Rep. Angelo Saviano

Amends the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987. Removes the provision that a physician assistant shall not be allowed to bill patients or in any way charge for services. Removes language providing that a physician assistants may be employed by the Department of Corrections or the Department of Human Services for service in facilities maintained by such Departments and affiliated training facilities in programs conducted under the authority of the Director of Corrections or the Secretary of Human Services. Repeals the provision that provides a physician assistant may be employed by a jail or prison health facility. Effective immediately.

Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning guardians.

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer all amounts remaining in the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund, the Fire Station Revolving Loan Fund, and the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund to the Fire and Ambulance Services Revolving Loan Fund. Repeals the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund, the Fire Station Revolving Loan Fund, and the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Fire and Ambulance Services Revolving Loan Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that the Fund shall be used for (i) loans to fire departments and fire protections districts to purchase fire trucks, (ii) loans to fire departments and fire protection districts to construct fire stations, and (iii) loans to fire departments, fire protection districts, and non-profit ambulance services to purchase ambulances. Amends the Fire Investigation Act. Provides that the Fire Prevention Fund shall be used for grants awarded under the Small Fire-fighting and Ambulance Equipment Grant Program. Provides that, each month, $5.50 from each fine deposited into the Fire Prevention Fund shall be transferred to the Fire and Ambulance Services Revolving Loan Fund (now, $1.50 to the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund and $4 to the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund). Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that $15 of a fee imposed upon a person who is convicted of, pleads guilty to, or is placed on supervision for a serious traffic violation shall be deposited into the Fire and Ambulance Services Revolving Loan Fund (now, the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund). Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that an additional fine imposed upon a person convicted of arson shall be deposited into the Fire Prevention Fund (now, the Fire Service and Small Equipment Fund).

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act, (i) no denial of a request for approval for payment of non-emergency transportation by means of ground ambulance service, and (ii) no approval of non-emergency transportation by means of ground ambulance service at a level of service that entitles the ground ambulance service provider to a lower level of compensation from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services than would have been received at the level of service requested by the ground ambulance service provider, may be issued by the Department or its agent except pursuant to criteria established by administrative rules adopted pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Private Agreements for the Illiana Expressway Act. Removes language providing that a public private agreement includes a provision stating that, in the event the contractor finds it necessary, proper, or desirable to enter into subcontracts with one or more design build entities, then it must follow a selection process that is, to the greatest extent possible, identical to the selection process contained in the Design Build Procurement Act. Provides that the Department of Transportation may acquire property for the Illiana Expressway project using the powers granted to it in the Eminent Domain Act. Provides that any bonds, debt, or other securities or other financing issued by or on behalf of a contractor for the purposes of a project undertaken pursuant to the Act shall not be deemed to constitute a debt of the State. Removes language providing that the Department may not exercise the power of quick take in connection with the Illiana Expressway project. Makes a corresponding change in the Eminent Domain Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing Act. Renames the Act the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act (and makes conforming changes in other Acts). Provides that any person who practices, offers to practice, attempts to practice, or holds himself or herself out to practice as a clinical professional counselor or professional counselor without being licensed or exempt under the Act shall pay a civil penalty to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in an amount not to exceed$ 10,000 (instead of $5,000) for each offense. Allows the Department to take action, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000 (instead of $1,000) per violation, if the individual meets the requirements for grounds for disciplinary action. Creates a provision concerning the confidentiality of all information collected by the Department in the course of an examination or investigation of a licensee or applicant. Provides that a person who violates a provision of the Act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class 4 felony for the second and subsequent offense. Makes other changes in provisions concerning definitions; restrictions and limitations; powers and duties of the Department; qualifications for a license; the Board; renewal of licenses; payments; grounds for discipline; investigations; hearings and proceedings; and restoration of licenses. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to extend the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing Act from January 1, 2013 to January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that no county or municipality may prohibit a charitable organization from soliciting for charitable purposes, including solicitations taking place on public roadways from passing motorists, if certain requirements are met. Sets forth requirements regarding the groups involved, applications and liability insurance. Defines "local agency" to mean a municipality, county, special district, fire district, joint powers of authority, or other political subdivision of the State of Illinois. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Congratulates June Gecan on the occasion of her 90th birthday.

Congratulates Ronald M. Serpico on the occasion of receiving the Robert G. Cimo Peacemaker Award from the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans.

Congratulates Alex A. Piemonte Jr. on the occasion of receiving the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Humanitarian Award from the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans.