Sen. Todd Sieben

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of Thomson Correctional Center. Effective July 1, 2006.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that the provisions of any ordinance or resolution of a unit of local government that impose restrictions or limitations on the acquisition, possession, transportation, storage, purchase, sale, or other dealing in rifles and shotguns, and ammunition, components, accessories, and accoutrements of rifles and shotguns other than those imposed by the statute concerning the unlawful possession of firearms and firearm ammunition are void. Exempts municipalities of over 2,000,000 inhabitants. Preempts home rule. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Exempts the Underground Storage Tank Fund from the Act's administrative charge-back provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that if the receipt of a firearm does not violate federal or State law, the Department of State Police shall destroy all records of the dial up telephone system with respect to the call to the Department of State Police concerning whether a transferee of a firearm is eligible to acquire or possess a firearm, other than the identifying number and the date the number was assigned, and all records of the system relating to the person or the transfer within 7 days. Provides that if the transfer of a firearm is denied by the Department of State Police, the Department of State Police may keep the records of a denial until the denial is appealed and overturned, or as long as necessary for a criminal prosecution. Provides that the Department of State Police may not retain, copy, or distribute any information previously collected under the dial up system. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Beginning July 1, 2005, exempts prescription medicines for human use from taxation under the Acts. Exempts these tax exemptions from sunset requirements. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Extends to June 30, 2011 (from June 30, 2006) the period during which an annuitant receiving a retirement annuity other than a disability retirement annuity may accept employment as a teacher from a school board or other employer without impairing retirement status for 120 paid days or 600 paid hours in each school year (after June 20, 2011, will return to 100 paid days or 500 paid hours in any school year). Includes language exempting the change from the new benefit increase requirements. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that in addition to notice in the Illinois Procurement Bulletin, notice of the award of a contract with an annual value of $2,000,000 or more must be published once in a newspaper of a specified circulation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the money deposited in the Park and Conservation Fund from certificates of title shall be used for the acquisition and development of recreational paths or trails (instead of bike paths). Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district's school report card assessing the performance of its schools and students must also include the percentage of teachers whose performance received a rating of "excellent", the percentage of teachers whose performance received a rating of "satisfactory", and the percentage of teachers whose performance received a rating of "unsatisfactory" on their teacher evaluations. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that a unit of local government, including a home rule unit, may not regulate the transportation of firearms and may not regulate the transportation of ammunition, components, accessories, or accoutrements for firearms. Provides that the provisions of any ordinance or resolution adopted before, on, or after the effective date of this amendatory Act by any unit of local government that imposes restrictions or limitations on the transportation of firearms and ammunition, components, accessories, and accoutrements of firearms in a manner other than those that are imposed by this Act are invalid and all those existing ordinances and resolutions are void. Provides that this provision is a limitation of home rule powers under subsection (h) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution. Effective immediately.