Creates the Illinois Plain Language Task Force Act. Provides that a Task Force chaired by the Lieutenant Governor or his or her designee shall conduct a study on, and propose legislative measures designed to realize, the potential benefits of incorporating plain language in State government documents, statutes, and contracts into which the State enters and how plain language principles might be incorporated into the statutes governing contracts among private parties so as to provide additional protections to Illinois consumers, to reduce litigation between private parties over the meaning of contractual terms, and to foster judicial economy. Contains provisions regarding the term "plain language", the composition and duties of the Task Force, and the guidelines the Task Force will follow. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act. Provides that the Director of the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse within the Department of Human Services may publish an annual report on statewide drug overdose trends, may establish a program to provide for the publication of drug overdose prevention, recognition, and response literature, may provide advice to State and local officials concerning drug overdose problems, and may award grants to create or support local drug overdose prevention, recognition, and response projects. Requires a health care professional prescribing an opioid antidote to a patient to ensure that the patient receives certain patient information; provides for immunity from disciplinary or other adverse administrative action; and provides for administration of an opioid antidote in an emergency. Requires the Director of the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, in consultation with statewide organizations, to develop and disseminate to health care professionals, community-based organizations, substance abuse programs, and other organizations training materials in video, electronic, or other formats to facilitate the provision of the required patient information. Effective January 1, 2010.
Amends the Carnival and Amusement Rides Safety Act. Makes various changes regarding: applying for a permit to operate an amusement ride or amusement attraction at a carnival or fair; penalties for violation of the Act; notices and fact-finding conferences; procedures relating to criminal history records checks and checks of the National Sex Offender Public Registry; exemption of an amusement ride or amusement attraction that is subject to inspection by a political division of the State from the provisions of the Act; and exemption of carnival workers who are foreign nationals and have been granted visas by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in conjunction with the United States Department of Labor's H-2B or J-1 programs and are lawfully admitted into the United States from the background check requirement. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for 5 taxable years, each taxpayer is entitled to an income tax credit for an investment in a qualified venture capital fund in Illinois. Provides that (i) the fund must have its primary office in Illinois (ii) at least 50% of the total number of investments in the fund's portfolio must be in companies that are based in Illinois. The amount of the credit is based on several factors: economic need of the region in Illinois where the investment occurs, the population of the county in Illinois where the investment occurs, whether the company invested in is an Illinois company that is minority or women owned, and whether the investment is a seed-level investment in an Illinois company. The taxpayer may receive a credit in the amount of 10% of the taxpayer's investment if the investment meets one of the factors and 20% if the investment meets more than one of the factors. But the taxpayer is not eligible for the credit until the fund makes an investment in Illinois. Provides that the tax credit may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero, but may be carried forward for 5 years. Effective immediately.
Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that the homeowner notice attached to the summons in a residential mortgage foreclosure action shall include directions concerning giving written notice to any tenants about the foreclosure and the tenant's right to remain on the premises. Provides that an occupant may file an action for failure to provide notice and recover $200 plus actual damages, attorney's fees, and costs. Provides that a purchaser of property in a foreclosure must give notice to any occupants of the property that he or she has acquired the mortgaged real estate. Provides that a mortgagor in a foreclosure must notify any occupant or potential occupant of the foreclosure action. Provides that the purchaser of property sold at a court foreclosure sale must provide a notice of rights to occupants of the property within 7 days after the confirmation of the sale. Provides that until the rights of possession of all occupants of foreclosed property have been terminated, the purchaser of foreclosed property must maintain the property in a condition that is safe, healthful, and fit for occupancy. Provides that a receiver shall give similar written notices and may not increase the rent without leave of court. Provides that the court may allow a rent increase by a receiver or a mortgagee in possession if it finds that an increase is necessary to operate the property, after notice to all occupants affected by an increase, but nothing in the Act shall alter the lease. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Mourns the death of Gust Dasakis of Bartlett, formerly of Lombard.
Amends the Counties Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that when the defendant is charged with a non-violent crime, in setting the amount of bail, the court shall consider any evidence offered as to the annual gross income of the defendant.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the unlawful possession of firearms and firearm ammunition.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title of the Code.