Rep. La Shawn Ford

Urges Congress to establish a small business recession rescue task force.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in Section concerning payments to the City of Chicago for participation in the City of Chicago's health care plans.

Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act of 1987. Provides that a pharmacist may not interchange an anti-epileptic drug or formulation of an anti-epileptic drug for the treatment of epilepsy without notification and the documented consent of the prescribing physician and the patient or the patient's parent, legal guardian, or spouse (now, a pharmacist may not interchange the drug or formulation without notification and documented consent when the prescribing physician has indicated on the original prescription "dispense as written" or "may not substitute"). Effective immediately.

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title of the Code.

Amends the Election Code. Requires that the election of commissioners of the Illinois Commerce Commission be included on general election ballots. Provides guidelines for the form and filing of petitions for nomination in the election of commissioners to the Commission. Provides that the State Board of Elections will hear and pass upon objections to the nominations of candidates for the Commission. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides for a Commission consisting of 7 members elected on a partisan basis. Provides that 3 members of the Commission shall be elected from the First Judicial District and one member shall be elected from each of the remaining 4 judicial districts. Provides that the members of the Commission shall elect one of the members to serve as chairperson of the Commission. Provides for the chairperson to serve a 2-year term. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that individual taxpayers are entitled to a deduction for (i) work-related mass transit expenses and (ii) school-related mass transit expenses for the taxpayer's minor children. Provides that neither deduction may exceed $500 per year.

Amends the Renter's Financial Responsibility and Protection Act. Provides for a uniform limit on the amount per day that the renter of a vehicle may be charged for collision damage waivers (rather than providing a limit that is lower than the uniform limit amount if the rental vehicle type has a suggested retail price of $30,000 or less and a limit that is higher than the uniform limit amount if the rental vehicle type has a suggested retail price of more than $30,000).

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes technical changes in a Section creating the civil administrative agencies.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that a vacancy in the office of U.S. Senator is filled, until the next election of U.S. Representatives, by a person selected jointly by the State executive branch constitutional officers, assembled at the call of the Governor (now, filled until that election by gubernatorial appointment). Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning downstate school finance authorities.