Rep. Michael K. Smith

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission may authorize certain public utilities to impose a fire protection charge to meet the fire protection needs of customers (now, the fire protection needs of any municipality or public fire protection district is covered). Provides that any fire protection charge imposed shall reflect the costs associated with providing fire protection service as determined by the Commission for each service area of the public utility for which the Commission determines a separate revenue requirement. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that if a defendant is accused of child pornography or aggravated child pornography or the defendant is accused of first degree murder or second degree murder when the commission of the offense involves sexual penetration or sexual conduct, evidence of the defendant's commission of another such offense or evidence to rebut that proof or an inference from that proof, may be admissible (if that evidence is otherwise admissible under the rules of evidence) and may be considered for its bearing on any matter to which it is relevant. Provides that (1) testimony by the victim of an out of court statement made by the victim that he or she complained of such act to another; and (2) testimony of an out of court statement made by the victim describing any complaint of such act or matter or detail pertaining to any act which is an element of an offense which is the subject of a prosecution for a sexual or physical act against that victim are admissible as exceptions to the hearsay rule in prosecutions for any sex offense as defined in the Sex Offender Registration Act.

Amends the Sex Offender Community Notification Law. Provides that the Department of State Police shall establish and maintain a Statewide Missing Sex Offender Database for the purpose of identifying missing sex offenders and making that information available to the general public. Provides that the Department of State Police must make the information contained in the Statewide Missing Sex Offender Database accessible on the Internet by means of a hyperlink labeled "Missing Sex Offender Information" on the Department's World Wide Web home page and on the Attorney General's I-SORT page. Provides that the Department of State Police must update that information as it deems necessary. Provides that the Internet page shall also include information that rewards are available to persons who inform the Department of State Police or a local law enforcement agency of the whereabouts of a missing sex offender. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. In provisions that a child sex offender may not reside or loiter within 500 feet of a school, park, daycare center or other child facility, provides that the 500 feet is measured from the edge of the property of the school, park, daycare center, or other child facility property to the edge of the property of the sex offender's residence or where he or she is loitering.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that an officer of a fire department, in the performance of his or her official duties, has the authority to close to traffic a highway, or a lane or lanes of a highway, as necessary to protect the safety of persons or property. Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Increases the penalties for the offense of reckless homicide if the offense is committed as a result of failing to follow the procedures required when approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle. Further increases the penalties if the defendant causes the deaths of 2 or more persons as part of a single course of conduct.

Congratulates the members of the Limestone High School Rockets softball team on the occasion of winning the Class 3A State tournament.

Proposes to amend the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution with respect to limitations on income taxation. Provides that the rates shall be non-graduated, by category. The categories are (i) individuals (under $250,000), (ii) individuals ($250,000 or more), and (iii) corporations. Combines an individual's income with that of his or her spouse. Provides that in any such tax imposed upon individuals ($250,000 or more), the rate shall be the higher of (i) 6% or (ii) twice the rate imposed upon individuals (under $250,000). Provides that the rate on corporations shall not exceed the rate imposed on individuals (under $250,000) by more than a ratio of 8 to 5. Provides that the basic amount of each standard exemption for individuals (under $250,000) shall be $4,500 or such greater amount as provided by law. Provides that the amounts of $250,000 and $4,500 shall be adjusted each year to reflect changes in a specified consumer price index. Provides for all tax collections to be deposited as provided by law for the deposit of income tax collections, except that one-third of all amounts collected from individuals ($250,000 or more) that is attributable to that part of the rate in excess of the rate imposed on individuals (under $250,000) shall be deposited into each of the following funds: the Revitalize Illinois Schools Fund, the Rebuild Illinois Infrastructure Fund, and the Reward Illinois Working Families Fund; and expenditures from the Schools and Infrastructure funds shall be made only for those respective purposes and only as specifically appropriated by law. Provides that amounts in the Reward Illinois Working Families Fund shall be transferred and deposited as provided by law for the deposit of income tax collections. Makes the provisions self-executing and judicially enforceable. Provides for definition of terms. Effective upon being declared adopted and applies to taxable years 2008 and thereafter.

Congratulates the Lewistown High School Tube Band on being awarded the Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Award for Innovation in Education by AARP.

Mourns the death of Lee Grubor, Deputy Fire Chief of the Lewistown Fire Department.