Rep. Patrick J. Verschoore

Amends the Office of Banks and Real Estate Act. Requires the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate to work in cooperation with the Director of Aging to ensure that all financial institutions regulated by the Office of Banks and Real Estate participate fully in the Department on Aging's financial exploitation of the elderly intervention program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Recreational Trails of Illinois Act. With respect to the Off-Highway Vehicle Trails Fund, provides that at least 92% (now 60%) shall be allocated for motorized recreation and not more than 8% may be used for administration, enforcement, planning, and implementation costs. Effective immediately.

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning the Self-Insurers Advisory Board.

Amends the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Provides that, in mobile home parks located in a county with a population of more than 3,000,000 or in a county with a population of more than 250,000 that is contiguous to a county with a population of more than 3,000,000: rent may not be increased by more than the consumer price index for a tenant who is between the ages of 65 and 69 and who is renting the same lot as the preceding year; and rent may not be increased for a tenant who is 70 years of age or older and who is renting the same lot as the preceding year. Provides for penalties for violation. Effective immediately.

Creates the Public Service Accountability Act. Sets out the requirements for privatization contracts between contractors and State agencies. Provides for the monitoring and enforcement of privatization contracts. Establishes fines and prison sentences for a violation of certain Sections of the Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Comprehensive Housing, Health, and Supportive Services for Older Adults Act and amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, the State Finance Act, and the Nursing Home Care Act. Requires the Director of Public Health, in coordination with the Director of Aging and the Director of Public Aid, to monitor and analyze the distribution of housing and services for older adults in the different geographic areas of the State and implement corrective action plans by July 1, 2005. Provides for a program for conversion of nursing homes to assisted living or shared housing establishments; makes such conversions exempt from the requirements of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, and provides for transition planning grants to nursing homes making such conversions. Creates special funds in the State treasury for use in implementing the Comprehensive Housing, Health, and Supportive Services for Older Adults Act. Provides for transfers from the Long Term Care Monitor/Receiver Fund to the new Nursing Home Conversion Fund and the new Nursing Home Transition Planning Grant Fund. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Makes a technical change in a Section requiring the Department of Corrections to designate those institutions and facilities that are maintained for persons assigned as adults and as juveniles.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Department of Transportation and local authorities may issue permits allowing certain additional vehicles with weights exceeding normal limits to transport specified agricultural products over any highway except an interstate highway. Provides that the permit may be issued to a 3, 4, or 5 axle (as well as to a 2 axle) vehicle registered with the Secretary of State. Provides that the weight of a 3 or 4 axle vehicle may not exceed the normal weight limit by more than 20%, and the weight of a 5 axle vehicle may not exceed the normal limit by more than 10%. Provides that a vehicle may not exceed the license limits for that vehicle. Deletes language providing that these permits may authorize transport during the harvest season only. Provides that these vehicles may transport products from a storage facility (as well as from a field). Deletes language providing that the vehicle's destination must be a specified processing plant. Effective immediately.

Creates the Mercury Reduction Act. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency may participate in the establishment and implementation of a multi-state clearinghouse to assist in carrying out the purpose of mercury reduction. Provides that beginning July 1, 2005, no mercury-added product may be offered for final sale or use or distributed for promotional purposes in the State without prior written notification to the Environmental Protection Agency by the manufacturer of the product. Sets forth the requirements for this notification. Sets forth restrictions on the purchase or sale of certain mercury-added products. Provides that beginning July 1, 2006, no person may crush, shred, flatten, or otherwise process a motor vehicle for scrap metal without first making a good faith effort to remove any mercury light switches and mercury headlights. Provides that, on or before January 1, 2006, the Pollution Control Board must modify its rules governing universal hazardous waste as appropriate to promote the recycling, recovery, and proper management of elemental mercury and mercury-added products on a statewide basis. Sets forth penalties for violations of the Act. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Adds "vehicle recycler" to the list of persons who may not knowingly shred, scrap, dismantle, recycle, incinerate, handle, store, or otherwise manage any white good that contains any white components. Provides that no owner, operator, agent, employee of a junkyard or scrap dealership, or vehicle recycler may knowingly shred, scrap, dismantle, recycle, incinerate, handle, store, or otherwise manage any end-of-life motor vehicle that contains any mercury-added component. Defines "vehicle recycler", "end-of-life motor vehicle", and "mercury-added component". Effective immediately.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Makes a technical change to the penalty Section.