Sen. Mattie Hunter

Amends the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Act. Changes references from "MAP-eligible institution" to "eligible institution" and provides that the term also means an institution not located in the State that otherwise, in the judgment of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, meets standards substantially equivalent to those described in the definition of "institution of higher learning" as defined in specified provisions of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act and whose students are eligible to receive benefits under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as specified by the federal Small Business Act of 1996 and subsequent amendments to that federal law. Provides that a prepaid tuition contract shall include, but is not limited to, provisions for portability of the accrued value of the prepayment value for use at an eligible institution located outside the State. Makes conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2010.

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law, the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, and the State Finance Act. Changes the name of the "Ticket For The Cure Fund" to the "Carolyn Adams Ticket For The Cure Grant Fund". Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. In the seizure and forfeiture provisions concerning a vehicle that is seized for certain DUI violations of the owner of the vehicle, changes cross references to reflect changes in the DUI statute. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Extends the credit for affordable housing donations through the taxable year ending on December 31, 2016 (instead of 2011). Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2011, a county with a population of more than 3,000,000 is required to accept payment by credit card for each installment of property taxes. Provides that the county is not required to accept payment by credit card for the payment on any installment of taxes that is delinquent under certain provisions of the Property Tax Code or for the purposes of any tax sale or scavenger sale. Preempts the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Whistleblower Act. Provides that "employee" means any individual who is employed on a full-time, part-time, or contractual basis by an employer and also includes a licensed physician who practices his or her profession, in whole or in part, at a hospital, nursing home, clinic, or any medical facility that is a health care facility funded, in whole or in part, by the State (instead of any individual who is employed on a full-time, part-time, or contractual basis by an employer).

Amends the Mortgage Foreclosure Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Defines "loss mitigation" as a program or mechanism designed to maximize the opportunity for a mortgagor to retain ownership of the mortgaged real estate and cure delinquencies on his or her mortgage or for a mortgagor and mortgagee to mitigate losses that would result from foreclosure by using alternatives to foreclosure. Provides that a foreclosure complaint shall include a statement as to loss mitigation. Provides that a judgment of foreclosure shall include a finding by the court that the mortgagee has complied with applicable loss mitigation requirements or there are no applicable loss mitigation requirements, and provides that if the court finds that the mortgagee has not complied with applicable loss mitigation requirements, the court shall stay the matter until the court determines that the mortgagee has complied with those requirements. Adds failure by the mortgagee to fulfill applicable loss mitigation requirements as a condition under which the court shall not enter an order confirming a judicial sale.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a prisoner serving a sentence for aggravated domestic battery shall receive no more than 4.5 days of good conduct credit for each month of his or her sentence of imprisonment. Effective immediately.

Amends the MR/DD Community Care Act. Includes the size of the facility licensed under the Act to the list of factors the Director of Public Health is to consider when making a determination as to possible penalties for a violation. Effective July 1, 2010.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that it is an affirmative defense to a forcible entry action if the demand for possession is based on: the status of the tenant, lessee, or household member as a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual violence; an incident of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual violence against a tenant, lessee, or household member; or criminal activity engaged in by a member of a tenant's or lessee's household or any guest or other person under the tenant's, lessee's, or household member's control directly relating to domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual violence and against the tenant, lessee, or household member. Provides that the existence of the affirmative defense does not prevent a landlord from seeking possession solely against a tenant, household member, or lessee who perpetrated the violence. Effective immediately.