Rep. Elaine Nekritz

Creates the Interpreter for the Deaf Licensure Act of 2006 to replace the Interpreters for the Deaf Act. Provides for the regulation of interpreters for the deaf through licensure by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission. Establishes the Board of Interpreters and provides for evaluation teams. Preempts home rule. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Interpreters for the Deaf Fund. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure to add a provision concerning privileged communications involving interpreters for the hearing impaired. Repeals the Interpreters for the Deaf Act.

Amends the Brominated Fire Retardant Prevention Act. Prohibits the manufacturing, processing, and distribution into commerce of a product or flame-retarded part of a product containing more than one-tenth of 1% of decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) by mass after January 1, 2008. Permits the processing of recycled material containing decaBDE.

Amends the Life Care Facilities Act. Provides that each resident of a life care facility is entitled to receive from the provider of services under a life care contract a copy of the provider's proposed annual budget that is used by the provider as a basis for an increase in the monthly fees to be charged the resident.

Amends the Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act. Provides that a home rule unit of local government or any municipality in this State may regulate smoking in public places. Provides that this regulation must be no less restrictive than the regulation in the Act. Changes the home rule limitation from an absolute preemption to a limitation on the concurrent exercise of home rule power. Maintains the exemption from home rule requirements for home rule units that passed ordinances regulating smoking before October 1, 1989. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers.

Creates the Public Utility Lease Indemnification for Negligence Act. Provides that every lease, contract, covenant, or agreement in connection with any lease of real property by a public utility to a local public entity that purports to exempt the lessor public utility from liability for damages for injuries to any person or property, including any claims asserted under environmental laws, caused by or resulting from the negligence or the lessor public utility, or its agents, servants, or employees, in the ownership, operation, or maintenance of the demised premises or the real property containing the demised premises, shall be deemed to be void against public policy and wholly unenforceable. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person riding a bicycle is an intended and permitted user of any highway in Illinois except for a highway on which bicycle use has been specifically prohibited by law and the prohibition is indicated by appropriate signage. Provides that the new language does not create liability for any public entity for the failure to remedy any surface condition of a highway that is hazardous to a person riding a bicycle if that surface condition is not hazardous to a passenger car. Provides that, except as expressly provided by law, the new language does not impose an obligation to further improve existing highways or to maintain them to a higher standard for bicyclists.

Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Deletes provisions that, in order to receive allocations under the Act, road districts must levy a tax for road and bridge purposes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act. Authorizes the creation and use of a stormwater working cash fund. Effective immediately.

Congratulates The Lake View Korean Presbyterian Church on the occasion of its 30th anniversary.

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Replaces the term "pet shop operator" with "animal caretaker" throughout the Act. Provides that licensees under the Act shall provide for their animals a sufficient quantity of good quality, wholesome food and water, adequate shelter and protection from the weather, annual and necessary veterinary care, and a stimulating and enriching environment. Provides that an individual who violates any provision of the Act or a Department rule or order is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor (now, a Class C misdemeanor). Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Changes the definition of "companion animal hoarder". Provides that each owner or animal caretaker shall provide for each of his or her animals annual veterinary care, sanitary conditions, proper ventilation, and a stimulating and enriching environment. Provides that a person convicted of violating the Section of the Act concerning owner's and animal caretaker's duties is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor (now, a Class B misdemeanor). Also, adds definitions. Effective immediately.