Rep. Jack D. Franks

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the unlawful use of weapons.

Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning definitions.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption, under which an exemption from the property's value is granted for residential property that is owned and occupied as a residence by a veteran for the tax year in which the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. In a Section concerning the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, provides that in all counties (now, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants), the county board may by resolution provide that if a person has been granted the homestead exemption, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption. In a Section concerning the alternative general homestead exemption, extends the alternative exemption by an additional 3 years. Provides that the maximum amount of the exemption is $60,000 if the general assessment year for the property is 2006 or later. Provides that the base year for counties other than Cook County is the 2005 or 2006 tax year. Provides that, to subject itself to the provisions of the alternative general homestead exemption, a county must adopt an ordinance to that effect within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning audits of public utilities.

Amends the Limited Liability Company Act. Imposes personal liability on a member or manager of a limited liability company, who, with knowledge of the dissolution of that company, creates liability for the limited liability company by an act that is not appropriate for the winding up of the company's business, to the company or any third party for any damage to the company or third party arising from the liability.

Creates the Prescription Drug Ethical Marketing Act. Requires every manufacturer and labeler that sells prescription drugs in the State to disclose to the Director of Public Health the value, nature, and purpose of any gift, fee, payment, subsidy, or other economic benefit provided in connection with detailing or promotional or other marketing activities by the company, directly or through its pharmaceutical marketers, to any physician, hospital, nursing home, pharmacist, health benefit plan administrator, or any other person in the State authorized to prescribe or dispense prescription drugs. Requires the Director to report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the disclosures. Provides exceptions to the disclosures. Provides for injunctive relief and civil penalties for failure to disclose. Provides that the civil penalties collected under the Act shall be deposited into the Prescription Drug Ethical Marketing Fund, which is created as a special fund in the State treasury, to be used for enforcement of the Act. Amends the State Finance Act to reflect the creation of the Prescription Drug Ethical Marketing Fund.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that grand and petit jurors shall receive an amount equal to minimum wage for 8 hours of work for each day of necessary attendance at court as jurors (now, jurors receive $4 per day in first class counties, $5 per day in second class counties, and $10 per day in third class counties, or a higher amount as fixed by the county board). Amends the States Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code and the Counties Code. Provides that it is a State's Attorney's duty to notify the State Superintendent of Education upon the conviction of any individual known to possess a certificate issued under the School Code of any of certain offenses or any other felony conviction. In the criminal history records check provisions of the School Code, makes changes concerning the offenses for which a school board may not knowingly employ a person. Provides that no one may be certified to teach or supervise in the public schools who has been convicted of certain offenses (instead of providing that in determining good character, any felony conviction of an applicant may be taken into consideration, but such a conviction shall not operate as a bar to registration). In provisions concerning suspension or revocation of a certificate, provides that the State Superintendent of Education has the exclusive authority to initiate the suspension of up to 5 calendar years or revocation of any certificate (instead of providing that a certificate may be suspended for a period not to exceed one calendar year by the regional superintendent of schools or for a period not to exceed 5 calendar years by the State Superintendent). With respect to certificate suspension and revocation, makes changes concerning an investigation, notice, a hearing, an appeal, and the offenses that are grounds for suspension and revocation. Makes other changes.