Sen. Emil Jones

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 Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes language requiring that the local police of a municipal authority issue a parking ticket to a person who violates provisions concerning parking places reserved for persons with disabilities. Provides for the issuance of free parking stickers to certain persons with disabilities. Provides that to be eligible for a free parking sticker, a person with disabilities must present a certification from a physician that the person meets certain physical requirements. Increases the fine from $250 to $300 for parking in a spot reserved for persons with disabilities without authorization. Increases the fine from $500 to $600 for improperly using a disability license plate, decal, or device to park in a parking place reserved for a person with disabilities. Increases the fines for a violation of the Section concerning fictitious or unlawfully altered disability license plates or parking decals or devices from $500 to $1,000 for a first offense and from $1,000 to $2,000 for a second or subsequent offense. Provides that a physician who violates the Section concerning parking in a place reserved for a person with disabilities shall be fined an amount equal to double the amount of any applicable penalty.

Amends the Illinois Fire Protection Training Act. Provides that the definition of "local governmental agency" includes the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Provides that if employees of the Office of the State Fire Marshal meet certain requirements, then they shall not be prohibited from receiving training certifications on the grounds that they are not employed or otherwise engaged by an organized Illinois fire department. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipality shall not adopt or enforce an ordinance or resolution after the effective date of the amendatory Act that affects the placement, screening, or height of antennas or support structures that are used for amateur radio communications unless the ordinance or resolution: (i) has a reasonable and clearly defined aesthetic, public health, or safety objective and represents the minimum practical regulation that is necessary to accomplish the objectives; and (ii) reasonably accommodates amateur radio communications. Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department shall cause to be established an easily accessible online database for the purpose of compiling research expertise, intellectual property, and ongoing sponsored research projects at academic institutions across the State.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Adds the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law (RICO) as a new Article of the Code. Provides that it is unlawful for any person: (1) who is employed by or associated with any enterprise, knowingly to conduct or participate, directly or indirectly, in such enterprise's affairs through either a pattern of predicate activity (specified criminal offenses) or the collection of unlawful debt; or (2) knowingly to acquire or maintain, directly or indirectly, through either a pattern of predicate activity or the collection of unlawful debt, any interest in, or control of, to any degree, of any enterprise, real property, or personal property of any character, including money. Establishes criminal penalties and civil remedies. Provides that any violation of the Article is subject to the remedies, procedures, and forfeiture as set forth in the money laundering statute. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Permit the State's Attorney to apply to the chief judge of the circuit for an order authorizing the interception of a private communication when no party has consented to the interception and the interception may provide evidence of, or may assist in the apprehension of a person who has committed, is committing or is about to commit a violation of the RICO Article of the Criminal Code of 1961. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code in provisions concerning bullying prevention. Makes changes concerning the legislative findings. Provides that, on or before January 1, 2013, the State Board of Education shall develop a template for a model bullying prevention policy and sets forth requirements concerning the template. Sets forth and changes requirements, beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, for each school district and non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school, as well as the State Board, concerning policies on bullying. Sets forth provisions concerning the collection, maintenance, and submission of data regarding allegations and incidences of bullying and rules. Effective immediately.

Appoints William G. Holland as Auditor General for a term commencing on August 1, 2012.

Designates the bridge located at 99th and 100th Streets and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Rosemoor and Roseland Heights as the "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge".

Proposes to amend the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution concerning crime victim's rights. Provides that in addition to other rights provided in the Constitutional provision, a crime victim has the right to: (1) be free from harassment, intimidation, and abuse; (2) refuse to disclose information that is privileged or confidential by law; (3) timely notification of post-trial proceedings; (4) be heard in person or in any other reasonable manner the victim chooses at any proceeding involving a post-arraignment release decision, plea, sentencing, post-conviction or post-adjudication release decision, or any proceeding in which a right of the victim is at issue; (5) receive a report prepared for sentencing, reduction in sentence, parole, early release, or clemency, when available to the accused; and (6) have the safety of the victim and the victim's family considered in denying or fixing the amount of bail, determining whether to release the defendant, and setting conditions of release after arrest and conviction. Provides that nothing in this Constitutional provision creates any cause of action for compensation or damages against the State, any political subdivision of the State, any officer, employee, or agent of the State or of any of its political subdivisions, or any officer or employee of the court. Effective upon being declared adopted.