Sen. Pamela J. Althoff

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 distinct identification card or driver's license; the Secretary of State shall determine by rule what forms of proof of a person's status as a veteran are acceptable; and the design of the distinct identification card is in the Secretary of State's discretion. Defines "veteran" as a person who has served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States and was discharged or separated under honorable conditions. Effective January 1, 2010.

Amends the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act. Provides that any contract awarded by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation under the predatory lending database program must be procured using competitive sealed bidding. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Defines as a prohibited political activity the wearing or displaying of items expressing support for or against a candidate or referendum question while registering voters as a deputy registrar or assisting persons in completing mail-in voter registration applications. Defines a "candidate" to include candidates for federal and local offices as well as State offices.

Applauds the extensive efforts of the "With Wings and A Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child" program in the State of Illinois and supports efforts to expand the program further and declares June 27, 2009 to be "With Wings and A Halo-R.E.A.C.H. a Child Day in the State of Illinois".

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in the short title provision.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning exclusive State powers or functions.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county with a population of less than 1,000,000 may levy an annual tax for farmland preservation easement purposes. Provides that the tax may not exceed 0.05% of the equalized assessed value of taxable property in the county. Provides that the tax must be approved by referendum. Provides that the tax may be discontinued by referendum. Provides that a referendum to levy or discontinue a tax for county farmland preservation easement purposes may be initiated by a petition signed by a number of electors equal to at least 0.5% of the total number of votes cast in the county during the last preceding gubernatorial election. Provides that moneys in the county farmland preservation easement fund shall be used by the county for the purchase of easements to preserve farmland within the county.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that in a county with fewer than 2,000,000 inhabitants that certain contracts in excess of $50,000 (instead of $20,000) must be let by competitive bidding. Amends the Township Code. Provides that in townships that certain contracts in excess of $50,000 (instead of $20,000) must be let by competitive bidding. Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that certain contracts that are entered into by a highway commissioner of a road district that are in excess of $50,000 (instead of $20,000) must be let by competitive bidding. Effective immediately.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that Illinois Department of Children and Family Services shall charge a fee for issuing or renewing a license on every child care facility, other than a foster home. Provides that the Department may fine any child care facility, other than a foster home, for a violation of the Act. Provides that all fees and fines collected by the Department under the Act shall be deposited into the DCFS Children's Services Fund and must be used to enhance services by the Department pursuant to the Act. Provides that the Department shall prescribe and publish a schedule for the fees and fines under the Act. Adds as one of the grounds for discipline the failure to pay a renewal fee or fine owed to the Department under the Act. Makes other changes.

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.