Sen. Don Harmon

Amends the Use Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the School Construction Law. In provisions concerning early childhood construction grants, provides that a public school district or other eligible entity must provide local matching funds in an amount equal to 10% of the grant (rather than the amount of the grant). Provides that the Capital Development Board may adopt rules that include requirements that new or improved facilities be used for early childhood and other related programs for a period of at least 10 years. Effective July 1, 2010.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that all third-party sales representatives engaged in the marketing of retail electricity supply, including exclusive and non-exclusive agents, must, prior to the customer signing a contract, disclose in writing that they are not employed by the electric utility operating in the applicable service territory and, if applicable, that they are compensated in whole or part on a commission basis. Provides that for telephonic solicitations, the disclosure may initially be made verbally prior to the customer signing a contract, with a follow-up written disclosure required prior to any customer contract being finalized. Includes the Illinois Power Agency and its employees from being exempt as being licensed agents, brokers, and consultants engaged in the procurement or sale of retail electricity supply for third parties and changes the requirements of parties already subject to licensure. Provides that any person or entity required to be licensed under specified provisions must, among other requirements, disclose in plain language in writing to all customers, prior to the customer signing a contract, the total anticipated remuneration to be paid to it by any third party over the period of the proposed underlying customer contract. Removes provisions requiring agents, brokers, and consultants to file copies of their verified financial statements with the Commission on an annual basis. Makes changes concerning disciplinary actions against agents, brokers, and consultants. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Designates the first full week of each January as Emancipation Proclamation Week to honor and remember the work of Abraham Lincoln and others in emancipating Americans from slavery and in leading to the end of slavery in America.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that each taxing district's debt service extension base shall be increased each year beginning with the later of (i) the 2009 levy year or (ii) the first levy year in which the Law becomes applicable to the taxing district, by the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month calendar year preceding the levy year. Provides that, if a taxing district's debt service extension base is established or increased by a referendum held after February 2, 2010, the debt service extension base shall be increased if certain authorizing language is included in the referendum. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that if a municipality with a population of less than 1,000,000 has never awarded a franchise to a private entity for the collection of waste from non-residential locations, then the municipality may not award a franchise without issuing a request for proposal. Specifies the requirements for issuing a request for proposal and awarding a franchise. Provides that the franchise fee may not exceed $25,000. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Local Government Energy Conservation Act, the School Code, and the Public University Energy Conservation Act. Provides that requests for proposals must be submitted to the administrators of the Capital Development Board Procurement Bulletin for publication. Provides that contracts let or awarded must be submitted to the administrators of the Capital Development Board Procurement Bulletin for publication. Makes changes concerning drafters of specifications submitting bids or proposals for installment contracts and other agreements proposed by a unit of local government, school district, vocational center, or public university. Provides that any consultant, architect, engineer, or other drafter of specifications who assists a unit of local government, school district, or vocational center in the preparation of specifications shall not submit a bid or proposal to meet the procurement need unless the body authorizing the contract or agreement determines in writing that there will be no substantial conflict of interest. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Provides that the information packet given to a relinquishing parent in accordance with the Act shall not exceed 5 pages and shall include, in addition to other required information, a one-page brochure (self-mailer) that describes the Safe Haven Law; a one-page brochure (self-mailer) that describes the Illinois Adoption Registry; and a one-page brochure describing health information for the mother and how she can get medical care if she needs it. Requires the information packet to be designed in coordination between the Office of Vital Records and the Department of Children and Family Services. Requires the Office of Vital Records to continue to maintain and distribute the information packet, and to hold on file all foundling records of relinquished newborns. Effective immediately.

Creates the Commission to End Hunger Act. Provides that because it is the goal of the State that no man, woman, or child should ever be faced with hunger, the General Assembly authorizes the Department of Human Services to create the Commission to End Hunger. Provides that the purpose of the Commission shall be to develop an action plan every 2 years, review the progress of this plan, and ensure cross-collaboration among government entities and community partners toward the goal of ending hunger in Illinois. Further provides that the key duties of the Commission shall include identifying all funding sources which can be used toward ending hunger; identifying barriers to access, and developing sustainable polices and programs to address those barriers; and promoting and facilitating public-private partnerships. Provides that the Commission shall be composed of no more than 21 voting members, including 15 public members representing various community and public service organizations, who shall be appointed by the Governor and shall reflect the racial, gender, and geographic diversity of the State. Provides that the Secretary of Human Services, the State Superintendent of Education, the Director of Healthcare and Family Services, the Director of Children and Family Services, the Director of Aging, and the Director of Agriculture shall serve as ex-officio members of the Commission, and that subject to appropriation, the Office of the Governor and the Department of Human Services shall provide administrative support. Contains provisions on commission meetings and reporting requirements. Effective immediately.

Amends the Swimming Facility Act. Changes the statement of purpose and changes and adds definitions. Changes and adds provisions regarding: licensing of a swimming facility; swimming facility contractor licenses; swimming facility designer certification; permits for construction, development, installation, or major alteration of swimming facilities; license renewal; fees; rules; violations; civil and criminal penalties; hearings and determinations; facility closure; applicability; and other matters. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.