Rep. Gary Hannig

Amends the School Code. With regard to funds appropriated from the Driver Education Fund to the State Board of Education for reimbursement to school districts for providing driver education, provides that (i) as soon as may be after each quarter of the year, the State Comptroller shall draw his or her warrants upon the State Treasurer as directed by the State Board of Education, (ii) the warrant for each quarter shall be in an amount equal to one-fourth of the total amount to be distributed to school districts for the year, and (iii) payments shall be made to school districts as soon as may be after receipt of the warrants. Effective immediately.

Amends the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Provides that the definition of "pecuniary loss" includes the first month's rent and security deposit of the dwelling that the claimant relocated to and other reasonable relocation expenses incurred as a result of the violent crime.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Rural Microbusiness Loan Program to provide $250,000 per fiscal year in loans for the establishment or support of businesses that: (i) employ 5 or fewer employees; (ii) are located in rural counties with a population of 100,000 or less; and (iii) are based on the production, processing, or marketing of agricultural products, forest products, cottage and craft products, or tourism. Limits the total amount of loans made to any borrower to $25,000 per fiscal year. Requires the Department to adopt rules concerning the administration of the program and to create a competitive application procedure. Requires a borrower to provide a certain portion of the financing for the project. Limits the term of the loan to no more than 5 years. Contains provisions concerning the interest rate, security required for the loan, and other terms. Provides that all interest generated by the loans shall be deposited into the Rural Microbusiness Loan Program Administrative Fund, a special fund in the State treasury, for the purpose of paying expenses related to the administration of the Rural Microbusiness Loan Program. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Rural Microbusiness Loan Program Administrative Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to conduct an annual review comparing the benefits that Illinois veterans receive with those benefits received by veterans in other states and U.S. territories. Provides that this benefits review shall be annually reported to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Illinois Congressional delegation. Effective January 1, 2006.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. In provisions making it unlawful for a child sex offender to knowingly be present on school property or a school vehicle when persons under the age of 18 are present, eliminates an exception for an offender who is the parent or guardian of a student who is present. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Authorizes certain water commissions to: (i) pass ordinances and promulgate rules necessary for the protection of commission property; (ii) prescribe fines and penalties and seek restitution for violations of its ordinances; (iii) pass all ordinances to hire police officers to protect commission property; (iv) enter into intergovernmental police assistance agreements with counties or municipalities; and (v) enter into intergovernmental agreements with any unit of local government in order to carry out the purposes for which the commission was formed.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code and the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Requires coverage of mammograms for women under 40 years of age with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors at the age and intervals deemed medically necessary by the woman's health care provider. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Requires insurers to cover surveillance tests for ovarian cancer for female insureds who are at risk for ovarian cancer. Provides a definition for "at risk for ovarian cancer" and "surveillance tests for ovarian cancer". Effective January 1, 2006.

Amends the Senior Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Authorizes any gas utility to enter into a long-term contract with any company for synthetic natural gas produced from coal through the gasification process. Provides guidelines for determining if the cost for the synthetic natural gas is reasonable and prudent and recoverable through the purchased gas adjustment clause.