Sen. Pamela J. Althoff

Amends the Mechanics Lien Act. Provides that, to obtain a lien under the Act, the work shall be done or the material furnished: within 3 years from the commencement of the work or the commencement of furnishing the material in the case of work done or material furnished as to owner-occupied residential property; and within 5 years from the commencement of the work or the commencement of furnishing the material in the case of work done or material furnished as to any other type of property. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act become inoperative 3 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Establishes NPDES permit fees for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. In provision permitting a service animal to accompany a student with a disability at all school functions, whether in or outside the classroom, defines "service animal" to include an animal trained or being trained as: a hearing animal; a guide animal; an assistance animal; a seizure alert animal; a mobility animal; a psychiatric service animal; or an autism service animal. Provides that reasonable accommodations must be sought for the use of a service animal to accompany a student with a disability at all school functions, whether in or outside the classroom (rather than the service animal being permitted at all school functions). Amends the Guide Dog Access Act. Changes the title of the Act to the Service Dog Access Act. Includes mobility, psychiatric service, and autism service dogs in the list of animals that must be allowed access to a public place of accommodation if such dog is wearing a harness, backpack, or vest identifying the dog as a trained service dog and such person presents credentials for inspection issued by a school for training guide, leader, seizure-alert, seizure-response, or autism service dogs. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning a county board's use of tax moneys.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that the statute of limitations for a prosecution for involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons for forced labor or services may be commenced within one year of the victim attaining the age of 18 years. Provides that in no case shall the time period for prosecution of those offenses expire sooner than 3 years after the commission of the offense. Includes in the offense of involuntary servitude using a scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause the person to believe that, if the person did not perform that labor or services, that person or another person would suffer serious harm or physical restraint. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in prosecutions for involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, and trafficking in persons, when the offense involves sexual activity, the prior sexual activity or the reputation of the alleged victim or corroborating witness is inadmissible except under certain circumstances. Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Includes in the definition of "sex offense" trafficking in persons, involuntary servitude, and related offenses, provided the offense involved commercial sexual activity, a sexually-explicit performance, or the production of pornography. Also includes in the definition of "sex offense", involuntary sexual servitude of a minor.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that, if, under Article 5 of the Illinois Income Tax Act, the Department of Revenue prints on its standard individual income tax form a provision indicating that a taxpayer may contribute to a fund, then that fund is not subject to sweeps or administrative charge-backs. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Department of Human Services Act, the Military Code of Illinois, the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, the Energy Assistance Act, the Epilepsy Disease Assistance Act, and the Illinois Public Health and Safety Animal Population Control Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Governmental Account Audit Act, Counties Code, and Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that all specified governmental units, counties, and municipalities must submit specified reports with the Comptroller electronically, and the Comptroller must post the reports on the internet no later than 45 days after they are received. Provides that the county board of any county (now, counties having a population of over 10,000 but less than 500,000) shall be required to perform an annual audit on funds and accounts of the county, which shall be filed with the Office of the Comptroller. Provides that the requirement concerning electronic filing may be waived if sufficient evidence is provided to the Comptroller that the report cannot be filed electronically. Sets forth posting requirements and penalties for delinquent reports. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule units. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that complaints affecting the assessment of property shall be filed on or before 30 calendar days after the date of publication of the assessment list (now, those complaints must be filed on or before the 10th day of August in counties with less than 150,000 inhabitants and on or before the 10th day of September in counties with 150,000 or more but less than 3,000,000 inhabitants). Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that after June 1, 2012 persons may not be nominated for General Assembly scholarships and that General Assembly scholarships may not be awarded after that date unless the nomination is made prior to that date. Prevents both second nominations for any lapsed General Assembly scholarship and nominating persons to the unused or unexpired parts of any vacated General Assembly scholarship after June 1, 2012. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act and Illinois Vehicle Code to provide that: the Secretary of State must inquire as to whether an applicant for a State identification card or driver's license is a veteran for purposes of issuing a State identification card or driver's license with a veteran designation; the Secretary shall determine by rule what forms of proof of a person's status as a veteran are acceptable; and the Secretary may disclose an individual's social security number or associated information to the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs for the purpose of confirming veteran status. Defines "veteran" and other terms. Effective January 1, 2013.