Rep. JoAnn D. Osmond

Amends the Counties Code. Authorizes Lake County to establish an affordable housing trust fund. Provides that Lake County may, by ordinance or resolution, provide for an affordable housing trust fund surcharge in the amount of $5 for the recordation of any real estate-related document to fund the affordable housing trust fund. Defines "affordable housing trust fund" and "real estate-related document". Effective immediately.

Creates the Tourism Task Force Act. Creates the Tourism Task Force to provide insight on how to create the best infrastructure for the development of tourism as an economic development tool in Illinois using all pertinent State agencies and the private sector. Provides that the duties of the task force shall include: (i) reviewing and cataloging all policies, programs, procedures, and initiatives in all departments, agencies, bureaus, and commissions of Illinois government that impact the Illinois tourism product, (ii) giving recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor on how to expand, reduce, consolidate, coordinate, or create programs that will aid the people of Illinois and, as a result, increase revenue from the renewable resource of tourism and economic development, (iii) continuing to review all programs, policies, procedures, and initiatives of the departments, agencies, bureaus, and commissions to determine whether recommendations and resulting legislation are achieving the desired positive economic development effect and making new recommendations as necessary, and (iv) filing an annual report with the General Assembly with the findings and recommendations of the task force. Effective immediately.

Amends the Executive Reorganization Implementation Act. Prohibits an executive order of the Governor from (i) establishing or (ii) providing for the administration or operation of a State-based health benefit exchange in Illinois.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for a public employer to refuse to temporarily transfer a pregnant female peace officer, pregnant female fire fighter, or pregnant female employee of a correctional institution or facility (instead of pregnant female peace officer or pregnant female fire fighter) to a less strenuous or hazardous position for the duration of her pregnancy if she so requests, with the advice of her physician, where that transfer can be reasonably accommodated.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Defines "debt service extension base" for school districts (i) that were first subject to the Code in 1991 or 1995 and whose extension for the 1994 levy year for the payment of principal and interest on bonds issued by the school district without referendum (but not including excluded non-referendum bonds) was less than 51% of the amount for the 1991 levy year constituting an extension for payment of principal and interest on bonds issued by the school district without referendum (but not including excluded non-referendum bonds) or (ii) that were first subject to the Code in 1991 or 1995 and had no extensions for either the 1994 or the 1991 levy year for the payment of principal and interest on non-referendum bonds (other than excluded non-referendum bonds). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that any entity that contracts with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, its subsequent agency, or the State to provide managed care to individuals enrolled as clients, beneficiaries, or recipients, who receive medical benefits under the Illinois medical assistance program, must be National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) accredited within 3 years after beginning to provide services under the Illinois medical assistance program, and any such entities engaged in providing managed care or coordinated care under the Illinois medical assistance program on the effective date of this amendatory Act must be NCQA accredited by January 1, 2015.

Amends the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Law. Makes changes concerning the legislative intent of the Law. Sets forth definitions. Establishes the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange as an independent, non-profit entity formed and organized under the laws of the State. Provides that the Exchange shall be a public entity, but shall not be considered a department, institution, or agency of the State. Deletes references to the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Legislative Study Committee and establishes instead the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Legislative Oversight Committee within the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Provides that the governing and administrative powers of the Exchange shall be vested in a body known as the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Board and sets forth provisions concerning appointments, terms, meetings, structure, recusal, budget, and purpose. Sets forth provisions concerning enrollment through brokers and agents and producer compensation. Provides that the Law shall be null and void if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the federal Affordable Care Act in whole or in part. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use of Credit Information in Personal Insurance Act to provide that an insurer authorized to do business in the State that uses credit information to underwrite or rate risks must recalculate the insured's insurance score at the request of the insured, and not more than once annually, in order to determine whether the insured is eligible for a reduction in his or her premium rate.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Deletes language that provides that no construction shall commence on any new nuclear power plant to be located within the State, and no certificate of public convenience and necessity or other authorization shall be issued therefor by the Illinois Commerce Commission, until the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency finds that the United States Government, through its authorized agency, has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste, or until such construction has been specifically approved by a statute enacted by the General Assembly. Deletes the definition of "high level nuclear waste". Effective immediately.

Congratulates Michael J. Waller on his retirement as Lake County State's Attorney.