Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department shall establish and administer a program to make grants to municipalities whose buildings conform with the United States Green Building Council's Leadership on Energy and Design (LEED) rating system.
Amends the Veterans Preference Act. Increases the fine for a violation of the Act to a minimum of $75 (instead of $25) and a maximum of $300 (instead of $100). Effective immediately.
Creates the Agency Energy Efficiency Act. Provides that all executive branch State agencies shall strive to reduce energy use in State facilities by 10% within 10 years after the effective date of this Act. Provides that State agencies shall work with the Department of Central Management Services in achieving the goal. Sets out duties of the Department. Provides that all requests for new construction or renovation to State facilities shall implement design criteria that exceeds contemporary standards for energy efficiency. Sets out duties of all executive branch State agencies under the Act. Provides that if the Department finds that implementation costs of the Act exceed energy savings, the Department shall request approval from the General Assembly to terminate implementation of the provisions under the Act.
Amends the Illinois Youthbuild Act. Provides that the Secretary of Human Services shall, subject to appropriation, make grants to applicants for the purpose of carrying out Youthbuild programs (now, the Secretary is authorized to make grants). Provides that youths in foster care, youth offenders, youths with disabilities, children of incarcerated parents, and migrant youth are eligible to participate in Youthbuild programs. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the State Finance Act. Creates the Rotary Club Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides for the issuance of Rotary Club license plates. Provides that in addition to the appropriate registration fees, an applicant for the special plate shall be charged a fee of $25 at original issuance and for each renewal. Provides that $10 of the additional original issuance fee and $23 of the renewal fee shall be deposited into the Rotary Club Fund. Provides that $15 of the original issuance fee and $2 of the renewal fee shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and approval by the Secretary of State, the moneys in the Rotary Club Fund shall be paid as grants for charitable purposes sponsored by the Rotary Club.
Creates the Illinois Cool Cities Act. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency shall provide technical assistance, if needed, to units of local government in the State that have endorsed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Provides that any unit of local government may request designation as an Illinois Cool City if the unit of local government has (i) endorsed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and (ii) prepared and approved a plan to achieve a 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by the year 2012. Provides for designation of Illinois Cool Cities upon certain findings by the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency. Effective immediately.
Creates the Teacher Homebuyer Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority to establish and administer a program to provide down payment assistance to public school teachers who teach in hard-to-staff schools or hard-to-staff positions for purchasing residences within the school district. Provides that the assistance shall be in the form of a deferred payment, low-interest subordinate mortgage loan with a term not longer than the term of the first mortgage loan, with interest accruing at a rate of up to 5% per annum. Provides that if the borrower has continuously been a teacher for the 5-year period immediately following the date of recordation of the loan deed of trust, then repayment of the loan shall be forgiven and considered a grant. Provides that repayment of the principal and accrued interest is due and payable upon the occurrence of certain events. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Environmental Protection Act. Sets forth standards for the Environmental Protection Agency's review of remediation costs with respect to the River Edge Redevelopment Zone site remediation tax credit. Requires the Agency to issue a notice when the Agency seals any equipment, vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or other facility that is contributing to an emergency condition that creates an immediate danger to health. Effective immediately.
Amends the Missing Children Records Act. Provides that a particular public or private preschool educational program, public or private child care facility, or day care home or group day care home in which a child is enrolled for the first time shall notify in writing the person enrolling the child that within 30 days he must provide either (i) a certified copy of the child's birth certificate or (ii) other reliable proof, as determined by the Department of State Police, of the child's identity and age and an affidavit explaining the inability to produce a copy of the birth certificate. Provides that a preschool educational program, child care facility, or day care home or group day care home must take other actions in relation to children's records.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that aggravated assault committed by the discharge of a firearm from a motor vehicle is a Class 3 (rather than a Class 4) felony. Effective immediately.
