Rep. Lisa M. Dugan

If and only if House Bill 2860 of the 97th General Assembly becomes law, amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the driver of a motorcycle may proceed through a red light which fails to change to a green light "within a reasonable period of time not less than 120 seconds" (instead of "within a reasonable period of time"). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act and Illinois Vehicle Code to provide that: the Secretary of State must inquire as to whether an applicant for a State identification card or driver's license is a veteran for purposes of issuing a State identification card or driver's license with a veteran designation; the Secretary shall determine by rule what forms of proof of a person's status as a veteran are acceptable; and the Secretary may disclose an individual's social security number or associated information to the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs for the purpose of confirming veteran status. Defines "veteran" and other terms. Effective January 1, 2013.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall issue Gold Star license plates to all siblings of a person who has lost his or her life while serving in the Armed Forces (instead of to only one surviving sibling in the absence of a surviving parent).

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Sets forth provisions concerning health care cooperatives. Provides that in addition to all other provisions of the Article concerning domestic mutual companies, a company seeking to organize as a health care cooperative shall meet certain requirements. Sets forth provisions concerning the naming of and applications for entities seeking to organize as health care cooperatives. Amends the Co-operative Act. Exempts domestic mutual insurance companies licensed as health care cooperatives by the Director of Insurance from the prohibition against using the term "Co-operative" as part of a corporate or other business name or title without complying with the provisions of the Co-operative Act. Sets forth provisions concerning health benefit purchasing cooperatives. Provides that the purpose of a health benefit purchasing cooperative is to provide health care benefits for certain eligible individuals under a single group health care policy or plan through a contract between the health benefit purchasing cooperative and an insurer authorized to do health insurance business in the State. Sets forth provisions concerning the design, the articles, the membership basis and capital stock, the membership criteria, the health care benefits, and the annual progress report of health benefit purchasing cooperatives. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Enhances to aggravated assault or aggravated battery the assault or battery of a letter carrier or postal worker while that individual is performing his or her duties delivering mail for the United States Postal Service. Provides that the robbery of a letter carrier or postal worker while that individual is performing his or her duties delivering mail for the United States Postal Service is a Class 1 (rather than a Class 2) felony.

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.

Creates the Area Career and Technical Education and Vocational Centers Task Force.

Congratulates David Harmon on his retirement from the Kankakee Fire Department.

Congratulates David Harmon on his retirement from the Kankakee Fire Department.

Congratulates Theodis Pace, the President of the Kankakee County Branch of the NAACP, on receiving the NAACP's 2012 Midwest Region III President of the Year Award and the region's 2012 Roy Wilkins Award.