Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins

Mourns the death of Robert Conley Berry of Chicago.

Mourns the death of Wendell Leon Nix, Jr., of Chicago on March 17, 2005.

Amends the Supreme Court Act. Adds a caption to a Section concerning the powers of the Court.

Mourns the death of Al Scott.

Mourns the death of Robert E. Cherry, IV.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Includes, in the category of property exempt from taxation when used for charitable or beneficent purposes as well as in the category of property exempt as housing authority property, certain public housing residential rental property subject to a regulatory and operating agreement approved by the housing authority and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. In provisions concerning the establishment of the "initial equalized assessed value" of property to be included in the district, excludes the public housing residential rental property that is subject to a regulatory and operating agreement and that is exempt under the Property Tax Code. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $2,200,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to match private funds available to the Higher Education and Business Partnership Initiative. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act. Provides that the Department of Professional Regulation shall create the Illinois Center for Nursing. Provides a list of goals for the Center and requires the Center to work in conjunction with the Illinois Coalition for Nursing Resources in accomplishing its goals. Provides that moneys in the Nursing Dedicated and Professional Fund may be used for the establishment of the Center and provides for the appropriation of money from the Fund to the Department to be used within 2 fiscal years of the effective date for the Center. Effective immediately.

Creates the Display of Tobacco Products Act. Provides that it is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, give away, or display tobacco products for sale at any location where the consumer can acquire those products through self-service. Provides that every tobacco product must be displayed from behind a sales or service counter so that a consumer cannot access tobacco products without assistance by an employee of the retail establishment authorized to sell tobacco products. Exempts the sale of tobacco products from vending machines if the vending machines are located in places authorized under the Sale of Tobacco to Minors Act. Provides that a violation is a petty offense for which the court shall impose a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000. Exempts retail tobacco stores from the self-service restriction on tobacco product displays provided that the retail tobacco store (i) derives at least 90% of its revenue from tobacco and tobacco related products; (ii) does not permit persons under the age of 18 to enter the premises; and (iii) posts a sign on the main entrance way stating that persons under the age of 18 are prohibited from entering.

Amends the Simplified Sales and Use Tax Administration Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning legislative findings.