Sen. Kirk W. Dillard

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall, by January 1, 2011, establish uniform procedures by which interested parties, including victims, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the Prisoner Review Board, may be notified of, and comment upon, the projected early release of an inmate because of an award of good conduct credit for meritorious service. Provides that these rules and regulations must provide that comments be submitted in writing or electronically. Provides that upon promulgation of these rules and regulations, the Department of Corrections may consider and shall include in the inmate's record any comments submitted by interested parties. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that beginning with the general election in 2012, counties having a population between 800,000 and 3,000,000 shall have no more than 12 members on their county board. Provides that the members of the county board shall be elected from single-member districts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Prohibits bringing a claim in a civil action if the claim is based, in whole or in part, on an act or omission that occurred more than 15 years before the claim was brought. Contains applicability provisions. Repeals a provision concerning limitations in product liability actions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that within 90 days after filing an appearance (instead of prior to filing any other pleading other than a motion for an extension of time within which to plead), a party may object to the court exercising personal jurisdiction over the party. Provides that participating in the litigation does not waive the jurisdictional argument (and deletes a provision that if a party files a responsive pleading other than a motion for an extension of time prior to filing a motion to dismiss or to quash service of process, the party waives all objections to the court's jurisdiction over the party's person). Deletes a provision that states that error in ruling against an objecting party is waived by that party taking part in further proceedings in the case unless the objection is on the basis of the party not being amenable to service by an Illinois court. The changes made apply to actions filed after the effective date. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a credit in an amount equal to all amounts paid by the taxpayer on behalf of the taxpayer's employees for the purpose of learning a second language. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Prohibits holders of and candidates for executive branch constitutional offices and General Assembly seats, their political committees, and legislative caucus political committees from holding fundraising functions in Sangamon County at any time (now, those persons and entities are prohibited at certain times of the year). Preserves the exception for General Assembly members and candidates from districts entirely within Sangamon County. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that no new grade crossings of public highways with railroads may be established in the State of Illinois on or after July 1, 2009. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy Law. Provides that the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy Law shall develop an additional residential campus in a county with a population less then 400,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the University of Illinois Trustees Act. Provides that on the effective date of the amendatory Act, the terms for the sitting trustees of the University of Illinois that are not students shall be terminated. Provides that the Governor shall appoint trustees for the vacancies as soon as practical. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the State Finance Act. Creates the Healthy Trees, Happy Homes Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides for the issuance of Healthy Trees, Happy Homes license plates. Provides that in addition to the appropriate registration fees, an applicant for the special plate shall be charged a fee of $40 at original issuance and $27 at renewal. Provides that $25 of the additional original issuance fee and the renewal fee shall be deposited into the Healthy Trees, Happy Homes Fund. Provides that $15 of the original issuance fee and $2 of the renewal fee shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and approval by the Secretary of State, the moneys in the Healthy Trees, Happy Homes Fund shall be paid to the Illinois Arborist Association for the purpose of training professional arborists in the latest advancements in the tree care industry, educating homeowners and children about the importance of tree care, and tree planting programs.