Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that all property upon which the first installment of taxes remains unpaid on the first installment date (now, June 1) shall be deemed delinquent and shall bear interest after the first installment date (now, June 1). Provides that all property upon which the second installment of taxes remains due and unpaid on the second installment date (now, September 1) shall be deemed delinquent and shall bear interest after the second installment date (now, September 1). Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code in the Article concerning transitional bilingual education. Provides that by no later than January 1, 2013, the Advisory Council on Bilingual Education shall submit a report to the State Superintendent of Education, the Governor, and the General Assembly addressing certain questions concerning the modification of bilingual education programs. Sets forth definitions for "parent academies" and "cultural competency program".

Creates the Illinois Service Member Civil Relief Act. Provides that nothing in the Act is intended to impair any existing right or benefit available to any service member. Provides that certain legal protections afforded to service members (and family members where specified) are subject to stated provisions of law. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to set forth a provision concerning stays of contested case hearings for service members. Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to set forth a provision concerning deadline extensions for service members. Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to make changes to the provision concerning bulk long distance telephone services for military personnel in military service (now on active duty). Amends the Military Code of Illinois, Illinois Municipal Code, Illinois Insurance Code, Public Utilities Act, Service Member's Employment Tenure Act, Code of Civil Procedure, Landlord and Tenant Act, Uniform Commercial Code, Interest Act, Retail Installment Sales Act, Military Personnel Cellular Phone Contract Termination Act, and Motor Vehicle Leasing Act to make changes in certain provisions concerning military personnel. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to provide that a violation of specified provisions regarding legal protections for military personnel constitutes a civil rights violation under the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that no applicant may receive a license from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and no person may be employed by the Department or a child care facility licensed by the Department who has been convicted of committing or attempting to commit specified offenses unless, after careful review of the circumstances surrounding the convictions, through questioning of the applicant and accessing and reviewing official documents, the Department determines that the applicant does not pose a threat to State resources or clients. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act and the Public Utilities Act. Creates the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards Fund. Provides that all moneys received by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity under specified provisions of the Public Utilities Act related to energy efficiency shall be deposited into the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards Fund and shall be used only for the purposes authorized by those provisions of the Public Utilities Act. Further amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is authorized to adopt any rules necessary and prescribe procedures in order to ensure compliance by applicants in carrying out the purposes of rebate agreements for energy efficiency measures implemented by the Department. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Provides that township boards may adopt ordinances under which they may aggregate residential and small commercial retail electrical loads located within the township. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning tax checkoff explanations.

Amends the Township Code. Provides that compensation of township officers shall be for time served, and no officer may receive compensation for any future or anticipated days of duty. Effective immediately.

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 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.