Sen. Dan Kotowski

Creates the Child-Safe Chemicals Act. Regulates the sale and distribution of children's products or product components containing lead or other specified chemicals. Designates priority chemicals of high concern. Requires manufacturers and trade associations to report to the Environmental Protection Agency. Sets forth the responsibilities of the Agency. Provides for exemptions. Requires the Agency to create an interstate clearinghouse. Contains provisions for implementation and enforcement. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Illinois Insurance Code, and the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Provides that a policy or plan that provides coverage for hospital or medical treatment on an expense incurred basis, may offer wellness coverage that allows for a reward, a health spending account contribution, a reduction in premiums or reduced medical, prescription drug or equipment copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles, or a combination of these incentives, for participation in any health behavior wellness, maintenance, or improvement program approved or offered by the insurer or managed care plan. Provides that "wellness coverage" means health care coverage with the primary purpose to engage and motivate the insured or enrollee through: incentives; provision of health education, counseling, and self-management skills; identification of modifiable health risks; and other activities to influence health behavior changes. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2009.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires an electric utility to procure or obtain renewable energy resources in amounts equal to provided quantities. Requires an electric utility to report to the Illinois Commerce Commission regarding compliance with renewable energy resource standards by April 1 of each year beginning in 2008. Provides penalties for an electric utility that fails to procure or obtain the full amount of renewable energy resources as required by specified provisions. Provides that the Commission shall adopt rules as necessary within 12 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act to assist in implementing methods of procurement, accounting, tracking, and reporting in order to achieve the stated objectives. Provides that electric utilities may enter into long-term contracts of up to 20 years with providers of renewable energy resources. Provides that the provisions shall not prohibit an electric utility from issuing a competitive solicitation for renewable energy resources in order to meet the required standards. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Raises the maximum age of a dependent child that a policy of accident and health insurance may insure, originally or by subsequent amendment, upon the application of an adult member of a family who shall be deemed the policyholder, from 19 to 24. Provides that if the limiting age under the policy is less than 25 years of age, then the insurer shall, upon application of the dependent child, provide coverage after that specific age, until the dependent child is 25 years of age.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning rates.

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires that the Governor's submitted budget include information concerning the amount and description of overdue bills and invoices under the State Prompt Payment Act. Amends the Prompt Payment Act. Accelerates the payment period from 60 days after the bill is submitted to 30 days after the bill is submitted. Increases the interest penalty from 1% to 1.5% if the payment is not made within 60 days after the bill is submitted. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, in any 12-month period, a home rule county may not increase the rates of county occupation taxes by more than a 1/2% increment without referendum approval. Provides that, if a majority of the electors voting on the question vote in the affirmative, then the rate of each of those taxes is the rate approved by the electors. Effective immediately.

Amends the Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act. Provides that the electors of any school district, public community college district, municipality, municipal corporation, or unit of local government may pass, by initiative petition and referendum, a binding ordinance adopting the provisions of the Act (at present, these entities may adopt the provisions of the Act by ordinance or resolution). Provides the requirements for filing a petition and hearing an objection to a petition.

Creates the Pharmaceutical Consumer Protection Act. Provides that, with regard to a prescription for a drug that is written by a prescriber within Illinois or that is dispensed within Illinois, a prescriber, company, pharmacy, or prescription drug information intermediary may not license, use, sell, transfer, or exchange for value, for any commercial purpose, prescription drug information that identifies directly or indirectly the individual or the prescriber, with specified exceptions. Provides that any person who violates any provision of the Act commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and makes a corresponding change in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that if the Director of Public Health determines that it would be in the best interests of the residents of a nursing home to do so, the Director may require that the nursing home use the amount of any penalty assessed under the Act for the purpose of implementing a directed plan of correction rather than pay the amount of the penalty to the Department of Public Health for deposit into the Long Term Care Monitor/Receiver Fund. Effective immediately.