Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia

Amends the Military Leave of Absence Act. Requires that a full-time employee of the State, a unit of local government, or a school district who is a member of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Illinois State Militia must be given a leave of absence for any training or duty required by the U.S. Armed Forces not otherwise covered by the Act. If the employee's military pay for that training or duty is less than his or her compensation from the public employer, requires that during the leave the employee receive his or her public employment compensation, minus the amount of the military pay.

Amends the Drug Paraphernalia Control Act. Provides that "drug paraphernalia" includes individual tobacco wrappers, known as blunt wraps, whether in the form of a single tobacco leaf, sheet or tube, that typically consists of reconstituted tobacco leaf or flavored tobacco leaf; Provides that "blunt wrap" does not include a tobacco leaf wrap that is used in the manufacturing of a cigar with a pre-tax retail price of $3 or more. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the provisions related to driving while under the influence (DUI) apply to driving any motor vehicle while under the influence. Provides that the suspension and revocation of a person's motor vehicle driving privileges and the person's opportunity for a hearing for a violation of the DUI provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code also apply to operation of a snowmobile or watercraft while under the influence. Changes the definition of "first offender" to include certain offenses and suspensions related to operating a snowmobile or watercraft under the influence. Amends the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act and the Boat Registration and Safety Act to change the definition of "first offender" so that the term has the same meaning as it used in the Illinois Vehicle Code. Amends implied consent provisions of the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act and the Boat Registration and Safety Act to provide that a law enforcement officer must give notice to the Secretary of State when a person refuses to submit to a chemical test and must give additional warnings to the person regarding possible driver's license suspension, and requires the court clerk to send notice to the Secretary of State if the person fails to request a hearing or if the court finds against the person. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Makes it unlawful to tether a dog outdoors unless certain requirements are met. Provides penalties for violations. Defines "tether".

Amends the Consumer Installment Loan Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning a license required to engage in the business of making loans of money in a principal amount not exceeding $25,000.

Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. In connection with the pharmaceutical assistance program under the Act, provides that to become a beneficiary under the program, a person must have a maximum household income equal to or less than 239% of the Federal Poverty Level (instead of less than specified amounts or equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Provides for 4 (instead of 5) Eligibility Groups (eliminates current Eligibility Group 3). For persons in the Eligibility Group consisting of persons who have a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS, provides for an alternative co-payment according to whether or not a drug is covered by the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan in which the beneficiary is enrolled (in addition to whether or not the drug is included in the formulary of the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program operated by the Illinois Department of Public Health). Makes changes in the definitions of "covered prescription drug" for each Eligibility Group. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that as of July 1, 2011, a community college district must maintain a minimum required combined in-district tuition and universal fee rate per semester credit hour equal to 70% of the State-average combined rate, as determined by the State Board, or the total revenue received by the community college district from combined in-district tuition and universal fees must be at least 30% of the total revenue received by the community college district, as determined by the State Board, for equalization funding. Effective July 1, 2010.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that the extension limitation may not be less than 1%. Effective immediately.

Creates the Virtual Public Schools Act. Defines "virtual school" as an independent public school in which the school uses technology in order to deliver a significant portion of instruction to its students via the Internet in a virtual or remote setting. Requires the virtual school to be evaluated annually by its sponsor. Sets forth requirements for students of the virtual schools. Sets forth requirements and prohibitions for the virtual school. Provides that each virtual school teacher must be qualified to teach in this State under existing law. Provides that any student who meets State residency requirements may enroll in a virtual school.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In counties of less than 3,000,000, provides that the chief county assessment officer need not notify the township assessor concerning views of property if the township assessor fails to timely return the assessment books or workbooks. In counties of less than 600,000, provides that the township assessor must return assessment books or workbooks before June 15 (instead of April 15). Effective immediately.