Sen. Patrick Welch

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning administration of the Code.

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to Southern Illinois University for its FY04 ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires that unused State property leased by the Department of Central Management Services may not be leased at less than 60% of the fair market rental value rate unless specified conditions are met. Provides procedures for determining the fair market rental value. Makes a first violation a Class B misdemeanor. Makes a second or subsequent violation a Class A misdemeanor. Amends the State Property Control Act. Redefines the term "responsible officer" to exclude college presidents. When disposing of surplus real property, prohibits the Administrator from selling the property if any State agency requests its transfer. Makes changes in the procedures the Administrator must follow prior to disposal or division of the property. Provides that an appraisal is not required if the property is not being transferred to another State agency and the fair market value of the property is less that $15,000 (rather than $5,000). Makes a second or subsequent violation of the Act a Class A misdemeanor. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Securities Law of 1953. Authorizes the Secretary of State to appoint special agents and investigators to conduct investigations. Grants to those agents police power with respect to the enforcement of the Illinois Securities Law of 1953 and any other law administered by the Illinois Securities Department. Provides that registration under the Securities Law may be denied or revoked if the registrant has engaged in any unethical practice in connection with any security rather than the offer or sale of securities. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of assets obtained in violation of the Securities Law. Effective immediately.

Creates the Agriculture Producer Protection Act. Requires agriculture production contracts to contain certain disclosures, meet readability guidelines, and include a summary sheet. Provides that the Director of Agriculture may review an agriculture production contract for compliance with the contract form and content requirements of the Act. Provides that provisions stating that information contained within an agricultural contract is confidential shall not prevent a producer from discussing all contract terms and details with specified persons. Places restrictions on a contractor's unilateral termination of certain contracts. Provides that it is unlawful for any contractor to interfere with the exercise of certain rights granted under the Act and establishes other unfair practices under the Act. Provides that any provision requiring the application of the law of any state other than Illinois, requiring any action to be filed in a state other than Illinois, or waiving a right or obligation under the Act, is void. Provides that the Attorney General shall enforce the Act by actions in the circuit court for equitable and monetary relief, including injunctive relief and criminal and civil fines and penalties. Provides a private cause of action to any producer aggrieved by a violation of the Act and includes as remedies contract reformation and other equitable relief for the purpose of avoiding unjust enrichment. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt production contracts submitted for review to the Director of Agriculture under the Agriculture Producer Protection Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture must adopt rules implementing the Agriculture Producer Protection Act not later than January 1, 2004 and gives this and the effective date provision an immediate effective date. Provides that the remainder of the Act takes effect on January 1, 2004.

Amends the Counties Code. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning venue of actions by or against counties.

Amends the School Code. Provides that 11% (instead of 8%) of the Early Childhood Education Block Grant shall be used to fund programs for children ages 0-3. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Provides that, for purposes of the Act, the term "minor" means an individual under the age of 18 years rather than an individual under the age of 17 years.

Amends the School Code. Provides that in order to be eligible for election to a school board (or in Chicago to be eligible for appointment), a person must not be a child sex offender.

Amends the State Fire Marshal Act. Allows the Office of the State Fire Marshal to create an equipment exchange program under which fire departments and fire protection districts can donate equipment to the State Fire Marshal which the Marshal can re-certify as safe and distribute to other departments and districts. Limits the liability of fire departments and fire protection districts that donate equipment. Effective immediately.