Amends the State Facilities Closure Act. Provides that the Act applies to all State facilities (now, a facility must be the primary work station for 25 or more State employees).
Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Subject to appropriations, requires the Department to pay veterans service organizations for services provided by veterans service officers in processing claims and other benefits for veterans and their spouses or other beneficiaries residing in Illinois. Requires payment at the rate of $0.010 for each dollar of benefits obtained for veterans or their spouses or other beneficiaries. Sets forth criteria that a veterans service organization must meet.
Creates the National Guard Veterans Exposure to Hazardous Materials Act. Provides that on and after October 1, 2007, the Adjutant General shall assist any member of the Illinois National Guard who served in the Persian Gulf War or in an area designated as a combat zone by the President of the United States during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom who (i) has been assigned a risk level I, II, or III for depleted uranium exposure by his or her branch of service, (ii) is referred by a military physician, or (iii) has reason to believe that he or she was exposed to depleted uranium during such service, in obtaining federal treatment services, including a best practice health screening test for exposure to depleted uranium. Provides that no State funds shall be used to pay for such tests or other federal treatment services. Requires the Adjutant General to submit a report to the General Assembly by October 1, 2007. Creates a task force to: (1) initiate a health registry for veterans and military personnel returning from Afghanistan, Iraq, or other countries in which depleted uranium or other hazardous materials may be found; (2) develop a plan for outreach to and follow-up of military personnel; (3) prepare a report for service members concerning potential exposure to depleted uranium and other toxic chemical substances and the precautions recommended under combat and noncombat conditions while in a combat zone; and (4) make other recommendations. Requires the task force to submit a report to the General Assembly by January 31, 2008, and terminates the task force on the date that it submits the report or on January 31, 2008, whichever is earlier. Effective immediately.
Amends the Circuit Courts Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the judicial circuits.
Congratulates Dr. David Ginsburg of Highland Park on his retirement.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that any towing service that tows or removes a disabled vehicle with the permission of the owner, operator, or person in control of the vehicle shall provide that person with a document, signed by both the driver of the tow truck and that person, that sets forth specified information, including the estimated cost of the tow. Provides that violation of the provision is a petty offense punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000. Provides that the provision applies only in counties having a population of more than 3,000,000 and in counties with a population of more than 250,000 and less than 3,000,000 that are contiguous to a county with a population of more than 3,000,000. Effective immediately.
Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. In a provision prohibiting a parent or guardian from knowingly authorizing or permitting any person under the age of 21 years from using alcoholic liquor by failing to control access to either the residence or the alcoholic liquor maintained in the residence, provides that where a violation of the provision directly or indirectly results in bodily harm to any person, the person violating this provision shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony. Provides that nothing in the provision shall be construed to prohibit the giving of alcoholic liquor to a person under the age of 21 years in observation of a religious holiday (now, only a person under the age of 21 years in the performance of a religious ceremony or service). Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may defer the expiration of the driver's license of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or of the spouse or a dependent child living with a member of the Armed Forces, for an additional 90 (rather than 45) days after that member of the Armed Forces has completed active duty service outside of the State of Illinois. Effective immediately.
Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that, on or after January 1, 2008, no person shall sell a gift certificate that is subject to (i) an expiration date or (ii) a post-purchase fee. Provides that the face value of a gift certificate, issued on or after January 1, 2008, may not be reduced in value and the holder of a gift certificate may not be penalized in any way for non-use or untimely redemption of the gift certificate. Effective January 1, 2008.
Creates the Internet Safety Education Act to inform and protect students from inappropriate or illegal communications and solicitation and to require school districts to provide education about Internet threats and risks. Creates the Internet Safety Education Alliance under the authority of the Office of the Attorney General. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Internet Safety Education Fund. Amends the School Code to mandate the provision by every public school of instruction and discussion on effective methods by which students may recognize and report inappropriate, illegal, or threatening communications on the Internet on or before the start of the 2008-2009 school year.
