Sen. Don Harmon

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning special education joint agreements.

Amends the Election Code. Includes certain tax-exempt organizations under the federal Internal Revenue Code in the definitions of "political action committee", "ballot initiative committee", and "independent expenditure committee". Allows the tax-exempt organizations to establish a separate political committee whose function is to receive or make contributions or make expenditures, or any combination thereof, to support or oppose candidates or questions of public policy. Sets forth certain requirements for these separate committees. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning rates.

Amends the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act. Provides that the Endangered Species Protection Board shall without regard to the Personnel Code, employ and fix the compensation of necessary staff. Provides that the Board shall employ an executive director to oversee operations of the Board. Provides that the Board is solely responsible for hiring, firing, and management of the executive director. Effective immediately.

Creates the Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall establish and maintain on its official website a searchable public database that includes specified information about property seized and forfeited under State law and under any agreement with the federal government. Provides that every law enforcement agency that seizes property subject to reporting under the Act shall report the specified information required under the Act on a monthly basis. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority may recoup its costs under the Act by charging a fee to law enforcement agencies required to file a report. Provides that the Act applies to provisions of law that authorizes a law enforcement agency to seize property alleged to have been used in or derived from the commission of a criminal offense. Creates the Asset Forfeiture Proceeds Disbursement Law. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall award grants under the procedures of the Act for the disbursement of monies collected in the Asset Forfeiture Proceeds Fund. Amends various Acts concerning criminal forfeiture to make conforming changes. Changes most forfeiture distributions from law enforcement agencies to the Asset Forfeiture Proceeds Fund. Makes changes to the procedures and distribution of contraband proceeds to various governmental units and agencies.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning tax objections based on budget or appropriation ordinances, provides that no objection to any property tax levied by any municipality or county (rather than by any municipality) shall be sustained by any court under certain conditions. Removes forest preserve districts having a population of 3,000,000 or more from the definition of "municipality" in those provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987. Provides requirements for the rules that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall adopt concerning educational requirements for advanced optometric procedures. Defines "surgery" and "advanced optometric procedures". Provides that an optometrist may not perform advanced optometric procedures on a patient under 18 years of age.

Amends the Illinois Forestry Development Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.