Sen. Martin A. Sandoval

Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act. Provides that the position of public and intergovernmental affairs officer of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District does not qualify as classified civil service. Further provides that the public and intergovernmental affairs officer shall be appointed by the executive director, and in the invent of illness, prolonged absence, death, or resignation, the executive director of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District may appoint an acting public and intergovernmental affairs officer to perform the duties of the position. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Sets forth a definition for "synthetic drug product". Provides that whoever distributes, or possesses with intent to distribute, a synthetic drug product or a drug that is misbranded under the Act is guilty of a Class 2 felony and may be fined an amount not to exceed $100,000 and that a person convicted of a second or subsequent violation is guilty of a Class 1 felony, the fine for which shall not exceed $250,000. Provides that whoever falsely advertises a synthetic drug product or a drug that is misbranded is guilty of a Class 3 felony and may be fined an amount not to exceed $100,000. Makes changes to provisions concerning the classifications of certain violations and authorized agents of the Director of Public Health. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act to include pentedrone in the list of controlled substances that are included in Schedule I.

Amends the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act. Provides that the Department on Aging or the agency designated to receive mandated reports of elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect shall establish a manner in which a mandated reporter can make a report of elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect through a confidential Internet reporting tool. Provides that information sent and received through the confidential Internet reporting tool is subject to the same rules as other types of reporting established by the designated agency or the Department. Effective immediately.

Amends the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act. Expands the list of persons and agencies that shall have access to all records generated as a result of a report of elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect to include a law enforcement agency, fire department agency, or fire protection district having proper jurisdiction pursuant to a written agreement between a provider agency and the law enforcement agency, fire department agency, or fire protection district under which the provider agency may furnish to the law enforcement agency, fire department agency, or fire protection district a list of all eligible adults who may be at imminent risk of elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 concerning financial exploitation of an elderly person or a person with a disability. Includes in the definition of intimidation, criminal intimidation. Includes in the definition of a person who stands in a position of trust and confidence with an elderly person or person with a disability, a paid or unpaid caregiver for the elderly person or person with a disability. Provides that if a person is charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person or a person with a disability that involves the taking or loss of more than $5,000, a prosecuting attorney may file a petition with the circuit court of the county in which the defendant has been charged to freeze the assets of the defendant for purposes of restitution to the victim. Provides that the burden of proof that the defendant unlawfully obtained the victim's property shall be by a preponderance of the evidence. Provides that this provision is operative whether or not the defendant has been convicted of the offense.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the curriculum for probationary police officers shall include courses pertaining to the recognition of elder abuse and neglect and crimes against the elderly. Effective January 1, 2013.

Amends the Electrologist Licensing Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may issue a license to an individual who failed to apply for licensure on or before February 22, 2006, but who otherwise meets the qualifications, provided that the individual submits a completed application for licensure as required within 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly. Effective immediately.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act concerning product and services charges billed on telephone bills. Provides that a third-party vendor shall not bill a consumer for goods or services that will appear as a charge on a consumer's telephone bill. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a public utility must release an account hold on a customer's account within 48 hours after the customer has made a payment in full to the public utility.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Prohibits hiring search committees from being funded with money derived from State taxes or tuition or fees charged students.