Rep. Jack D. Franks

Amends the Downstate Teachers Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires an individual to be a member of the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois before the effective date of the amendatory Act in order for specified service as an officer or employee of a statewide teacher organization or as an officer of a national teacher organization to qualify as service as a teacher under the Code. Provides that any person whose membership in the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois is derived solely from employment as a substitute teacher and employment with a statewide teacher organization shall forfeit service credit in the System. Requires a refund of contributions made by those persons. Effective immediately.

Amends the Veterans' Employment Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning teacher certification.

Amends the State Employees Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the term "employee" does not include any person who becomes a director of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that, beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, the chairman and other directors of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority shall receive no annual salary or other compensation for their service in office, except that they shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Provides that no service or contribution shall be credited in any retirement system or pension fund, under the Illinois Pension Code or otherwise, to the chairman and the directors for service in that office beginning on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, and no public funds shall be appropriated, expended, or otherwise obligated for such a retirement system or pension fund credit. Prohibits the chairman and directors from receiving financial benefit or perquisite for service in that office, including without limitation participation in a program of life or health insurance. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.

Creates the McHenry County Plastic Bag Recycling Act and the McHenry County Plastic Bag Recycling Task Force. Requires the Task Force to promulgate procedures and guidelines implementing a voluntary plastic bag recycling pilot program for retailers in McHenry County. Requires retailers that participate in the voluntary program to comply with certain requirements. Sets out the composition and duties of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force and the Environmental Protection Agency shall collaborate on a report to be submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly by March 1, 2013. Provides that the Act is repealed on June 1, 2013.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that every person who has been twice convicted in any state or federal court of a felony offense that contains the same element of the intentional or knowing infliction of great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement as the felony offense for which the person is now to be sentenced and the current offense was committed after the 2 prior convictions, shall be adjudged an habitual violent offender. Provides that, except when the death penalty is imposed, anyone adjudged a habitual violent offender shall be sentenced to a term of natural life imprisonment.

Amends the Labor Dispute Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning delivery services implementation plans.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the responsibilities of the Department of Children and Family Services under the Act.