Rep. JoAnn D. Osmond

Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Under specified circumstances, allows for a maximum of 5 additional charter schools exclusively for truants or dropouts in Chicago if the limit on the number of charter schools that may operate at any one time in the rest of the State has not been reached. Provides that if any of the additional charter schools are not used exclusively for truants or dropouts, then the State Board of Education shall withhold and the charter school shall forfeit all State funding designated for that school.

Creates new Act. Creates the Home Buyer's Protection Lien Act. Provides that a prospective purchaser of a residential dwelling unit in a residential development shall have a lien upon real estate or any interest in that real estate in the amount of his or her deposit advanced to the residential developer under a written instrument to purchase the dwelling unit. Provides that the lien attaches upon the prospective purchaser being otherwise entitled to possession or to receive a substantial benefit under a written instrument for the purchase of a residential dwelling unit and the prospective purchaser recording a notice of lien. Provides requirements for lien contents, serving the lien, filing an action on the lien within 2 years after recording the lien, pleadings, costs, release of lien, and other matters. Provides that prior recorded liens, mortgages, and valid mechanics lien claims have priority over a prospective purchaser's lien.

Amends the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall review and update its operations manuals for the Algonquin Dam and the William G. Stratton Lock and Dam on an annual basis.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Requires each chief county assessment officer in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants to provide to each residential taxpayer a Homestead Assessment Disclosure Document that contains certain disclosures concerning the assessed valuation of homestead property. Requires the Department of Revenue to annually review the disclosures to ensure that they are accurate and that they comply with all applicable laws and rules concerning property valuations. Provides that, if a taxpayer files a complaint before a board of review, then, within 5 days after the complaint is filed, the board of review must provide the taxpayer with a detailed description of the rules and procedures for hearings before the board. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Section of the School Code concerning tuition for non-resident pupils. With respect to the financing of educational services for an Illinois student under the age of 21 in a residential program designed to correct alcohol or other drug dependencies that are provided by the school district in which the facility is located, provides that the cost of educational services shall be paid by the district of the student's residence (instead of providing that the cost of educational services shall be paid by the district in which the student resides in an amount equal to the cost of providing educational services in a treatment facility). Provides that this funding provision applies to all Illinois students receiving educational services, whether placed pursuant to the School Code or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, by court order, or by a State agency or whether the student voluntarily enrolls or is enrolled by a parent or guardian. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 to provide that in instances in which educational services are to be provided to a minor in a residential program designed to correct alcohol or other drug dependencies, costs incurred in the provision of those services must be allocated based on the requirements of the School Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change concerning the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that, if a person is currently serving on active-duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or Reserves and has a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card, or the equivalent from another state, then there is no fee for a hunting license. Requires verification of active-duty service.

Amends the Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Coal Resources Development Law of 1997. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity must develop a program to promote renewable energy and net metering options in the State.

Directs the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability to conduct a review of the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan focusing on the HIPAA Pool, the deficit projections and actuarial estimates for the HIPAA Pool, and the assessments paid by insurance providers.

Amends the Election Code. When a school is chosen for use as a polling place, requires that the school district close that school to students on election day (now, may choose to keep the school open).