Rep. Carolyn H. Krause

Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Requires that the economic impact analysis for a proposed rule affecting small businesses be prepared by the agency promulgating the rule (now, the Business Assistance Office of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity). Requires each agency to perform periodic reviews of its rules in order to evaluate their affect upon small businesses.

Amends the Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Law of 1997 in the Public Utilities Act. Creates an electric procurement process that shall be administered by an independent Procurement Administrator and overseen by an independent Procurement Monitor. Provides that a utility shall obtain an independent Procurement Administrator that shall design and administer the request-for-proposal procurement process that shall be approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Specifies the duties of the Procurement Administrator and Procurement Monitor. Provides that the fees of the Procurement Administrator and Procurement Monitor shall be paid through fees assessed to the bidders. Specifies the procedures of the request-for-proposal procurement process. Provides that the Procurement Administrator and Procurement Monitor shall establish a price benchmark according to specified criteria. Contains provisions concerning the required reports from the Procurement Administrator and Procurement Monitor to the Commission. Contains the procedures for the Commission to approve or disapprove the reports submitted to it by the Procurement Administrator and Procurement Monitor. Provides that within 5 business days after the Commission's decision to approve the results of a procurement event, the utility shall enter into binding contractual arrangements with the winning suppliers using the standard form contracts. Provides that a utility shall file its proposed tariffs with the Commission through which its costs of procuring power for the applicable customer classes that are incurred pursuant to a Commission-approved procurement event will be recovered. Provides that if the prices of the request-for-proposal procurement process results in an increase in electric rates of more than 10%, then the utilities shall be required to give written notification to the public at least 60 days prior to the increase taking effect. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that it is a Class 4 felony for a child sex offender to knowingly provide programs or services exclusively directed towards persons under the age of 18 in the child sex offender's residence.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Allows an income tax credit in an amount equal to 15% of the premium costs paid for a qualified long-term care insurance contract covering the individual taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse, parent, or dependent. Provides that the credit may not exceed $200 with respect to any qualified long-term care insurance contract. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Exempts the credit from the sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Creates the Judicial Campaign Reform Act and amends the Election Code, the State Finance Act, the Illinois Income Tax Act, and the Clerks of Courts Act. Creates a voluntary program of public financing of election campaigns for the offices of judges of the Illinois Supreme Court and Appellate Courts, administered by the State Board of Elections. Establishes funding mechanisms and provides penalties for violations. Sets mandatory contribution limits with respect to all judicial election campaigns. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2009.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning State goals and assessment.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In connection with the medical assistance program, provides that on and after July 1, 2008, the minimum inpatient per diem rate to be paid to a hospital for psychiatric services shall be no less than the highest per diem base rate established by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for any hospital that newly qualifies to deliver psychiatric inpatient services on or after December 31, 2006. Effective immediately.

Amends the Shaken Baby Prevention Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Mourns the death of former State Representative and State Senator Virginia Macdonald of Arlington Heights.

Creates the War on Terrorism Veterans Act. Provides that a memorial honoring persons who earned the Southwest Asia Service Medal serving in either Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom may be constructed by a private entity on a portion of the State property in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Effective immediately.