Rep. Jack D. Franks

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that unlawful interference with public utility services includes the knowing delay in restoration of the services, as a result of the person's theft of wire used for such services. Provides that if the disruption of the public utility services or the delay in the restoration of the public utility services occurs to 10 or more customers or affects an area of more than one square mile, unlawful interference with public utility services is a Class 2 felony.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code, School Code, Child Passenger Protection Act, and Unified Code of Corrections. Makes various changes regarding: driver education requirements; graduated driver's licenses; instruction permits for minors; curfews for drivers under a specified age; the number of passengers under a specified age allowed in a vehicle driven by a newly licensed driver under a certain age; the use of seat safety belts; the use of wireless telephones by graduated driver's license holders; suspensions of driver's licenses of drivers under age 21 under specified circumstances; required appearances before the presiding judge with a parent or guardian under specified circumstances; vehicle impoundment for drivers arrested for street racing; and other matters. Repeals provisions creating the offense of drag racing. Creates the offenses of street racing and aggravated street racing, and makes conforming changes. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2008, except that the provisions amending the School Code are effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that, in the development of the individualized education program for a student who has a disability on the autism spectrum, the IEP team shall consider and shall specifically address certain factors. Provides that consideration of these factors shall result in the clarification of a school district's responsibility to deliver appropriate educational services for children with disabilities on the autism spectrum, but shall not be construed to require or mandate any specific services. Effective January 1, 2008.

Amends the Election Code. Permits State non-partisan civic organizations that meet certain criteria to appoint precinct pollwatchers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Provides an alternative time for filing a claim: that a crime victim may file a claim within one year after the criminal indictment of a person for a crime upon which the claim is based (now, within 2 years of the crime).

Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Provides that every hospital, fire station, emergency medical facility, and police station that is required to accept a relinquished newborn infant in accordance with the Act must post a sign in a conspicuous place on the exterior of the building housing the facility informing persons that a newborn infant may be relinquished at the facility in accordance with the Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to prescribe specifications for the signs and for their placement that will ensure statewide uniformity. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that, with prior notification to the State's Attorney of the county in which it is to occur, recording or listening with the aid of any device to any conversation taking place within or about any motor vehicle under the control and direction of a law enforcement officer, under circumstances where the use of the device is necessary for the detection or investigation of the theft of that motor vehicle is exempt from the Code's eavesdropping provisions. Requires the Director of State Police to issue regulations as are necessary concerning the use of devices, retention of tape recordings, and reports regarding their use. Provides that any recording or evidence derived as the result of the exemption is inadmissible in any proceeding, criminal, civil, or administrative, except for (i) the theft of the motor vehicle in question, (ii) the commission of any crime taking place within, or otherwise involving the use of, the motor vehicle in question, or (iii) when used as direct impeachment of a witness concerning matters contained in the interception or recording.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that, in a case of foreclosure where the tenant is current on his or her rent, any order of possession must allow the tenant to retain possession of the property covered in his or her rental agreement (i) for 120 days following the notice of the hearing on the supplemental petition that has been properly served upon the tenant, or (ii) through the duration of his or her lease, whichever is shorter. Provides that the exception for continued possession by the tenant only applies if the tenant continues to pay his or her rent in full during the 120-day period.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that an assault, battery, aggravated battery with a firearm, or aggravated battery with a machine gun or a firearm equipped with any device or attachment designed or used for silencing the report of a firearm committed against a private security officer engaged in the execution of his or her official duties, or to prevent the officer from performing his or her official duties, or in retaliation for the officer performing his or her official duties, constitutes aggravated assault, aggravated battery, aggravated battery with a firearm, or aggravated battery with a machine gun or a firearm equipped with any device or attachment designed or used for silencing the report of a firearm with the same penalties as if the offense had been committed against a peace officer.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Provides that when a sex offender registers with the appropriate law enforcement agency, he or she shall provide the law enforcement agency with all e-mail addresses, instant messaging identities, chat room identities, and other Internet communications identities that the sex offender uses or plans to use, all Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) registered or used by the sex offender, and all blogs and other Internet sites maintained by the sex offender or to which the sex offender has uploaded any content or posted any messages or information. Amends the Sex Offender Community Notification Law. Provides for disclosure of such information to the public. Effective immediately.