Sen. Michael Noland

Mourns the death of Yvonne Potts of Elgin.

Amends the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Act. Changes the short title to the Energy Efficient Building Act. Provides a definition of "building". Applies the Act to residential and commercial buildings (now, all commercial buildings). Provides that the Capital Development Board must adopt the specified energy conservation code as the minimum requirements for commercial buildings and as the minimum and maximum requirements for the construction of residential buildings. Provides that units of local government may not regulate energy efficient building standards for residential buildings in a manner that is either less or more stringent than the standards in the Act. Provides that units of local government may not enact any annexation ordinance or resolution, or require or enter into any annexation agreement, that imposes energy efficiency building standards for residential buildings that are either less or more stringent than the energy efficiency standards in effect throughout the unit of local government. Provides that any unit of local government that has adopted any previously published editions of the International Energy Conservation Code on or before January 1, 2009 may continue to regulate energy efficient building standards under that Code and any supplements the unit of local government has adopted prior to January 1, 2009. Preempts home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that the term "aggregate extension" does not include special purpose extensions made for community mental health purposes. Amends the Community Mental Health Act. Provides that, if a governmental unit levies a tax for community mental health purposes at a rate of less than 0.15%, that levy may be increased to not more than 0.15% by submitting the question to the voters. Effective immediately.

Amends Public Act 95-1028 to provide that it takes effect upon the effective date of this amendatory Act. Public Act 95-1028 provides that the redevelopment project in the TIF district created by an ordinance that was adopted on December 22, 1986 by the Village of Hoffman Estates must be completed by December 31 of the 35th year after the year in which the ordinance was adopted. This amendatory Act is effective immediately.

Amends provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code requiring the recording of specified information when a uniform traffic citation or warning citation is issued and providing for analysis of the information and a traffic stop statistical study. Deletes the July 1, 2010 repeal date of those provisions.

Amends the Department of Public Aid Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the State Finance Act. Creates the Hunger Relief Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that, from appropriations to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services from the Fund, the Department shall make grants to members of the Illinois Food Bank Association for the purpose of making capital improvements, purchasing food, or acquiring other assets. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a tax checkoff for the Hunger Relief Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Fund. Effective immediately.

Creates the Local Farm and Food Products Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Counties Code. In a Section concerning counties under township organization, provides that public notice of a special meeting of a county board must be given as prescribed in the Open Meetings Act (now, publication in a specified newspaper).

Creates the Retail Sale and Distribution of Novelty Lighters Prohibition Act. Defines a "novelty lighter" as a mechanical or electrical device typically used for lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes that is designed to appear to be a toy, features a flashing light, or makes musical sounds. Prohibits the sale and distribution of novelty lighters. Sets forth exceptions to the prohibition. Imposes a petty offense of not to exceed $500 for each violation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In counties of less than 3,000,000, provides that the chief county assessment officer need not notify the township assessor concerning views of property if the township assessor fails to timely return the assessment books or workbooks. In counties of less than 600,000, provides that the township assessor must return assessment books or workbooks before June 15 (instead of April 15). Effective immediately.