Rep. Patrick J. Verschoore

Amends the Department of Public Aid Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the State Finance Act. Creates the Hunger Relief Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that, from appropriations to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services from the Fund, the Department shall make grants to members of the Illinois Food Bank Association for the purpose of making capital improvements, purchasing food, or acquiring other assets. Effective immediately.

Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. In connection with the pharmaceutical assistance program under the Act, provides that to become a beneficiary under the program, a person must have a maximum household income equal to or less than 239% of the Federal Poverty Level (instead of less than specified amounts or equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Provides for 4 (instead of 5) Eligibility Groups (eliminates current Eligibility Group 3). For persons in the Eligibility Group consisting of persons who have a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS, provides for an alternative co-payment according to whether or not a drug is covered by the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan in which the beneficiary is enrolled (in addition to whether or not the drug is included in the formulary of the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program operated by the Illinois Department of Public Health). Makes changes in the definitions of "covered prescription drug" for each Eligibility Group. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Public Safety Officer Protection Act. Provides that a public employer shall reimburse a public safety officer for reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the officer in connection with any criminal proceeding arising from the officer's conduct in the performance of official duties unless, in relation to that conduct, any of the following applies: (1) the officer is convicted of a crime; (2) the officer's employment is terminated for cause; or (3) the officer resigns for reasons other than retirement or disability before the attorney's fees are incurred. Provides that a public employer, including a home rule unit, that employs a full-time public safety officer may not provide benefits to that officer in a manner inconsistent with the requirements of the Act.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Makes the following changes with respect to a public body's authority to charge fees when meeting requests for records: removes the requirement that electronically-maintained records be provided in the format requested; removes the prohibition against charging for the first 50 pages of black and white legal sized or letter sized copies; removes the maximum fee permitted for color or other sized copies and for certification; and permits a fee to exceed the actual cost of reproduction and certification if otherwise provided by State statute. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Requires that an otherwise valid ballot be counted, regardless of the absence of the initials of a judge of elections.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Creates the Sport Shooting Range Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that publication fees are not to exceed stated amounts (instead of are stated amounts). Effective immediately.

Amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. For a riverboat in operation on January 1, 2009 that has a capital projects of at least $45,000,000 that are approved by the Board in calendar years 2006 through 2009 or for which at least $45,000,000 in expenditures have been made in calendar years 2006 through 2009, (i) eliminates the admissions tax and (ii) imposes an additional 1% privilege tax, the proceeds of which shall be paid monthly to the unit of local government that is designated as the home dock of the riverboat upon which those riverboat gambling operations are conducted. Effective immediately.

Amends the Capital Development Board Act. Requires local governments without building codes to adopt building codes based on specified model codes. Requires that persons performing building inspection services under the Act must be qualified by the State, certified by a certification organization, or have filed verification of inspection experience with the Board. Permits a local government to out-source building inspection. Defines a local government as a municipality, county, or fire protection district. Exempts municipalities over 500,000 population, and applies beginning July 1, 2011, except that a local government must provide notice to the Board of its adopted building code within 60 days after the bill's effective date.