Sen. Michael Bond

Creates the Homeowners' Solar Rights Act. Provides that each homeowners' association and condominium unit owners' association shall adopt an energy policy statement concerning the location, design, and architectural requirements of solar energy systems or other energy devices. Provides that any entity that complies with the Act is not liable to any other resident or third party for such compliance. Provides that the Act does not apply to a building more than 30 feet in height. Includes other provisions.

Creates the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to operate as a debt settlement provider or engage in debt settlement service except as authorized by the Act and without first having obtained a license under the Act. Contains provisions concerning the (1) application for a license, (2) qualifications for licensure, (3) renewal of a license, (4) display requirements for a license, (5) temporary licensed locations, (6) denial of a license, (7) revocation or suspension of a license, (8) maintenance of records by a licensee, (9) examination of a licensee, (10) maintenance of trust funds by a licensee, and (11) other licensee businesses. With respect to the Director of Financial Institutions, contains provisions concerning the (1) adoption of rules by the Director, (2) penalties for violations of the Act, (3) procedure the Director may take to obtain an injunction, (4) review of decisions, (5) issuance of cease and desist orders. Contains provisions concerning (1) advertising practices, (2) individualized financial analysis, (3) required disclosures, (4) debt settlement contracts, (5) fees, (6) consumer settlement accounts, (7) cancellation of contracts, (8) obligations of good faith, (9) prohibited practices and noncompliance with the Act, and (10) civil remedies. Amends the Debt Management Service Act to exclude "debt settlement service" and attorneys engaged in specific practices from the Act. Amends the State Finance Act to provide that moneys collected under the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act shall be deposited into the Financial Institution Fund. Contains a severability clause. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to specify that a violation of the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act is a violation of the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. With respect to Illinois Veteran grants and Illinois National Guard and Naval Militia grants, provides that a person who otherwise qualifies for a grant may relinquish his or her entitlement to the grant and instead transfer that entitlement to his or her spouse, natural child, legally adopted child, or step-child. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning possession of explosives or explosive or incendiary devices.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice for a tower to misrepresent an affiliation with the State, a unit of local government, an insurance company, a private club, or any other entity for the purpose of securing a business transaction with a vehicle owner or operator.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning legislative intent in connection with public assistance fraud.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Makes a technical change concerning the Act's purpose.

Creates the Community Youth Employment Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall administer a competitive grant program to provide 2,500 youths with stipends and supervision over a 6-week summer work period. Sets forth criteria for receiving grants under the Act. Provides a budget for the use of grant moneys awarded. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Dangerous Animals Act. Prohibits a person from having a right of property in, keeping, harboring, caring for, acting as custodian of or maintaining in his or her possession any primate, except at a properly maintained zoological park, federally licensed exhibit, circus, college or university, scientific institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital, hound running area, or animal refuge in an escape-proof enclosure. Provides that this provision does not prohibit a person who had lawful possession of a primate before January 1, 2011, from continuing to possess that primate if the person registers the animal by providing written notification to the local animal control administrator on or before April 1, 2011. Provides for other notification requirements.

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.