Rep. Frank J. Mautino

Amends the Illinois Local Library Act. Sets forth procedures by which a public library may be dissolved by an order of the circuit court for failure to perform its statutory duties and functions. Provides that, within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act, the duly elected members of a board of trustees of a public library may meet and appoint a sufficient number of persons to establish a quorum to conduct business. Provides that those appointed shall serve as though elected and hold office only until the next regularly scheduled election for library trustee. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Requires the transfer of specified amounts from specified State funds to the Audit Expense Fund for the costs of auditing those funds. Effective immediately.

In provisions of the Illinois Highway Code stating that specified amounts shall be appropriated annually to the Department of Transportation for apportionment to counties for the use of road districts for bridge construction, deletes language providing that amounts which are not obligated under specified provisions and for which local funds have not been committed under specified provisions within 24 months after the apportionment is made lapses and may not be paid to the county treasurer for distribution to road districts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 and the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act. Provides that willfully failing to report an instance of suspected abuse or neglect (instead of child abuse or neglect) as required by law (instead of as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act) is grounds for disciplinary action against an optometrist. Provides that any optometrist who willfully fails to report suspected elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect shall be referred to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for disciplinary action.

Amends the School Code and the Counties Code. Provides that it is a State's Attorney's duty to notify the State Superintendent of Education and others upon the conviction of any individual known to possess a certificate issued under the School Code of any of certain offenses or any other felony conviction. In the criminal history records check provisions of the School Code, makes changes concerning the offenses for which a school board may not knowingly employ a person. Provides that no one may be certified to teach or supervise in the public schools who has been convicted of certain offenses (instead of providing that in determining good character, any felony conviction of an applicant may be taken into consideration, but such a conviction shall not operate as a bar to registration). In provisions concerning suspension or revocation of a certificate, provides that the State Superintendent of Education has the exclusive authority to initiate the suspension of up to 5 calendar years or revocation of any certificate (instead of providing that a certificate may be suspended for a period not to exceed one calendar year by the regional superintendent of schools or for a period not to exceed 5 calendar years by the State Superintendent). With respect to certificate suspension and revocation, makes changes concerning an investigation, notice, a hearing, an appeal, and the offenses that are grounds for suspension and revocation. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Sets the fee for NPDES construction site storm water permits at $500. Prohibits the imposition of a NPDES construction site storm water permit fee on any person for storm water discharges from a construction site that is smaller than 5 acres. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning deposits for redemption, provides that the deposit shall include, if a petition for tax deed has been filed, all fees paid to a registered title insurance company or title insurance agent for a title search.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that certain Sections of the Illinois Insurance Code do not apply to short-term travel, disability income, long-term care, accident only, or limited or specified disease policies.

Amends the Property Tax Code. For counties under 3,000,000 inhabitants, sets forth specific items that must be included in the notice sent to taxpayers whose assessment has changed. Requires disclosure of information concerning access to databases containing the physical characteristics of the property. Requires the board of review in those counties to make its rules and procedures publicly available, and requires the chief county assessment officer to provide a plain-English explanation of equalization factors. Effective January 1, 2010.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Removes the provision that a veterans home resident's maintenance charges must be paid first and to the fullest extent possible from sources of income other than pensions or compensation paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.