Rep. Emily McAsey

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning obstructing justice.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 concerning child pornography. Provides that the possession of each individual film, videotape, photograph, or other similar visual reproduction or depiction by computer in violation of the child pornography statute constitutes a single and separate violation.

Amends the Public Funds Investment Act. Provides that park districts, forest preserve districts, and conservation districts may, like municipalities and counties, invest public funds in interest-bearing bonds of any political subdivision or agency of the State of Illinois, whether the interest earned is taxable or tax-exempt under federal law. Provides that bonds shall be registered in the name of the municipality, park district, forest preserve district, conservation district, or county. Effective immediately.

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Access to Justice Act of 2013. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that county law library facilities may include self-help centers and other legal assistance programs for the public as part of the services it provides on-site and online, the expense of which shall be borne by the county. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Changes the definition of "civil legal services provider", "eligible client", and "indigent person" and defines "court-sponsored pro bono program" as a pro bono program established by or in partnership with a court in this State for the purpose of providing free civil legal services by an organized panel of pro bono attorneys. Makes a provision regarding the waiver of fees and costs relating to filing, appearing, transcripts on appeal, and service of process applicable to representation by attorneys in court-sponsored pro bono programs.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that domestic battery is a Class 4 felony if the defendant has one or 2 prior convictions under the Code for domestic battery. Provides that domestic battery is a Class 3 felony if the defendant had 3 prior convictions under the Code for domestic battery. Provides that domestic battery is a Class 2 felony if the defendant had 4 or more prior convictions under the Code for domestic battery.

Provides that if and only if Senate Bill 1556, as passed by the 97th General Assembly, becomes law, the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act is amended (i) to prohibit the Governor from designating public employees who are classified as or who hold the title of Chief Stationary Engineer, Assistant Chief Stationary Engineer, Sewage Plant Operator, Water Plant Operator, Stationary Engineer, or Plant Operating Engineer for exclusion from collective bargaining and (ii) to specify that public employees who are classified as or who hold the employment title of Chief Stationary Engineer, Assistant Chief Stationary Engineer, Sewage Plant Operator, Water Plant Operator, Stationary Engineer, or Plant Operating Engineer qualify as public employees for purposes of the Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Augmentative and Alternative Communications Task Force within the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to study whether it would be in the best interests of the State of Illinois and its residents with communications disabilities to include tablet devices with appropriate applications as durable medical equipment covered under the Medicaid program.

Amends the Condominium Property Act. Provides that the purchaser of a condominium unit at a judicial foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, or a purchaser of a condominium unit from a mortgagee who acquired title through a judicial foreclosure, a consent foreclosure, a common law strict foreclosure, or the delivery of a deed in lieu of foreclosure (instead of the purchaser of a condominium unit at a judicial foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, who takes possession of a condominium unit pursuant to a court order or a purchaser who acquires title from a mortgagee) shall have the duty to pay to the association an amount not to exceed the total of the regular monthly assessments for the condominium unit for the 9-month period immediately preceding the relevant event. Provides that the amount due may include any attorney's fees and court costs, but may not exceed 9 months of regular assessments due over the same 9-month period. Deletes language providing that the purchaser shall have the duty to pay the proportionate share, if any, of the common expenses for the unit which would have become due in the absence of any assessment acceleration for the 6 months immediately preceding the institution of an action to enforce the collection of assessments, and which remain unpaid. Deletes language providing that if the outstanding assessments are paid at any time during an action to enforce the collection of assessments, the purchaser shall have no obligation to pay any assessments which accrued before he or she acquired title. Provides that the notice of a foreclosure sale of a condominium unit shall state that a purchaser, other than a mortgagee, shall pay to the association any unpaid monthly assessments for the 9-month period preceding the sale, including attorney's fees and court costs. Provides that each offer of sale or contract for the sale of a condominium unit under the new provisions shall state that the purchaser of the unit shall pay to the association the fees required by the new provisions, and that each disclosure statement issued to a prospective purchaser shall list the required fees. Provides that in certain situations, the owner or owner's agent of a condominium unit must make specified information available within 10 days of the request (instead of "upon demand"). Effective immediately.

Supports the goals of the Illinois Reads program and urges citizens throughout the State to become involved as Illinois Reads Ambassadors to support the Illinois Reading Council's efforts to promote literacy.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.