Sen. Don Harmon

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.

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

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the earned income tax credit.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act and the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that an animal control officer, a Department of Agriculture investigator, or a humane society investigator who has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a child is being abused or neglected or is in danger of being abused or neglected must immediately make a written or oral report to the Department of Children and Family Services. Requires Investigation Specialists, Intact Family Specialists, and Placement Specialists employed by the Department of Children and Family Services who reasonably believe that an animal observed by them when in their professional or official capacity is being abused or neglected must immediately make a written or oral report to Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare. Provides for immunity from liability for persons, institutions, and agencies participating in good faith in the reporting or investigation of animal abuse or neglect. Provides for confidentiality of the identity of persons reporting animal abuse or neglect. Provides that nothing in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act prohibits a mandated reporter who reasonably believes that an animal is being abused or neglected in violation of the Humane Care for Animals Act from reporting animal abuse or neglect to the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare. Preempts home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Appropriates $19,500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for an increase in health insurance assistance for nursing home workers. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning freestanding emergency centers.

Amends the O'Hare Modernization Act. Provides that the city of Chicago's obligation to reimburse school districts and community college districts for lost tax revenue resulting from the city's acquisition of parcels of property for the O'Hare Modernization Program ends with the 2011 (rather than 2009) taxable year and provides that no reimbursements are payable after January 1, 2012 (rather than 2010).

Amends the Cook County Forest Preserve District Act. Changes the definition of "Board". Provides that the commissioners of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County shall be elected in a countywide election (instead of the county board of commissioners serving as the board). Provides the election procedures and terms of office for commissioners. Specifies the procedure for selecting a president of the board. Provides that the president, with the advice and consent of the board of commissioners, may appoint officers. Specifies the procedure for filling a vacancy in the position of president and commissioner. Removes the president's veto power. Amends the Election Code. Provides that, at the consolidated election in the appropriate odd-numbered years, the offices of commissioner of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County shall be filled. Effective immediately.

Amends the IMRF Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, until January 31, 2011, an active participating employee who was enrolled in a reciprocal pension system prior to participation in IMRF may establish up to 24 additional months of retroactive service upon filing a written application for the excess retroactive service, approved by the employer's authorized agent, and payment by the employee of the actuarial present value of the additional service, based on those factors that the Board determines to be relevant. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.