Amends the Illinois Gas Pipeline Safety Act. Makes a technical change to the definition of "transportation of gas".
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a municipality, township, county, or other unit of local government may not impose a civil penalty for violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code that is in excess of the civil penalty specified in the Code.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012, increases the amount of the standard exemption to $4,000. Effective immediately.
Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the general powers of the Suburban Bus Board.
Creates the Small Business Contracts Act. Provides that not less than 10% of the total dollar amount of State contracts shall be established as a goal to be awarded to small businesses. Provides for compliance plans and annual reports to help monitor the implementation of the 10% goal. Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that not less than 25% of the total dollar amount available to the Department for awarding grants shall be awarded to small businesses. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insurer may not refuse to issue vehicle insurance to a person solely because the applicant is a volunteer driver and may not impose a surcharge or otherwise increase the rate for a vehicle policy solely on the basis that the named insured or any member of the insured's household or a person who customarily operates the insured's vehicle is a volunteer driver. Provides that the provision concerning volunteer driver protection shall not prohibit an insurer from taking any actions upon factors other than the volunteer status of the insured driver. Effective immediately.
Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act. Provides that the district is liable for damages or loss to real estate or personal property caused in whole or in part by the operations of the sanitary district whether the damages or loss are caused by the overflow of the sanitary district's channels, ditches, drains, outlets, or other improvements, or whether the damages or loss result from the district's use, maintenance, construction, or repair of the same or other equipment or facilities. Further provides that an owner or permitted user of real estate may submit a claim for reimbursement rather than bringing action to recover damages. Sets forth the requirements for the claim and damages awarded. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning retired teacher benefits.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall require all regulated cable service and video service providers under its authority to submit an annual report on all procurement goals and actual spending for minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and small business enterprises. Provides that each regulated cable service and video service provider shall submit the rules, regulations, and definitions used for its procurement goals and the name and contact information for the staff person responsible for administering the programs associated with the goals in the annual report. Provides that the Commission shall publish each annual report on its website and shall maintain each annual report for at least 5 years. Effective immediately.
Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Toll Highway Authority may exercise any powers it has under the Toll Highway Act on the effective date of this amendatory Act to construct new railroad tracks. Provides that the Authority may charge an access fee to any passenger or freight rail operator who wishes to use tracks which the Authority has constructed using powers granted under this amendatory Act. Effective immediately.
