Rep. Jack D. Franks

Amends the Election Code. Requires that a special election be held to fill a vacancy in the office of United States Senator occurring 90 or more days before the general primary immediately preceding the general election at which the office is regularly scheduled to be filled. Requires a temporary gubernatorial appointment for any vacancy in the office of United States Senator until the vacancy is filled at the special election or the general election at which the office is regularly scheduled to be filled. (Now, the vacancy is filled by a temporary gubernatorial appointment until filled by election at the next general election.)

Creates the Joint Committee on Government Reform to stand ready to work with the Governor and others to restore integrity to State government.

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates a non-appropriated Fund, the Minority Film Support Fund, to be administered by the State Treasurer to help collateralize loans from financial institutions to minority film makers producing films or building or maintaining minority film and television studios when the institution's credit standards would not otherwise be met.

Designates Illinois Route 173 as the 173rd Airborne Brigade Highway in honor of the brave men and women of the United States Army 173rd Airborne Brigade.

Creates the Illinois Act Limiting Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation. Makes legislative findings: there has been a disturbing increase in lawsuits brought to chill the rights of freedom of speech and petition for the redress of grievances; such lawsuits, called "Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation" or "SLAPPS", are typically dismissed as groundless or unconstitutional but not before the defendants are put to expense and harassment; it is in the public interest for citizens to participate in matters of public concern without fear of reprisal through the judicial process; and expedited judicial review would avoid this abuse. Provides that the Act applies to any claim based on an action involving public participation and petition which includes: any statement made or document submitted, in a legislative, executive, or judicial proceeding or concerning an issue under review by a legislative, executive, or judicial proceeding. Provides that the Act shall not apply to any action brought by the Attorney General, a State's Attorney, or a municipal attorney, acting as a public prosecutor. Provides that a party may file a special motion to strike any claim by showing that the claim is based on an action involving public participation. Provides that if the moving party meets this burden, the burden shifts to the responding party to establish a probability of prevailing on the claim. Provides that the court shall award a moving party who prevails on a special motion to strike costs of litigation and any reasonable attorney's fees and additional relief, including sanctions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Housing Authorities 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 HVAC affiliate marketing.

Amends the Safe Bottled Water Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title of the Act.

Appropriates $5,000,000 each from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for programs concerning solar electric generation and wind electric generation. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.