Sen. Gary G. Dahl

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law. Requires the Department to conduct a study to identify current and projected shortages in critical occupations and specific skill sets within Illinois businesses and industries and to devise strategies to alleviate any identified shortages. Requires all State agencies to cooperate with the Department in conducting the study. Requires the Department to report the results of its study and its recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than February 1, 2008. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that, for persons dying after December 31, 2007 (now, December 31, 2009), the "State tax credit" is the amount of the federal credit for state tax allowable under the Internal Revenue Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Governor's Office of Management and Budget Act. Requires GOMB to establish a single updated searchable database website accessible by the public at no cost that includes information concerning each entity that receives Illinois funding. Requires GOMB to report to the General Assembly concerning the website. Effective immediately.

Creates the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Education Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health, subject to appropriation, shall establish the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Education Program to promote public awareness of the syndrome and the importance of early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Provides that the Department shall work with health care providers, local public health agencies, and other appropriate agencies to coordinate and promote professional education programs. Provides that the Department may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source for the purposes of carrying out its duties under the Act.

Amends the Illinois Noxious Weed Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title of the Act.

Creates the State Facility Overtime Act. Provides that the Director of the State agency responsible for the operation of specified State facilities (or the Director's designee or agent) may not require an employee to accept work in excess of an agreed upon, predetermined, and regularly scheduled daily work shift, not to exceed 40 hours per week. Provides for: exceptions to the prohibition; posting a summary of the Act and applicable rules; investigation of complaints by the Illinois Department of Labor and disposition of complaints; adoption of administrative rules; construction; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act. Provides that joint insurance pools and other intergovernmental cooperatives offering insurance are subject to the Illinois Insurance Code's regulation of improper claims practices and attorney fees. If the Director of Insurance finds that a pool or cooperative has engaged in an improper claims practice, authorizes the Director to issue charges against the pool or cooperative, conduct a hearing on the charges, suspend the pool's or cooperative's authority to self-insure for up to 6 months, and impose a civil penalty of up to $250,000.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that State funds may not be used to provide the Governor with, nor to reimburse the Governor for the cost of, more than one round trip from the Governor's county of residence to the seat of government during any week when the General Assembly is in session. Makes an exception for emergency situations. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois State Auditing Act. Provides for the establishment and operation within the Office of the Auditor General of an Appropriations Earmark Unit to conduct performance audits of earmarked appropriations that were not included as a separate line item in the Governor's proposed annual State budget. Requires operation of a telephone hot line to receive anonymous suggestions for audits of grant programs and earmarked appropriations. Requires the audits to be public records and filed with the Legislative Audit Commission. Requires a majority vote of the Commission in order to direct the Auditor General to cease conducting an audit. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that up to one-half of the amounts collected from a hotel tax imposed by a municipality or county may be used for public safety. Effective immediately.