Sen. Michael Noland

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the evaluation of certified employees.

Amends the Tobacco Accessories and Smoking Herbs Control Act. Provides that a person may not knowingly sell, distribute, or offer for sale or distribution in this State or to any person in this State any tobacco product or any component part thereof (including but not limited to the tobacco, paper, or filter, and any components for roll-your-own cigarettes), which contains a constituent (including a smoke constituent) or additive or artificial or natural flavoring that produces a characterizing flavor. Provides that a violation is a Class C misdemeanor.

Amends the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Provides for automatic lease renewal for 2 years unless certain requirements are met, such as a 30-day notice and a notice of reasons for the non-renewal of the lease. Provides that the park owner is to give 12 months notice of closing all or part of the park. Provides for the park owner and tenant or tenant association to use a State certified general real estate appraiser, selected by the parties or the court, to prepare an appraisal to determine the appropriate amount for rent and fees. Provides that the appraisal is subject to court review. Makes other changes.

Appropriates $300,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for capital expenses for the Community Crisis Center of Elgin. Effective July 1, 2008.

Designates Route 20 within the Elgin city limits as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway in honor of the life and legacy of America's greatest champion of racial justice and equality.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to limit the right of persons licensed under the Act to delegate tasks or duties to licensed or unlicensed personnel who have the training or experience to perform the tasks or duties so delegated. Amends the Electrologist Licensing Act. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to prevent a person functioning as an assistant to a person licensed to practice medicine in all its branches from being delegated tasks or duties for which he or she has the training or experience to perform (instead of from providing electrology services). Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may issue a license to an individual who failed to apply for licensure under the grandfathering provision of the Act within one year after the effective date of the rules adopted under the Act, but who otherwise meets the qualifications set forth in the provision, provided that the individual submits a completed application for licensure as required within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. 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 Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that the Act applies to maintenance, repair, assembly, or disassembly work performed on equipment whether owned, leased, or rented. Provides that all contractors and subcontractors required to pay the prevailing wage shall make payment of the wage in legal tender without a deduction for food, sleeping accommodations, transportation, use of tools, or any other thing of any kind or description.

Amends the Fire Protection and Rescue Services Article of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act. For purposes of the Article, defines "local public entity" to include, but not be limited to, a private person, organization, or corporation that provides support or assistance to a fire department, fire protection district, or rescue squad district during an emergency at the specific request of the fire chief or the chief's designee of a fire department, fire protection district, or rescue squad district pursuant to a formal mutual aid system such as the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System.

Creates the E-Verify Utilization Act. Contains only a short title provision.