Sen. Terry Link

Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Adds a provision requiring that the Plan provide coverage for mammograms and prosthetic devices or reconstructive surgery incident to a mastectomy, Pap tests, prostate-specific antigen tests, colorectal cancer examination and screening, and contraceptives as required under certain Sections of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that any expense or charge for routine physical examinations or tests related to certain covered benefits are not excluded from coverage under the Plan. Deletes a provision excluding any expense or charge for oral contraceptives used for birth control or any other temporary birth control measures from coverage under the Plan.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an alternate research and development credit for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2007 for taxpayers who make qualified research expenditures during the taxable year. Provides that the amount of the credit for taxpayers who have conducted business activities in each of the 3 preceding taxable years is 12% of: (i) the amount of qualified research expenditures made in the current taxable year; less (ii) 50% of the average of the qualified research expenditures made for the 3 preceding taxable years. Provides that the amount of the credit for taxpayers who have not conducted business activities in each of the 3 preceding taxable years is 6.5% of the qualified research expenditures made in the current taxable year. Provides that the credit may be carried forward for 5 years. Exempts the credit from the Act's sunset provisions. Prohibits taxpayers from claiming the credit if they claim a research and development credit under other provisions of the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Cook County Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Deletes provisions concerning the expense reserve, county contribution reserve, employee's contribution reserve, annuity payment reserve, prior service annuity reserve, child's annuity reserve, duty disability reserve, ordinary disability reserve, gift reserve, investment and interest reserve, supplementary payment reserve, and optional contribution reserve. Makes corresponding changes. Provides that an adequate system of accounts and records shall be established to report the financial condition of the County Employees' and Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund and that such additional data as is necessary for required calculations, actuarial valuations, and operation of the fund shall be maintained. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Raises the actual and reasonable cost limits for loss due to the theft of a rental motor vehicle to up to $2,008 (instead of up to $2,000).

Amends the Cigarette Tax Act. Requires tax stamps on cigarettes to indicate whether tax on those cigarettes was paid. Sets forth requirements for the handling of unstamped cigarettes. Sets forth fines and penalties under the Act. Limits the number of cartons of cigarettes that a retailer may sell in a single transaction. Sets forth requirements concerning applications for licensure under the Act. Sets forth requirements on distributors with respect to the Department of Revenue. Requires sub-certificates of registration for retailers and sets forth requirements and procedures for granting, revoking, cancelling, or suspending a sub-certificate. Requires the Department to maintain a list of all suspended, cancelled, and revoked licenses, permits, or sub-certificates under the Act. Requires the Department to assign unique stamp and meter impression numbers to distributors and out-of-state manufacturers. Requires retailers to maintain certain records. Sets forth procedures for the forfeiture and destruction of contraband cigarettes. Repeals Sections concerning transporters and the cessation of business by distributors. Amends the Prevention of Cigarette Sales to Minors Act. Sets forth various requirements with respect to shipping, registration, and reporting to prevent delivery sales to minors. Requires certain standards for delivery sales. Requires the Department to establish a tip line for reporting violations of the Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Cigarette Tax Act. Requires tax stamps on cigarettes to indicate whether tax on those cigarettes was paid. Sets forth requirements for the handling of unstamped cigarettes. Sets forth fines and penalties under the Act. Limits the number of cartons of cigarettes that a retailer may sell in a single transaction. Sets forth requirements concerning applications for licensure under the Act. Sets forth requirements on distributors with respect to the Department of Revenue. Requires sub-certificates of registration for retailers and sets forth requirements and procedures for granting, revoking, cancelling, or suspending a sub-certificate. Requires the Department to maintain a list of all suspended, cancelled, and revoked licenses, permits, or sub-certificates under the Act. Requires the Department to assign unique stamp and meter impression numbers to distributors and out-of-state manufacturers. Requires retailers to maintain certain records. Sets forth procedures for the forfeiture and destruction of contraband cigarettes. Repeals Sections concerning transporters and the cessation of business by distributors. Amends the Prevention of Cigarette Sales to Minors Act. Sets forth various requirements with respect to shipping, registration, and reporting to prevent delivery sales to minors. Requires certain standards for delivery sales. Requires the Department to establish a tip line for reporting violations of the Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $250,000 to the Department of Public Health from the General Revenue Fund for a Chronic Kidney Disease Awareness, Testing, Diagnosis and Treatment Program established by Public Act 94-81. Effective July 1, 2008.

Mourns the death of John L. Balen of Waukegan.

Mourns the death of John L. Robison of Waukegan.

Creates the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Provides that a public agency or private entity in possession of biometric identifiers or biometric information must develop a written policy, made available to the public, establishing a retention schedule and guidelines for permanently destroying biometric identifiers and biometric information when the initial purpose for collecting or obtaining such identifiers or information has been satisfied or within 3 years of the individual's last interaction with the public agency or private entity. Provides that absent a valid warrant or subpoena, a public agency or private entity in possession of biometric identifiers or biometric information must comply with its established retention schedule and destruction guidelines. Provides that no public agency or private entity may collect, capture, purchase, receive through trade, or otherwise obtain a person's or a customer's biometric identifier or biometric information, unless it first satisfies certain conditions. Provides that these provisions do not apply to a public agency engaged in criminal investigations or prosecutions or a public agency acting pursuant to a valid warrant or subpoena. Provides that a public agency in possession of biometric identifiers or biometric information shall store, transmit, and protect from disclosure all biometric identifiers and biometric information in a manner that is the same as or more protective than the manner in which the public agency stores, transmits, and protects other confidential and sensitive information. Provides that any person aggrieved by a violation of this Act shall have a right of action in a State circuit court or as a supplemental claim in federal district court. Preempts home rule. Contains other provisions.