Sen. Linda Holmes

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the creation of the Board.

Amends the Counties Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the compensation to be paid to the Public Defender.

Amends the Universal Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985 in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that wireless carriers shall prorate early termination fees over the term of a wireless consumer's contract. Effective immediately.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Makes it unlawful to tether a dog outdoors unless certain requirements are met. Provides penalties for violations. Defines "tether".

Amends the School Breakfast and Lunch Program Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning applications.

Amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Removes language concerning the obligation of certain owners licensees to make payments into the Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund (the impact fee). Provides that any payments made pursuant to Public Act 94-804 or Section 10 of Public Act 95-1008 (both of which imposed an impact fee) that are currently held pursuant to specified provisions of the State Officers and Employees Money Disposition Act or that have not yet been distributed in accordance with the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 shall be returned to their payors on the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that aggravated battery that causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement is a Class X felony when the aggravated battery was intentional and involved the infliction of torture as the infliction of or subjection to extreme physical pain, motivated by an intent to increase or prolong the pain, suffering, or agony of the victim. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for child care institutions, group homes, facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled facilities, or facilities licensed by the Department of Human Services under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act, in any calendar year in which there is a cost-of-living increase in federal Supplemental Security Income benefits or Social Security Administration payments, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (and the Department of Children and Family Services, in the case of child care institutions and group homes) shall increase the Medicaid per diem rate paid to those facilities by an amount equal to the total amount of the increase in Supplemental Security Income benefits or Social Security Administration payments. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to make participation loans to small businesses that are at least 51% owned and managed by one or more persons who are veterans for the purposes of promoting the creation of veteran-owned small businesses and promoting the creation of jobs within small businesses. Provides that a loan may not exceed $100,000 or 50% of the business project costs. Provides that a loan may be made only if, in the Department's judgment, the number of jobs to be created is reasonable in relation to the loan funds requested. Provides that a loan must be protected by security. 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.