Sen. Mike Jacobs

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that Conservation Police Officers have the powers of policemen throughout the State. Creates law enforcement divisions within the Department. Classifies positions. Creates a Conservation Police Merit Board to exercise jurisdiction over certification for appointment and promotion. Sets qualifications for officers. Contains other provisions.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Makes a technical change in a Section defining "Associate Procurement Officers".

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that for personnel under the jurisdiction of the State travel control boards, the allowance rate for automobile travel mileage reimbursement, which is the same as the rate set by federal regulations, shall be increased or decreased during the State's fiscal year as of the effective date of the federal regulations (now, increases do not take effect until the next July 1).

Creates the Volunteer Driver Protection Act. Provides that an insurer may not refuse to issue vehicle insurance to a person solely because the applicant is a volunteer driver and may not impose a surcharge or otherwise increase the rate for a vehicle policy solely on the basis that the named insured or any member of the insured's household or a person who customarily operates the insured's vehicle is a volunteer driver. Provides that the Act shall not prohibit an insurer from taking any actions upon factors other than the volunteer status of the insured driver. Provides that no producer of vehicle insurance may receive a license under the Illinois Insurance Code or any other professional regulation statute if the producer fails to certify under oath that the producer does not discriminate against volunteer drivers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Egg and Egg Products Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Chicago Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In provisions allowing a reduction in the amount the city would otherwise be required to contribute to the fund due to certain refunds and interest thereon, provides that no reduction shall be allowed for a fiscal year following a fiscal year in which the funded ratio of assets to liabilities is less than 70%. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the issuance of tax deeds, provides that a sale in error is not allowed for a failure to reimburse a municipality for its lien on the property if that municipal interest giving rise to the lien came into existence and was properly recorded at least one month prior to the purchase of the taxes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Sick Leave Bank Act. Permits a participating employee to use time contributed by his or her spouse who is employed by a different State agency, if the spouse has so earmarked the contributed time. Provides that if a spouse's contributed time is used, it may be used for the catastrophic illness or injury of the user's minor children.

Creates the Title Loan Consumer Protection Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Regional Planning Act. Provides for a review process for Projects of Regional Significance. Imposes a fee on counties and municipalities to be used to promote comprehensive land use and transportation planning. Provides for the General Assembly to match the fees. Requires the Board to review and make recommendations to designate a Metropolitan Planning Organization to coordinate decision-making. Contains other provisions.