Congratulates Tom Matousek on his retirement as State Commander of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois Honor Guard.
Creates the High-Speed Rail Authority Act. Contains only a short title provision.
Creates the Emerging Technology Industries Act. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish and maintain a program to award grants to emerging-technology enterprises in the State. Sets forth eligibility requirements and funding priorities for awarding the grants, and sets forth procedures for awarding the grants. Requires written contracts in which the emerging-technology enterprise guarantees that it will perform the actions expected to be performed. Sets dollar limits on matching funds for federal Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants and total grant matching funds per year. Limits total credits to $15,000,000 in any one State fiscal year. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Emerging Technology Grant Fund. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for qualified investors who make an investment in an emerging technology enterprise in the State. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity must certify the amount of the credit and sets forth the procedures for the application and certification of the credit. Sets forth provisions for the revocation and recapture of the tax credit. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.
Amends the Perfusionist Practice Act. Replaces all references to "Director" with "Secretary". Exempts a new graduate who performs perfusion services for a period of 14 months after he or she graduates from an accredited perfusion education program so long as the graduate is under the direct supervision of a licensed perfusionist or a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Provides that the Department may adopt rules to require that licensees receive 30 hours of continuing education per 2 year license renewal cycle. Changes provisions concerning the refusal, suspension, and revocation of licenses by the Secretary. Provides that the Department shall automatically terminate a license or deny an application if a fee or fine remains unpaid by the licensee or applicant 30 days after giving notice to the licensee or applicant of a returned check. Provides that the Department or Board may order a licensee or applicant to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, for certain violations of the Act. Provides that the Secretary may, through the Attorney General or the State's Attorney of the county in which a violation is alleged to have occurred, petition for an order enjoining a violation or for an order enforcing compliance with this Act. Provides that any circuit court, upon application of the Department or designated hearing officer, may enter an order requiring the attendance of witnesses and their testimony, and certain other documents in connection with any hearing or investigation under the Act. Provides that whenever the Secretary believes that substantial justice has not been done in the revocation or suspension of a license, or refusal to issue, restore, or renew a license, or other discipline of an applicant or licensee, the Secretary may order a rehearing by the same or another examiner. Provides that any person who violates any provision of the Act shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for each subsequent offense. Increases the limit for any fine or civil penalty imposed under the Act from $5,000 to $10,000. Defines "address of record". Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Land Sales Registration Act of 1999 and the Regulatory Sunset Act. Provides that the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (instead of the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate and the Office of Banks and Real Estate) shall administer the Act. Makes changes regarding: registration and exemption; fees; returned checks; penalties; discipline; investigations; reports; orders; suspensions and revocations; records of proceedings; and other matters. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act by repealing the Land Sales Registration Act of 1999 on January 1, 2020 (instead of January 1, 2010). Effective immediately.
Amends the Auction License Act. Provides that upon the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, any person who holds a valid license as an associate auctioneer shall be issued an auctioneer license without having to apply to the Department or pay any fee. Provides that upon receipt of such an auctioneer license, a licensee's associate auctioneer license shall no longer be valid. Eliminates the Auction Regulation Administration Fund, the Auction Education Fund, and the Auction Recovery Fund. Provides that all fees collected under this Act shall be deposited into the General Professions Dedicated Fund and appropriated to the Department for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department in the administration of this Act. Provides that the Department may investigate the actions of any applicant or person rendering or offering to render auction services, or holding or claiming to hold a license as a licensed auctioneer. In a provision concerning disciplinary hearings, provides that if the Secretary disagrees with the recommendations of the Board, the Secretary may issue an order in contravention of the Board recommendations. Provides that the Department may contract with third parties for services necessary for the proper administration of the Act. Makes certain changes to the responsibilities and powers of the Auction Advisory Board and the Secretary. Defines "address of record". Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Uniform Commercial Code. Provides that any person who issues a converted check, electronic funds transfer, or order for the payment of money (in addition to any person who issues a check or other draft) that is not honored upon presentment because the drawer does not have an account with the drawee, or because the drawer does not have sufficient funds in his account, or because the drawer does not have sufficient credit with the drawee, shall be liable in the amount of $25, or for all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by any person in connection with the collection of the amount for which the converted check, electronic funds transfer, or order for the payment of money was written, whichever is greater, and shall be liable for interest upon that amount. Provides that a person who undertakes a nonlitigated collection against the person who issued a converted check, electronic funds transfer, or order for the payment of money that is not honored upon presentment shall make a written demand by certified mail, return receipt requested, delivered to the last known address of that person in order to become eligible for any costs and expenses in excess of $25. Authorizes assessment of a fee or charge not to exceed $4.50 to any person or owner of a commercial checking account or other similar commercial account where a converted check, electronic funds transfer, or order for the payment of money that is deposited into the account is dishonored upon presentment because of insufficient funds or because the drawer does not have an account with the drawee.
Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning a licensed practical nurse's scope of practice.
Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Makes various changes in provisions concerning the creation of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, Board membership, and Board elections, including changing the principal trustee to a principal/administrator trustee. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.
Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Establishes a minimum retirement pension of $1,500 per month for teachers with at least 20 years of service credit in the Fund. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
