Rep. Mike Boland

Amends the Election Code. Makes the minimum petition signature requirement for local public questions 6% of the total votes cast for all gubernatorial candidates at the most recent gubernatorial election by the voters of the political subdivision (now, 8% of such votes with respect to questions at elections in 2008 and, with respect to questions at elections in 2009 and later, 11% of the total ballots cast by voters in the political subdivision at the most recent regular election).

Amends the Election Code. Requires that each election authority (i) conduct an election day audit of a random sample of 10% of votes cast and (ii) provide by contract or employment for the performance by one or more independent auditors of post-election parallel tabulations and audits. Provides for the scope of the audits and the resulting reports. Requires that optical scan technology and direct recording electronic voting systems meet certain federal and independent testing standards. With respect to early voting, requires that an election authority using only direct recording electronic voting systems have paper ballots available for voters wishing to use them.

Creates the Illinois Clean Elections Act. Establishes a voluntary method of public financing of the campaigns of candidates for statewide constitutional offices and the General Assembly. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Clean Elections Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to create an individual tax return checkoff in support of the Fund. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Clean Election Act. Establishes a voluntary method of public financing of the campaigns of candidates for Governor, State Senator, and State Representative. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Clean Election Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to create an individual tax return checkoff in support of the Fund. Effective immediately.

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, 2010, "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 Election Code. With respect to local referenda authorized by the Illinois Constitution, changes the minimum petition signature requirement to at least 8% of the number of votes cast in the governmental unit for candidates for Governor in the preceding gubernatorial election (now, 10% of the number of registered voters).

Amends the School Code. Authorizes a school board to place an advisory question on the ballot by a majority vote of the board.

Amends the Election Code. Provides for the joint nomination of candidates for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Amends the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004. Provides that no person may practice veterinary medicine in the State except within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Changes the definition of "veterinarian-client-patient relationship" to include a licensed veterinarian who has access to the animal patient's records and has been designated by the veterinarian with the prior relationship with the animal patient to provide reasonable and appropriate medical care if he or she is unavailable. Adds exemptions from the Act for certain specified persons. Requires a veterinarian to maintain patient records, which shall include certain specified information, for a minimum of 5 years from the date of the last known contact with an animal patient. Increases the maximum civil penalty allowed for a violation of the Act from $5,000 to $10,000. Makes several changes to the definition of "practice of veterinary medicine". Makes changes to the definitions of "accredited program in veterinary technology", "certified veterinary technician", and "complementary, alternative, and integrative therapies". Defines "immediate supervision", "licensed veterinarian", "veterinary premises", "veterinary prescription drugs", and "veterinary specialist". Replaces all references in the Act to "Director" with "Secretary". Makes other changes. Also makes technical changes. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal date of the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 from January 1, 2014 to January 1, 2020. Effective immediately.

Creates the Afterschool Youth Development Project Act. Provides that because it is the policy of this State to provide all young people between the ages of 6 and 19 with access to quality afterschool programs through a State commitment to sufficient and sustainable funding for programs that promote positive youth development, the Illinois Youth Development Council is created. Provides that the purpose of the Council is to provide oversight and coordination to the State's public funds currently invested to support positive youth development programs and activities and to set system-wide policies and priorities to accomplish 5 specified objectives. Provides that the Council shall be governed by a board of no less than 28 and no more than 32 members and that the Council shall reflect the regional, racial, socio-economic, and cultural diversity of the State to ensure representation of the needs of all Illinois youth. Contains provisions concerning Council member appointments; the establishment of an independent Youth Advisory Group; the major objectives of the Council; afterschool demonstration programs; reporting requirements; and other matters. Provides that the Council shall be created within the Department of Human Services and that the Department shall provide resources to the Council including administrative services and data collection. Effective immediately.