Sen. James A. DeLeo

Amends the Chicago Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that if any policeman whose application for either a duty disability benefit or an occupational disease disability benefit has been denied by the Retirement Board brings an action for administrative review challenging the denial of disability benefits and the policeman prevails in the action in administrative review, then the prevailing policeman shall be entitled to recover from the Fund court costs and litigation expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, as part of the costs of the action. Effective immediately.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Prohibits a person from tethering or confining any covered animal, on a farm, for all or the majority of any day, in a manner that prevents the animal from (i) lying down, standing up, and fully extending his or her limbs or (ii) turning around freely. Creates exemptions from this requirement for (i) scientific or agricultural research; (ii) examination, testing, individual treatment, or operation for veterinary purposes; (iii) transportation; and (iv) rodeo exhibitions, State or county fair exhibitions, 4-H programs, and similar exhibitions. Provides that any person who violates this requirement is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and upon conviction must be punished by a fine not to exceed $500, or by imprisonment not to exceed 180 days, or both.

Amends the IMRF Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that an elected or appointed coroner may elect to participate in the Fund as a sheriff's law enforcement employee (SLEP). Allows conversion of prior service. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Exempts extensions made by school districts for special education purposes from the definition of aggregate extension. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a construction contractor or subcontractor operating second division vehicle commercially in this State that fails to display on the side of the vehicle or its trailer the name of the company for which it is employed is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor with a fine of not less than $500 (instead of a petty offense with a fine not to exceed $100).

Creates the Individual Market Fairness Reform Law. Provides that a managed care entity shall (1) fairly and affirmatively offer all of its managed care plans that are sold to all individuals in each service area in which the managed care entity provides or arranges for the provision of health care services and (2) may not reject an application for an individual managed care plan if certain requirements are met. Provides that the Division of Insurance of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall develop a system to categorize all managed care plans offered and sold to individuals pursuant to this Law into 5 coverage choice categories. Creates the Minimum Medical Loss Ratio Law. Provides that any company selling a health benefit plan in the individual or small group market shall expend in the form of health care benefits no less than 85 percent of the aggregate dues, fees, and premiums received by the company. Creates the Health Sure Illinois Law to establish a program for the purpose of making managed care plans affordable and accessible to small employers and individuals. Provides that the program is limited to active managed care entities. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates new Articles in the Code establishing the Office of Patient Protection and the Illinois Health Carrier External Review Law. Amends the Small Employer Health Insurance Rating Act, Illinois Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act in provisions concerning small employers, individuals, review, and rates. Repeals a provision of the Small Employer Health Insurance Rating Act concerning establishment of a class of business. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning special plates for retired members of the General Assembly.

Resolves that the Grand Avenue Underpass in the Village of Franklin Park be renamed the "Jack B. Williams Underpass" in honor of Jack B. Williams and his many accomplishments.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Creates the offense of infliction of serious physical injury or death to a vulnerable user of a public way. Provides that a person commits the offense of infliction of serious physical injury or death to a vulnerable user of a public way if the person (i) operates a vehicle upon a highway in this State in a careless or reckless manner and (ii) causes serious physical injury or death to a vulnerable user of a public way. Provides that infliction of serious physical injury or death to a vulnerable user of a public way is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a minimum fine of $12,500. Provides that any driver who is convicted of infliction of serious physical injury or death to a vulnerable user of a public way is subject to suspension of his or her driving privileges.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Department's powers and duties.