Rep. Frank J. Mautino

Names the I-180 bridge after Gudmund B. Jessen, Jr..

Amends the Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act. Expressly prohibits the Department from imposing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program fees under the Act, by rule and without the approval of the General Assembly. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning commissions.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Requires member companies of the Illinois Insurance Guaranty Fund to recoup over a reasonable length of time a sum reasonably calculated to recoup assessments paid by the member company by way of surcharges, to be determined by the Fund, on premiums charged for insurance policies. Requires that the surcharge must be separately stated on the policy declaration statement, schedule, or endorsement. Allows the Fund to permit member companies to omit collection of the surcharge if the expense of collection exceeds the amount of the surcharge. Effective immediately.

Creates the Blind Vendors Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Blind Services, shall operate and promote the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth that the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act and the regulations adopted pursuant to that Act shall serve as the minimum standards for the operation of the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Provides that under the Program: (1) blind vendors have priority in the operation of all vending facilities on State property; (2) vending machine income from all vending machines on State property shall be assigned to the blind vendor on the property or to the Blind Vendors Trust Fund; (3) no State agency may impose any commission, service charge, rent, or utility charge on a blind vendor operating on State property; (4) sales made at a blind vendor's vending facility are exempt from all occupation and use taxes; and (5) State agencies may not allow competition with a blind vendor. Sets forth that the Bureau Director for the Bureau of the Blind and the Committee of Blind Vendors shall jointly develop regulations to ensure that priority is given to blind vendors in the operation of vending facilities on State property. Provides that the Department may provide for set-asides of the net proceeds of vending operations under certain conditions. Requires set-aside funds to be deposited in the Blind Vendors Trust Fund, a separate account managed by the Department for the State's blind vendors. Sets forth provisions for the distribution of vending machine income from vending machines on State property. Provides certain conditions for the licensing of blind vendors. Creates the Committee of Blind Vendors to jointly participate in the development and implementation of all policies, plans, and major decisions affecting the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth provisions for the composition of the Committee. Provides certain procedures for the resolution of disputes arising within the Program. Provides for the promulgation of regulations relating to the operation of this Act. Requires the Department to make regular surveys and reports on State property and vending facilities. Sets forth conditions and information to be contained in the surveys and reports. Preempts home rule powers. Repeals the Blind Persons Operating Vending Facilities Act. Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to provide that personal property purchased from a blind vendor's vending facility licensed by the Department of Human Services under the Blind Vendors Act is exempt from the taxes imposed by those Acts and that these exemptions are not subject to the sunset provisions of those Acts.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the purpose of the "Medicaid" Article.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that the penalties for the illegal manufacture, delivery, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, or possession of heroin may also be calculated on the amount of objects or segregated parts of objects containing heroin.

Authorizes the State to release easements for highway purposes in LaSalle County, Henry County, Logan County, Kankakee County, Montgomery County, and Schuyler County. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to convey various described parcels of property in Logan County, Rock Island County, and Sangamon County to the listed recipients. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Defines "peer review program" as a review of compliance with professional standards of practice (now, generally accepted accounting principles and auditing standards and other generally accepted technical standards). Provides a definition of "Peer Review Administrator". Requires firms and sole practitioners providing accounting services under the Act to complete a peer review as a condition of renewing a license unless an exemption applies. Allows the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to adopt rules. Provides penalties for failure to comply with remedial actions determined appropriate by the Peer Review Administrator. Requires the firm or sole practitioner to pay for the costs of the peer review. Provides that the peer review proceedings, records, reports, and other documents are privileged and provides exceptions to the privilege. Provides for the peer review year of combined or divided firms or sole practitioners. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Commends Project Santa Adopt-A-Soldier on its Christmas outreach efforts to American soldiers.