Sen. Donne E. Trotter

Recognizes the first week of February in 2007 and each subsequent year as Oprah Winfrey Week.

Mourns the death of Orlando G. Jones Sr.

Makes a supplemental appropriation of $21,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education to be used exclusively for school districts that will receive less funding in the 2007-2008 school year as a result of Public Act 93-1022. Effective immediately.

Creates the School Health Center Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to initiate 20 new school health centers over a 5-year period beginning July 1, 2007, and build capacity with existing school health centers in the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Creates a fee exception for construction site storm water discharges for which a new NPDES permit is issued during the months of January through June. States that no annual fee shall be due for the 12 months beginning July 1 that immediately follow the period for which the initial annual fee was due. Allows the Agency, by rule, to provide for the refund of permit fees. Requires a Section 401 state water quality authorization applicant to submit the fee prior to certification (now, the fee must be submitted with the application). Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the county board in any county (instead of a county with a population of less then 3,000,000) may establish a code hearing unit. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that whenever the appearance in person in court, in either a civil or criminal proceeding, is required of anyone held in a place of custody or confinement operated by the State or any of its political subdivisions, including counties and municipalities, the chief judge of the circuit by rule may permit the personal appearance to be made by means of two-way audio-visual communication, including closed circuit television and computerized video conference under specified conditions. Provides that the two-way audio-visual communication facilities must provide two-way audio-visual communication between the court and the place of custody or confinement, and must include a secure line over which the person in custody and his or her counsel, if any, may communicate. Provides that this provision shall not be construed to prohibit other court appearances through the use of two-way audio-visual communication, upon waiver of any right the person in custody or confinement may have to be present physically. Provides that this provision shall not be construed to establish a right of any person held in custody or confinement to appear in court through two-way audio-visual communication or to require that any governmental entity, or place of custody or confinement, provide two-way audio-visual communication. Effective immediately.

Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Provides that every hospital, fire station, emergency medical facility, and police station that is required to accept a relinquished newborn infant in accordance with the Act must post a sign in a conspicuous place on the exterior of the building housing the facility informing persons that a newborn infant may be relinquished at the facility in accordance with the Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to prescribe specifications for the signs and for their placement that will ensure statewide uniformity. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning usury.

Amends the State Universities Civil Service Act. Authorizes a hearing officer (in addition to a hearing board) appointed by the University Civil Service Merit Board to preside over demotion, removal, and discharge hearings. Makes technical changes. Effective immediately.