Rep. Jack D. Franks

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders to the extent that the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders are not already covered by the policy or plan. Provides that this coverage shall be subject to a maximum benefit of $36,000 per year, but shall not be subject to any limits on the number of visits to an autism service provider. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for individual taxpayers who purchase qualified merchandise during the period from 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in August through midnight of the Sunday that follows 9 days later. Sets the amount of the credit at an amount equal to 6.25% of the purchase. Defines "qualified merchandise" as any article of clothing or footwear or computer that is sold at or below certain selling prices. Sets forth criteria for transactions to qualify for the credit. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Effective immediately.

Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that the tax rate for a retailers' occupation tax and other sales taxes imposed by the Regional Transportation Authority shall be 0.50% in McHenry County (now, 0.75%). Provides that all of the proceeds from the Regional Transportation Authority sales taxes collected in McHenry County shall be disbursed to the Regional Transportation Authority. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Treasurer's seal.

Amends the Baccalaureate Savings Act. In a Section concerning the administration of a grant program, provides that while all grants awarded under the program are subject to annual appropriation of funds by the General Assembly, there shall be no expiration date placed on the grants and any person who is denied disbursement of a grant due to a lack of funding shall remain eligible for disbursement of that grant until such time as funding becomes available, provided that he or she properly applies for disbursement of the grant on an annual basis.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a cause of action against a person arising from any act of that person in furtherance of the person's right of petition or free speech under the United States Constitution or Illinois Constitution in connection with a public issue is subject to a special motion to dismiss unless the court determines that the party bringing the action has established that there is a probability that the party will prevail on the claim. Provides for notice, attorney's fees and costs, and appeals. Does not apply to an action brought by the Attorney General, a State's Attorney, or an attorney for a unit of local government acting in an official capacity. Provides that discovery proceedings in the action shall be stayed until notice of entry of the order ruling on the motion unless the court orders that specified discovery be conducted. Provides that the Attorney General shall report to the General Assembly on the frequency and outcome of special motions to dismiss and shall maintain a public record of motions to dismiss and related pleadings and orders transmitted to it by parties to actions.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning tourism.

Amends the Illinois Renewable Fuels Development Program Act. Provides that a grant recipient must be constructing, modifying, altering, or retrofitting a plant that has annual production capacity of no less than 5,000,000 (now, 30,000,000) gallons of renewable fuel per year.

Amends the Mobile Home Local Services Tax Act, the Citizens Utility Board Act, the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act, and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes various changes for the purpose of implementing Executive Order No. 3 of 2004. In connection with senior citizens and disabled persons property tax relief and pharmaceutical assistance: (1) changes references from the Department of Revenue to the Department on Aging; (2) adds provisions concerning (i) applications for benefits, (ii) property tax relief claims, eligibility, amount, and administration, and (iii) pharmaceutical assistance eligibility, beneficiary groups, cost-sharing, covered prescription drugs, payments to pharmacies, and administration; (3) makes changes concerning review of actions or determinations by the Department on Aging or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services; (4) adds provisions concerning the providing of insurance information; and (5) makes other changes. Makes changes concerning motor vehicle registration fees for persons receiving benefits under the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act and special decals for persons with disabilities for parking purposes. Effective immediately.