Amends the Election Code. Changes the number of petition signatures required by an independent candidate to the same number required by a candidate of a political party for nomination to the particular office (now, various larger percentages of numbers of voters).
Amends the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004. Provides that no person may practice veterinary medicine in the State except within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Changes the definition of "veterinarian-client-patient relationship" to include a licensed veterinarian who has access to the animal patient's records and has been designated by the veterinarian with the prior relationship with the animal patient to provide reasonable and appropriate medical care if he or she is unavailable. Adds exemptions from the Act for certain specified persons. Requires a veterinarian to maintain patient records, which shall include certain specified information, for a minimum of 5 years from the date of the last known contact with an animal patient. Increases the maximum civil penalty allowed for a violation of the Act from $5,000 to $10,000. Makes several changes to the definition of "practice of veterinary medicine". Makes changes to the definitions of "accredited program in veterinary technology", "certified veterinary technician", and "complementary, alternative, and integrative therapies". Defines "immediate supervision", "licensed veterinarian", "veterinary premises", "veterinary prescription drugs", and "veterinary specialist". Replaces all references in the Act to "Director" with "Secretary". Makes other changes. Also makes technical changes. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal date of the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 from January 1, 2014 to January 1, 2020. Effective immediately.
Amends several Acts that regulate the medical and healthcare professions. In a provision in those Acts concerning fee-splitting or directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from certain persons or entities any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for any professional services not actually or personally rendered, provides that the provision does not prohibit contractual or employment arrangements with health care professionals or providers, such as physicians, physician practices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, or other entities, except as otherwise prohibited by law. Provides that contractual and employment arrangements with health care professionals or providers may include arrangements for compensation, use of space, staff, equipment, health insurance, pension, or other benefits for the provision of services within the scope of the licensee's practice under that specific Act. Amends the Medical Practice Act. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits physicians, physician practices, or entities authorized by law to employ physicians from also employing other licensed health care workers and other persons. Effective immediately.
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that when a court appearance is required for an alleged violation of the Criminal Code of 1961, the Illinois Vehicle Code, the Wildlife Code, the Fish and Aquatic Life Code, the Child Passenger Protection Act, or a comparable offense of a unit of local government as specified in Supreme Court Rule 551, and if the accused does not appear in court on the date set for appearance or any date to which the case may be continued and the court issues an arrest warrant for the accused, based upon his or her failure to appear when having so previously been ordered to appear by the court, the accused upon his or her admission to bail shall be assessed by the court a penalty of $75. Provides that the penalty shall be in addition to any bail that the accused is required to deposit for the offense for which the accused has been charged and may not be used for the payment of court costs or fines assessed for the offense. Provides that the clerk of the court shall remit $70 of the penalty assessed to the arresting agency who brings the offender in on the arrest warrant. Provides that the clerk of the court shall remit $5 of the penalty assessed to the Circuit Court Clerk Operation and Administrative Fund.
Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish a business ownership grant and loan program for unemployed individuals. Specifies the purposes for which grant funds may be used. Effective January 1, 2011.
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that 2 or more acts or transactions in violation of certain provisions of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act may be joined in a single count of an indictment, information, or complaint. Amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Subject to appropriation, provides that the Department of Labor shall establish an administrative procedure to adjudicate claims or specific categories of claims. Establishes procedures for an employee who has not been paid the wage the employee is entitled by the Act to recover by filing a claim with the Department or in a civil action, but not both.
Amends the Family Military Leave Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Child Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act. Includes in the definition of "violent offense against youth" aggravated battery of a child, aggravated battery of an unborn child, ritualized abuse of a child, domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery, and heinous battery, if the victim is under 18 years of age. Eliminates from the definition of "violent offense against youth" that the defendant is not a parent of the victim. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that no property owner shall allow any unreasonable obstruction of a designated aisle or parking place specifically reserved for persons with disabilities after 24 hours following the conclusion of an adverse weather event. Provides that no property owner shall allow the accumulation of debris or large objects, such as trash containers, to unreasonably obstruct any designated aisle or parking place specifically reserved for persons with disabilities without providing suitable and equivalent alternative parking spaces on-site. Provides that a person who violates these provisions shall be guilty of a petty offense and pay fine of not more than $250. Effective January 1, 2011.
Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that, in addition to other provisions, the Department on Aging shall increase the effectiveness of the existing Community Care Program by ensuring that the determination of need tool accurately reflects the service needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia disorders. Effective immediately.
