Sen. Susan Garrett

Affirms the General Assembly's commitment to the importance of supporting and improving health outcomes for people with developmental disabilities, urges all service providers to adopt preventative health practices and work with those they serve to ultimately improve health outcomes, and encourages the Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities to develop health related outcomes and standards as part of its quality management and monitoring efforts.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, provides that the definition of "base year" means the taxable year in which the applicant first qualifies and applies for the exemption (now, "base year" means the year prior to the taxable year in which the applicant first qualifies and applies for the exemption). Effective January 1, 2008.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no company may cancel, terminate, or refuse to renew any policy of property and casualty insurance during the pendency of a claim in which the primary residence of the policyholder is or comes to be uninhabitable, unoccupied, or under construction or has yet to be permanently repaired. Provides that any of the following acts by an insurer shall constitute improper claims practice: (1) paying an appraiser, contractor, or vendor involved in providing services or estimates for appraising the value of any loss for repairing a policyholder's home; (2) compelling a policyholder as to which appraiser, vendor, or contractor the policyholder must use for the repair; (3) failing to reimburse a policyholder within 30 days after receiving proof of reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses; or (4) denying a policyholder's request for reimbursement without a written explanation within 30 days after a policyholder's request. Eliminates the $60,000 limit on the part of the taxable costs a court may allow in any action by or against a company where there is in issue the liability of a company on a policy or policies of insurance or the amount of the loss payable thereunder or where there is an unreasonable delay in settling a claim, and it appears to the court that such action or delay is vexatious and unreasonable. Effective immediately.

Amends the Health Facilities Planning Act. Provides that the term "health care facilities" includes (i) an institution, place, building or room that is used for the delivery of health care and exceeds the capital expenditure minimum, and (ii) certain diagnostic imaging centers. Extends the repeal of the Act to July 1, 2012 (now, April 1, 2007). Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Climate Change Act. Provides that the Governor, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint to the Environmental Protection Agency a Deputy Director for Climate Change to supervise Agency programs designed to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions level in this State. Provides that the Agency shall conduct an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in the State. Provides that the Agency shall report its findings to the Governor and the General Assembly and that, by July 1, 2008, the Agency shall present to the Governor and General Assembly a plan to significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions level in the State by the year 2020. Requires the Agency to consult with other states and the federal government about the most effective strategies and methods to reduce greenhouse gases. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the powers and duties of the Departments of Human Services and Healthcare and Family Services.

Amends the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Contains legislative findings. Provides that no mobile home park owner shall finally accept any offer for the sale, lease, or transfer of a mobile home park without first giving 60 days' notice to each tenant and to the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Provides that, during the notice period, the park owner shall consider any offer received from the tenants or a tenants' association and negotiate in good faith with the tenants concerning a potential purchase or lease. Contains provisions regarding: offers to purchase or lease the mobile home park; notice contents and requirements; furnishing a tenant's representative, upon request, with a copy of a written offer and other documents; exceptions to the notice requirements; required contents of leases; and other matters. Contains severability provisions.

Creates the Budget Forecast, Accountability, and Ethics Act. Requires each State agency to make available for public inspection and copying any standard budget documentation and information that the agency is required to file with the General Assembly. Requires that all appropriation bills that are recommended to the General Assembly by the Governor in the State Budget Address must be made conveniently available to the public on the General Assembly's Internet website no later than 2 days after the submission of the bills by the Governor under the State Budget Law. Provides that a bill making an appropriation may not be considered for final passage by either the House of Representatives or the Senate unless a copy of that bill, in its final form, has been made conveniently available on the General Assembly's Internet website for at least 5 days before the bill is considered for final passage by that chamber and provides that a motion adopted by a record vote of at least three-fifths of the members elected, the House of Representatives or the Senate may provide that this restriction does not apply to that chamber with respect to any one or more bills specified in the motion by bill number. Requires that the Governor's budget must include projections of revenues and expenditures for the budget year and the fiscal year following the budget year, and sets forth requirements for those projections. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to make a corresponding change. Amends the Governor's Office of Management and Budget Act. Sets forth deadlines for certain budget activities by State agencies. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law. Requires the Department of Central Management Services, in cooperation with the Department of Human Services, to develop and implement plans to increase the number of individuals with a disability employed by State government. Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in cooperation with the Department of Human Services, to develop and implement a public awareness campaign designed to increase statewide awareness of issues that affect individuals with a disability. Sets forth requirements for the public awareness campaign. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish procedures and adopt rules for the certification of employees and individuals with a disability with respect to certain tax credits set forth under the Illinois Income Tax Act. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Requires that each notice of a contract contain a statement to encourage prospective vendors to hire individuals with a disability. Provides that a chief procurement officer may encourage prospective vendors to consider hiring individuals with a disability. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a tax credit for taxpayers who, during the taxable year, pay wages to an employee with a disability. Creates a tax credit for taxpayers who, during the taxable year, hire a net new qualified employee with a disability. Creates a tax credit for taxpayers who are qualified individuals with a disability. Sets forth the amounts and requirements for these credits. Effective immediately.

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.