Sen. Matt Murphy

Mourns the death of Harold J. "Hal" Predovich of Naperville, formerly of Mt. Prospect and Plainfield.

Mourns the death of Susan Kenley-Rupnow of Hoffman Estates.

Mourns the death of Anne Marie O'Neill.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption, under which an exemption from the property's value is granted for residential property that is owned and occupied as a residence by a veteran for the tax year in which the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. Effective immediately.

Proposes to amend the Executive Article of the Illinois Constitution. Eliminates the Office of the Comptroller. Provides that the Treasurer shall (i) maintain the State's central fiscal accounts and order payments into and out of the funds held by him or her, (ii) be responsible for the safekeeping and investment of monies and securities deposited with him or her, and for their disbursement upon his or her order, and (iii) have the duties and powers that may be prescribed by law. Effective upon being declared adopted, and applies upon conclusion of the terms of the Comptroller and Treasurer elected in 2006.

Amends the School Code. With respect to the exceptions to the requirement that a school board award contracts involving an expenditure in excess of $10,000 to the lowest responsible bidder, removes the exceptions for contracts for the purchase of natural gas when the cost is less than that offered by a public utility and for utility services such as light and heat. Provides that a school board must award utility contracts, such as natural gas or electricity, involving an expenditure in excess of $10,000 to the lowest responsible bidder. Provides that if a school district joins a utility consortium, then that consortium must award utility contracts involving an expenditure in excess of $10,000 to the lowest responsible bidder. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law. Requires the Department to establish and maintain a website known as the Illinois Accountability Portal. The website shall provide direct access to information concerning State employees and individual consultants, State expenditures, State tax credits, and revocations and suspensions of occupation and use tax certificates of registration and professional licenses.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, provides that in all counties (now, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants), the county board may by resolution provide that if a person has been granted a homestead exemption under this Section, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, provides that in all counties (now, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants), the county board may by resolution provide that if a person has been granted a homestead exemption under this Section, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption.

Creates the Social Networking Website Prohibition Act. Provides that each public library must prohibit access to social networking websites on all computers made available to the public in the library. Provides that each public school must prohibit access to social networking websites on all computers made available to students in the school. Provides for enforcement by the Attorney General or a citizen. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective January 1, 2008.