Rep. Mike Boland

Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. In provisions concerning the pharmaceutical assistance program, provides that beginning on July 1, 2008, for Eligibility Group 1, "covered prescription drug" includes any agent or drug added by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services within the therapeutic categories of antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the State Finance Act. Provides for the issuance of In God We Trust license plates for an additional charge of $40 at initial issuance and at renewal. Provides that $15 of the original issuance fee and $2 of the renewal fee shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that $25 of the original issuance fee and $38 of the renewal fee shall be deposited into the 21st Century Scholarship Program Fund, a new special fund in the State treasury. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be appropriated to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for community college scholarships under a program to be established by the Commission with specified requirements. Effective immediately.

Amends the Conveyances Act. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning deeds, mortgages, and other instruments.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning arbitration of medical malpractice disputes.

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 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.

Creates the Mortgage Steering Act. Prohibits mortgage loan steering or other specified fee and loan practices, based upon (i) the borrower's credit history, (ii) the borrower's capacity to repay the loan, and (iii) the property on which the loan is secured, because of that borrower’s race, gender, age, disability, or national origin. Provides that the Attorney General shall enforce the Act and grants the Attorney General the additional listed enforcement powers. Provides for injunctive relief, restitution, and civil penalties for violations of the Act. Provides that a person who suffers actual damages as a result of a violation of the Act by a lender may bring an action against that lender and may be awarded actual economic damages or any other relief that the court deems proper. Provides that any waiver or modification of the rights, provisions, or remedies of the Act shall be void and unenforceable.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. With respect to the Monetary Award Program, provides that the maximum grant amount must not exceed $5,468 for fiscal year 2009, $5,968 for fiscal year 2010, and $6,468 for fiscal year 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter (instead of $4,968). Provides that the maximum grant amount for students not subject to this provision must be increased by the same percentage as any increase made by law to such provision. Removes the provision that limits the grant amount to an amount that equals 2 semesters or 3 quarters tuition and fees. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that if a defendant is accused of child pornography or aggravated child pornography or the defendant is accused of first degree murder or second degree murder when the commission of the offense involves sexual penetration or sexual conduct, evidence of the defendant's commission of another such offense or evidence to rebut that proof or an inference from that proof, may be admissible (if that evidence is otherwise admissible under the rules of evidence) and may be considered for its bearing on any matter to which it is relevant. Provides that (1) testimony by the victim of an out of court statement made by the victim that he or she complained of such act to another; and (2) testimony of an out of court statement made by the victim describing any complaint of such act or matter or detail pertaining to any act which is an element of an offense which is the subject of a prosecution for a sexual or physical act against that victim are admissible as exceptions to the hearsay rule in prosecutions for any sex offense as defined in the Sex Offender Registration Act.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Gives the annuitant trustee the right to vote on any and all actions before the board of trustees and increases from 4 to 5 the number of concurring votes necessary for every decision or action by the board of trustees. Effective immediately.