Creates the Prescribed Burning Act. Allows for the prescribed burning of certain land under specified circumstances when approved by a certified prescribed burn manager. Provides that no property owner or his agent, conducting a prescribed burn pursuant to the requirements of the Act, shall be liable for damage or injury caused by fire or resulting smoke, unless gross negligence is proven or unless conducted without the approval of a prescribed burn manager. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with the Office of the State Fire Marshall, shall promulgate rules to implement the Act. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed as requiring certification as a prescribed burn manager to conduct prescribed burning on one's own property or on the lands of another with the landowner's permission. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Proclaims March 4-10, 2007 and the first full week in March each year thereafter as Local Government Week in the State of Illinois.
Mourns the death of Allan Joseph Hamilton of Huntley.
Proclaims May 8, 2007 as National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day in the State of Illinois.
Mourns the death of David T. Murphy of Cary.
Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Requires the emergency operations plan to include the needs of those with pets and service animals.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 relating to disorderly conduct. Provides that engaging in any loud protests of singing, chanting, whistling, or yelling with or without noise amplification, displaying any visual images that convey fighting words or actual or veiled threats against any other person, engaging in a directed protest march or picket at any public location when any of these activities are conducted within 300 feet of any entrance to a facility being used for a funeral or memorial service, or blocking access to such facility at any time during the period starting 30 minutes before any funeral or memorial service is scheduled to begin and ending 30 minutes after the funeral or memorial service terminates is disorderly conduct in which the penalty is a Class C misdemeanor. Provides that the provisions of the Act are severable. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that each tax bill must include information that certain taxpayers may be eligible for tax exemptions, abatements, and other assistance programs and that, for more information, taxpayers should consult with the office of their township or county collector and with the Illinois Department of Revenue. Authorizes counties to establish and operate a homestead protection program under which the county treasurer may make payments from the indemnity fund to pay the delinquent taxes, along with all associated fees and interest, on the primary residence of eligible taxpayers. Provides that the county treasurer shall have a lien on the property in the amount of the assistance provided. Sets forth requirements for the program. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning credits and creditable service.
Amends the Children's Product Safety Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall be responsible for posting recall announcements and other information regarding the safety of children's products disseminated on the Internet.