Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that, if a minor violates the provisions prohibiting minors from possessing any cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, or tobacco in any of its forms, the court may in its discretion, and upon recommendation by the State's Attorney, order the minor and his or her parents or legal guardian to attend a smoker's education or youth diversion program if that program is available in the jurisdiction where the offender resides. Provides that attendance at a smoker's education or youth diversion program shall be time-credited against any community service time imposed for a violation of the provision prohibiting tobacco possession by a minor. Imposes several penalties for a violation of the provision prohibiting tobacco possession by a minor. Amends the Sale of Tobacco to Minors Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Minors Act. Prohibits the possession of tobacco by minors and makes violation a petty offense. Amends other Acts to change references to the short title of the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Minors Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Creates the offense of criminal street gang recruitment of a minor. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she threatens the use of physical force to coerce, solicit, recruit, or induce another person to join or remain a member of a criminal street gang, or conspires to do so, whether or not such threat is communicated in person, by means of the Internet, or by means of a telecommunications device. Provides that the penalty is a Class 1 felony.
Amends the Department of State Police Law and the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, the Illinois Police Training Act, and the Missing Persons Identification Act. With respect to the State Police's missing endangered senior alert system: (i) refers to the alerts as "Silver" Alerts; (ii) requires that the Department coordinate with the Department of Transportation and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency in the public dissemination of the alerts and the promotion of the system; and (iii) requires that local law enforcement agencies provide for prompt use of Silver Alerts and public dissemination of photographs of missing endangered seniors. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code. For counties under 3,000,000 inhabitants, sets forth specific items that must be included in the notice sent to taxpayers whose assessment has changed. Requires disclosure of information concerning access to databases containing the physical characteristics of the property. Requires the board of review in those counties to make its rules and procedures publicly available, and requires the chief county assessment officer to provide a plain-English explanation of equalization factors. Effective January 1, 2010.
Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Increases the income limitation under the Act to $55,000 (instead of $50,000) beginning in 2009. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the maximum income limitation under the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption is the income limitation set forth in the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Creates the Innovation, Intervention, and Restructuring Task Force for the purpose of developing strategies to allow for the innovation, intervention, and restructuring of schools, including those that need comprehensive or focused intervention. Requires the task force to submit its strategies for allowing intervention and innovation, in the form of recommendations, in a comprehensive report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the State Superintendent of Education not later than December 31, 2009. Effective immediately.
Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Central Management Services, in cooperation with the Department of Human Services, to develop and implement plans to increase the number of individuals with a disability employed by State government and to submit an annual report. Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in cooperation with not-for-profit groups and community partners, to develop and implement an education and outreach campaign designed to increase statewide awareness of issues that affect individuals with a disability. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to collect information during the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 regarding employers claims of the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit and to submit an annual report. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that a chief procurement officer may, as part of any solicitation, encourage prospective vendors to consider hiring qualified individuals with a disability and to notify them of any available financial incentives or other advantages associated with hiring such persons. Effective immediately.
Amends the Public University Energy Conservation Act. Provides that "energy conservation measure" includes construction of a new building or facility that is designed to reduce energy consumption or operating costs.
Urges the President of the United States and Congress to work together with the State of Illinois to ensure the viability of the Chrysler plant in Belvidere.
Honors Sgt. Eric J. Weber of Rockford for his service to his community and his country.