Creates the Blind Vendors Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Blind Services, shall operate and promote the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth that the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act and the regulations adopted pursuant to that Act shall serve as the minimum standards for the operation of the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Provides that under the Program: (1) blind vendors have priority in the operation of all vending facilities on State property; (2) vending machine income from all vending machines on State property shall be assigned to the blind vendor on the property or to the Blind Vendors Trust Fund; (3) no State agency may impose any commission, service charge, rent, or utility charge on a blind vendor operating on State property; (4) sales made at a blind vendor's vending facility are exempt from all occupation and use taxes; and (5) State agencies may not allow competition with a blind vendor. Sets forth that the Bureau Director for the Bureau of the Blind and the Committee of Blind Vendors shall jointly develop regulations to ensure that priority is given to blind vendors in the operation of vending facilities on State property. Provides that the Department may provide for set-asides of the net proceeds of vending operations under certain conditions. Requires set-aside funds to be deposited in the Blind Vendors Trust Fund, a separate account managed by the Department for the State's blind vendors. Sets forth provisions for the distribution of vending machine income from vending machines on State property. Provides certain conditions for the licensing of blind vendors. Creates the Committee of Blind Vendors to jointly participate in the development and implementation of all policies, plans, and major decisions affecting the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth provisions for the composition of the Committee. Provides certain procedures for the resolution of disputes arising within the Program. Provides for the promulgation of regulations relating to the operation of this Act. Requires the Department to make regular surveys and reports on State property and vending facilities. Sets forth conditions and information to be contained in the surveys and reports. Preempts home rule powers. Repeals the Blind Persons Operating Vending Facilities Act. Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to provide that personal property purchased from a blind vendor's vending facility licensed by the Department of Human Services under the Blind Vendors Act is exempt from the taxes imposed by those Acts and that these exemptions are not subject to the sunset provisions of those Acts.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that tax exemptions for certain food and medical supplies for long-term care residents receiving medical assistance are exempt from the sunset provisions of the Acts. Effective immediately.
Amends the Banking Emergencies Act. Provides that, whenever the Commissioner becomes aware that an emergency exists, or is impending, he or she may, by proclamation, authorize any bank organized under the laws of another state, or of the United States, to open and operate offices in this State and to remain open until the Commissioner declares, by further proclamation, that the emergency or impending emergency has ended. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.
Amends the Illinois Manufacturing Technology Alliance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the annual report of the Illinois Gaming Board.
Creates the Safe Homes Act. Provides that a victim of domestic violence or sexual violence has certain rights with respect to the victim's dwelling unit. Provides that, depending upon the circumstances, the victim can obtain relief that includes: requiring that the landlord change the locks, allowing the victim to change the locks if the landlord does not act, terminating the lease, and imposing penalties on a landlord for certain violations. Provides definitions. Places obligations on landlords, tenants, and perpetrators of domestic or sexual violence. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that grandparents, great-grandparents, and siblings of a minor child may petition the court for visitation, provided that the petition must be filed in the county in which the child resides. Provides that a petition may be filed when the custodial parent denies visitation and the other parent is dead, missing for 3 months or more, incompetent, or incarcerated for 3 months preceding the filing of a petition. Provides that any visitation granted under this Section ends by operation of law if the child is adopted however, if one natural parent is dead and the surviving spouse remarries, a subsequent adoption will not terminate visitation granted by a court to parents of the deceased parent. Provides that a petitioner who seeks to overcome the presumption that a parent's actions regarding visitation by the grandparent, great-grandparent, or sibling are not harmful to the child's health may do so by proof that the child had a significant relationship with the petitioner that, once lost, will cause harm to the child or the petitioner was the primary caregiver of the child. Describes significant existing relationship with a grandchild. A grandparent is not required to present expert testimony to prove the existence of a significant existing relationship between the child and the grandparent. The court may apply a reasonable person standard to determine whether there is a significant relationship between the child and the grandparent, or that the loss of the relationship between the child and the grandparent is likely to cause severe emotional harm to the child. Provides that a child's parent may always file a petition to modify visitation upon changed circumstances. Deletes provision that grandparent visitation subsection does not apply to a child who is the subject of a pending juvenile court case. Deletes provision that bars any petition for visitation after adoption.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the School Code. Provides, beginning August 1, 2005, with certain exceptions, for the cancellation of or refusal to issue a driver's license for failure of an unmarried person under 18 years of age to maintain school attendance. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Requires the Division of Insurance of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to enforce the provisions of a Section concerning the firemen's continuance privilege, including provisions relating to municipality self-insured benefit plans. Effective immediately.