Rep. Esther Golar

Amends the Renter's Financial Responsibility and Protection Act. Provides for a uniform limit on the amount per day that the renter of a vehicle may be charged for collision damage waivers (rather than providing a limit that is lower than the uniform limit amount if the rental vehicle type has a suggested retail price of $30,000 or less and a limit that is higher than the uniform limit amount if the rental vehicle type has a suggested retail price of more than $30,000). Provides for a $1 increase in the limit amount, beginning on January 1, 2008, and an additional increase of $1 on each second subsequent January 1, through January 1, 2016.

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Requires that a special government agent file his or her statement of economic interests within 60 days after assuming responsibilities as a special government agent (now, within 30 days after making an ex parte communication). Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Prohibits all State employees from obtaining State contracts (now, those earning more than 60% of the Governor's compensation). Requires that a waiver from the prohibition against obtaining State contracts must be filed within the earlier of 60 days after it is issued or when contract performance begins, and provides that the contract is voidable if the waiver is not filed within that period. Effective immediately.

Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. In a provision concerning eligibility for grants under the Act, increases the household income eligibility limitations for grant year 2006, and provides that, for grant years 2007 and thereafter, the limitations shall be increased annually by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the previous calendar year. Effective immediately.

Creates the Consumer Protection Against Computer Spyware Act. Sets forth provisions for unauthorized collection or culling of personally identifiable information, unauthorized access to or modifications of computer settings and computer damage, unauthorized interference with installation or disabling computer software, and other prohibited conduct. Provides that certain persons may bring a civil action against a violator of the Act. Provides a civil penalty for violations of the Act. Permits the Attorney General to obtain a restraining order or injunction for violations of the Act.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that a prosecution for theft of property exceeding $100,000 in value, identity theft, aggravated identity theft, or any violation of the Illinois Financial Crime Law may be commenced within 10 years of the last act committed in furtherance of the crime.

Amends the Grow Our Own Teacher Education Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Grow Your Own Teacher Act. Defines "developmental classes" and makes changes to the definition of "parent and community leaders" and "schools serving a substantial percentage of low-income students". Replaces references to "student" and "participant" with "candidate" throughout the Act. Provides that the State Board shall establish criteria that address the inclusion in the planned program of strategies derived from community organizing that will help candidates develop tools for working with parents and other community members. Provides for partial loan forgiveness for shortened periods of service in hard-to-staff schools or hard-to-staff teaching positions. Provides that school districts may use those portions of the grant money designated for the expenses of supporting the work experiences of candidates and providing mentors for graduates or other applicable public funds to pay participants in programs under the initiative for student teaching required by an accredited teacher preparation program. Provides that one member of the consortium may expend funds to cover the salary of a site-based cohort coordinator and that grant funds may be expended to pay directly for required developmental classes for candidates beginning a program. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2007.

Amends the Employee Benefit Contribution Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the failure to make payments to an employee health insurance plan.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the transportation of pupils.

Amends the Teacher Certification Article of the School Code. With respect to an early childhood certificate, provides that the student teaching portion of the practical experience requirement may involve supervised work with children under 6 years of age or with children in kindergarten through grade 3 or both. Provides that persons who have been employed for at least one year in their current early childhood program in a public or private school or a community-based entity, including paraprofessionals enrolled in teacher preparation programs, may be paid and receive credit while student teaching with their current employer, provided that their student teaching experience meets the requirements of their teacher preparation program.

Amends the Identity Theft Law of the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that identity theft also occurs when a person knowingly: (1) uses any personal identification information or personal identification document of another to portray himself or herself as that person, or otherwise, for the purpose of gaining access to any personal identification information or personal identification document of that person, without the prior express permission of that person, or (2) uses any personal identification information or personal identification document of another for the purpose of gaining access to any record of the actions taken, communications made or received, or other activities or transactions of that person, without the prior express permission of that person. Provides that where a person has been convicted of this form of identity theft, in the absence of proof of actual damages, the person whose personal identification information or personal identification documents were used in the violation in question may recover damages of $2,000. Provides that it is no defense to a charge of aggravated identity theft or identity theft that the offender received the consent of any person to access any personal identification information or personal identification document, other than the person described by the personal identification information or personal identification document used by the offender. Establishes exemptions to violations of the Identity Theft Law. Effective immediately.