potential exposure to children from children's products. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Authorizes the Agency, acting either individually or in concert with other states or government entities, to maintain or participate in a clearinghouse for information pertaining to the presence of, the hazardous traits associated with, and the potential for human and environmental health effects of (i) chemicals in consumer products and (ii) known or potential alternatives to those chemicals. Requires clearinghouse information to be made available to the public on the Internet. Effective immediately.
Honors our esteemed colleague, Illinois State Representative Mark Walker, for his dedicated service to the people of the State of Illinois.
Amends the General Obligation Bond Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Uniform Arbitration Act. Provides that rules applicable to the dispute include deciding the dispute in accordance with rules of law chosen by the parties, but if none is chosen, the arbitrators shall apply the law under conflict of law rules considered applicable by the arbitrators. Provides that the decision shall be made according to the strict rules of law, unless another standard is authorized by the parties. Provides that the decision shall be based upon the contract and shall take into account usages of the trade applicable to the transaction.
Creates the Illinois Innovation Zone Act. Specifies the criteria for an area to qualify as an Innovation Zone. Contains provisions concerning the creation of Zones by a municipality or county. Contains provisions concerning the application of a county or municipality to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for certification of a Zone. Contains provisions concerning the amendment and decertification of Zones. Contains provisions concerning the adoption of tax increment financing. Specifies the powers and duties of the Department. Contains provisions concerning State incentives regarding public services and physical infrastructure. Contains provisions concerning Zone administration. Contains provisions concerning (1) income tax deductions, and (2) State and local regulatory alternatives. Contains provisions concerning loans made under specified provisions of the Act. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Innovation Zone Loan Fund as a special fund in the State treasury and specifies the purpose of the Fund. Contains provisions concerning (1) the construction of specified provisions of the Act, (2) the confidentiality of specified materials, (3) the annual report from the Department to specified parties, and (4) the use of federal moneys. Creates the Illinois Innovation Council and specifies its responsibilities, powers, and duties. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act to add provisions concerning tax credits for businesses located in a Zone. Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to add specified exemptions concerning Zones.
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. With respect to Illinois Veteran grants and Illinois National Guard and Naval Militia grants, provides that a person who otherwise qualifies for a grant may relinquish his or her entitlement to the grant and instead transfer that entitlement to his or her spouse, natural child, legally adopted child, or step-child. Effective July 1, 2009.