Rep. Eddie Washington

Recognizing the first week of February in 2005 and each subsequent year as Oprah Winfrey Week.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code with respect to traffic stop statistical studies. Provides that if a local law enforcement agency neglects or fails to transmit its statistical data in a timely manner or neglects or fails to accurately compile and submit data, then the Department of Transportation shall impose an administrative fine against the local law enforcement agency in an amount to be determined by the Department, by rule, with the amount of the fine based on the population of the jurisdiction of the local law enforcement agency. The amounts collected as fines shall be deposited into the Traffic and Criminal Conviction Surcharge Fund to be used by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to provide racial and ethnic sensitivity training to law enforcement personnel. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a member of the armed forces of the United States, other than a reserve component, on active duty on the due date of any installment of taxes due under the Property Tax Code shall not be deemed delinquent in the payment of the installment until 90 days after the due date or, if the member is deployed outside the continental United States, 90 days after the member is redeployed to the continental United States. Provides that members of the reserve components of the armed forces of the United States or members of the National Guard who are on active duty shall not be deemed delinquent in the payment of the installment until 90 days (now, 30 days) after the member returns from active duty. Deletes provisions concerning an amnesty period in Cook County for certain National Guard members for taxes on homestead property due and payable in 1991 or 1992. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that all automotive repairers and rebuilders shall, in addition to meeting the requirements of the Vehicle Code provision, provide proof of compliance with the Automotive Collision Repair Act.

Creates the Identity Theft Notification Act. Requires any data collector that owns or uses personal information in any form that includes personal information concerning an Illinois resident, to disclose any breach of the security of the system following discovery or notification of the breach in the security of the data, without regard for whether the data has been accessed by an unauthorized third party for legal or illegal purposes. Provides that notice may be provided in one of the following ways: (1) written notice; (2) electronic notice; or (3) substitute notice if the person or business demonstrates that the cost of providing notice would exceed $250,000, or the affected class of persons to be notified exceeds 500,000, or the person or business does not have sufficient contact information. Provides a private right of action for a violation of the Act.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Abolishes authority for rating organizations. Requires insurance companies to file their own rates with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Prohibits rate changes exceeding 15% without adequate justification and establishes criteria for justification. Expands the scope of rate regulation under Article XXIX to include all property and casualty insurance. Effective immediately.

Urges the Attorney General of the State of Illinois to investigate the failure of some law enforcement agencies to compile and transmit statistical data relevant to traffic stops.

Amends the Counties Code. Authorizes counties to impose a tax upon all persons engaged in the county in the business of selling cigarettes at retail on the gross receipts from the retail sales of cigarettes made in the course of business within the county. Provides that the tax may be imposed, in half-cent increments, at a rate not exceeding $0.05 per cigarette. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall collect and enforce the tax and any related penalties. Sets forth procedures for the administration and collection of the tax. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Mourns the passing of Leroy Percy Jones of Waukegan, Illinois.