Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Authorizes an attachment against the property of a debtor who has been referred by the Department of Corrections to the Attorney General (instead of who is a defendant in a suit brought by the Attorney General) in connection with the reimbursement of the Department for the expenses of the debtor's incarceration.
Amends the senior citizens homestead exemption provisions in the Property Tax Code. Provides that beginning with assessment year 2003, for taxes payable in 2004, property that is first occupied as a residence after January 1 of any assessment year by a person who is eligible for the senior citizens homestead exemption must be granted a pro-rata exemption for the assessment year. The amount of the pro-rata exemption is the senior citizens homestead exemption allowed in the county divided by 365 and multiplied by the number of days during the year the property is occupied as a residence by a person eligible for the exemption. The chief county assessment officer must adopt reasonable procedures to establish eligibility for the pro-rata exemption. Amends the State Mandates Act to restate that the senior citizens homestead exemption is exempt from the requirements of the State Mandates Act and further amends the Property Tax Code to state that the senior citizens homestead exemption is exempt from the requirements of the State Mandates Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the Historic Preservation Agency Act. Creates the Freedom Trail Commission. Contains provisions concerning the membership and duties of the commission. Provides that the commission must prepare a master plan to promote and preserve the history of the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State; work in conjunction with State and federal authorities to sponsor commemorations, linkages, seminars, and public forums on the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State and in neighboring states; assist and promote the making of applications for inclusion in the national and State register of historic places for significant historic places related to the freedom trail and the underground railroad in the State; assist and develop partnerships to seek public and private funds to carry out activities to protect, preserve, and promote the legacy of the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State; and work with the Illinois State Board of Education to evaluate, conduct research concerning, and develop a curriculum for use in Illinois public schools regarding the underground railroad, with emphasis on the activities of the underground railroad within this State. Provides that the commission must report its activities and findings to the General Assembly by February 1, 2004. Effective immediately.
Amends the Open Meetings Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code regarding the reclassification of a vehicle's registration during a current registration period. Provides that, when an owner is reclassing the registration of a vehicle from a flat rate plate to an apportioned plate, a refund may be issued if the applicant was issued the wrong plate originally and the credit for the unused portion of the registration fee amounts to an overpayment. Effective immediately.
Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows certain retired teachers to remain in retirement status and continue to receive their retirement annuities while engaging in employment in a designated subject shortage area. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 to provide that health insurance benefits under the State and TRIP plans are suspended while the annuitant is covered as an active teacher. Amends the School Code to require regional superintendents of schools to certify school district compliance with certain requirements of the program. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act to provide that an academic employee of a community college who provides less than 3 (now, 6) credit hours of instruction per academic semester is not an "educational employee" within the meaning of the Act. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.
Amends the Grain Code. Makes numerous changes, including changes with respect to the following: the purposes of the Code; definitions; examinations of licensees; administrative review; electronic warehouse receipts; bonds; fees and assessments; deposit of funds; criminal history investigations; financial requirements of licensees; price later contracts; fines and criminal penalties; suspension and revocation of licenses; Department of Agriculture expense reimbursement; procedures upon failure of a licensee; designation of administrative law judges; compensation of claimants; and creation of the Regulatory Fund as a trust fund. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes technical changes in a Section relating to the use of force in defense of a person.
Amends the Special Assessment Supplemental Bond and Procedure Act. Provides that an amount for bond discount, as provided for in a special assessment ordinance, is the difference between the face amount of a bond and the price at which the bond is to be sold, exclusive of original issue discount (now, the difference between the face amount of a bond and the price at which the bond is to be sold). Removes a provision requiring that the date upon which interest shall begin to accrue on the assessments shall be not earlier than 60 days after the date that the notice of the due date of the first installment and the date from which interest shall accrue on the assessments was filed with the clerk of court. Provides that Supplemental Act Assessment Bonds may be issued in lieu of vouchers at any time after the date of the judicial order of final confirmation of the assessment roll and report. Provides that the owner or issuer of those bonds may rely on any waiver of the statutory appeal period executed by a municipality, county, or other issuer of the bonds and the owners and parties interested in land taken, damaged, or assessed therein, as conclusive evidence of the non-appealability of the final judgment or order. Provides that parties interested in land taken, damaged, or assessed for purposes of waiver and appeal shall include only the owners of record and contract purchasers of the land taken, damaged, or assessed. Contains provisions concerning when a county clerk or a governing body may mail assessment billing. Contains provisions concerning the use of surplus to: (i) declare a rebate upon lots, blocks, tracts, or parcels of lands assessed; (ii) to credit the surplus amount to each lot, block, tract, or parcel of land assessed, or a pro rata proportion, to reduce payment due; or (iv) to retire bonds. Effective immediately.
