Rep. Elaine Nekritz

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Permits a State agency to renew or extend a lease of real property or capital improvements without using the request for information selection process if it is in the State's best interest and the Procurement Policy Board does not object (now, permitted only for renewal or extension of leases in effect before July 1, 2002). Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that any towing service that tows or removes a disabled vehicle with the permission of the owner, operator, or person in control of the vehicle shall provide that person with a document, signed by both the driver of the tow truck and that person, that sets forth specified information, including the estimated cost of the tow. Provides that violation of the provision is a petty offense punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000. Provides that the provision applies only in counties having a population of more than 3,000,000 and in counties with a population of more than 250,000 and less than 3,000,000 that are contiguous to a county with a population of more than 3,000,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Under the Medicaid program, authorizes the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to provide for the services of persons licensed as a clinical social worker in supplying medical assistance. Prohibits the Department's rules from requiring that services for a specific Medicaid recipient provided by a licensed clinical social worker be recommended by a physician. Effective immediately.

Creates the School Health Center Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to initiate 20 new school health centers over a 5-year period beginning July 1, 2007, and build capacity with existing school health centers in the State. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Stem Cell Initiative of 2007. Contains only a short title provision.

Creates the Illinois Cool Cities Act. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency shall provide technical assistance, if needed, to units of local government in the State that have endorsed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Provides that any unit of local government may request designation as an Illinois Cool City if the unit of local government has (i) endorsed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and (ii) prepared and approved a plan to achieve a 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by the year 2012. Provides for designation of Illinois Cool Cities upon certain findings by the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency. Effective immediately.

Amends the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act. Provides that there shall be no more than 10 birth center alternative health care models in the demonstration program authorized under the Act. Sets forth requirements for the location of the centers and for services and standards of the centers. Requires the Department of Public Health to adopt rules for the operation and research protocols of birth centers. Makes other changes.

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Makes a technical change in a Section regarding the oath of office.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, if a defendant commits reckless homicide upon a public thoroughfare where children pass going to and from school when a school crossing guard is performing official duties, the defendant is guilty of a Class 2 felony. Provides that the defendant, if sentenced to a term of imprisonment, shall be sentenced to (i) not less than 3 years and not more than 14 years if the defendant caused the death of one person or (ii) not less than 6 years and not more than 28 years if the defendant caused the deaths of 2 or more persons as part of a single course of conduct. Creates the offense of aggravated reckless driving where a school crossing guard is performing official duties, a Class 3 felony. Provides that a person commits the offense if he or she drives with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property and as a result causes bodily injury to a child or a school crossing guard while the school crossing guard is performing his or her official duties.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. In the definition of "children with disabilities", provides that an eligible student who requires continued public school educational experience to facilitate his or her successful transition and integration into adult life is eligible for special education services through age 21, inclusive, which, for purposes of the Article, means the day before the student's 22nd birthday. Effective immediately.