Sen. Michael G. Connelly

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the returning veterans' homestead exemption, provides that the veteran may apply the exemption for the taxable year after he or she returns if (i) he or she first acquires a principal residence during the taxable year in which he or she returns, but after January 1 of that year, and (ii) if the property is owned and occupied as a principal residence by the veteran on January 1 of the next taxable year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if a park district acquires property through the foreclosure of a lien, through a judicial deed, through the foreclosure of receivership certificate lien, or by acceptance of a deed of conveyance in lieu of foreclosing any lien against the property, all due or unpaid property taxes and existing liens for unpaid property taxes imposed or pending under any law or ordinance of this State or any of its political subdivisions are null and void. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that any real property, or any beneficial interest in a land trust, or any interest in real property held in a revocable living trust created for estate planning purposes, held in tenancy by the entirety shall not be liable to be sold upon judgment (instead of any real property or any beneficial interest in a land trust, held in tenancy by the entirety shall not be liable to be sold upon judgment). Amends the Joint Tenancy Act. Provides that where the homestead is maintained in a revocable living trust created for estate planning purposes by both husband and wife, the husband and wife are the primary beneficiaries of the trust, and the terms of the trust specifically state that the interests of the beneficiaries to the homestead property are held as tenants by the entirety, the estate created is a tenancy by the entirety.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections must also make identification information and a recent photo of the inmate being released accessible on the Internet by means of a hyperlink labeled "Community Notification of Inmate Early Release" on the Department's World Wide Web homepage. Provides that the identification information shall include the inmate's: name, any known alias, date of birth, physical characteristics, residence address, commitment offense and county where conviction was imposed. Provides that the identification information shall be placed on the website within 3 days of the inmate's release and the information may not be removed until either: completion of the first year of mandatory supervised release or return of the inmate to custody of the Department. Effective immediately.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Requires a person registering as a sex offender or sexual predator to provide the Department of State Police with his or her telephone number, including cellular telephone number.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the supervision of persons on parole or mandatory supervised release.

Amends the Home Repair Fraud Act. Provides that a person commits the offense of aggravated home repair fraud when he commits home repair fraud in connection with a home repair project intended to assist a disabled person. Provides that aggravated home repair involving misrepresentation or deception is a Class 3 (instead of Class 4) felony when the amount of the contract or agreement is $500 or less and a Class 2 (instead of Class 3) felony for a second or subsequent offense when the amount of the contract or agreement is $500 or less. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Deletes language providing that before July 1, 2006 and after June 30, 2010, the State Board of Education shall provide the primary source of funding through appropriations for the grants for preschool educational program and the funds shall be distributed for the benefit of children who because of their home and community environment are subject to such language, cultural, economic and like disadvantages that they have been determined as a result of screening procedures to be at risk of academic failure. Deletes language that provides that screening procedures shall be based on criteria established by the State Board of Education. Removes the date restrictions of July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2010 on the requirement that the State Board of Education shall provide the primary source of funding through appropriations for the program. Effective immediately.

Congratulates Ron Logeman on the occasion of his retirement as Principal at Lisle Senior High School and his successful career as an educator and civil service leader.

Mourns the death of Katie Ann Lunn of Chicago, formerly of Fort Dodge.