Sen. Dave Koehler

Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Sets forth definitions for "cottage food operation" and "non-potentially hazardous food". Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law, neither the Department of Public Health nor the Department of Agriculture nor the health department of a unit of local government may regulate the service of food by a cottage food operation providing that certain conditions are met. Amends the Sanitary Food Preparation Act to make a corresponding change.

Amends the Voluntary Payroll Deductions Act of 1983. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the research and development credit applies for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2004, and ending prior to January 1, 2016 (now, January 1, 2011). Provides that the credit may not be carried forward to any taxable year ending on or after January 1, 2016. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes it a Class 2 felony for a person to commit theft by threat and, as a result, to obtain money or property valued at $5,000 or more from a victim who is 60 years of age or older.

Amends the Public Building Commission Act. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that customers may apply to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to be designated as a self-directing customer or exempt customer using natural gas as a feedstock from which other products are made on or before the 1st day of December, 2012 (instead of the 1st day of February, 2010). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Prohibits the Department of Healthcare and Family Services from requiring a practitioner-owned group practice, partnership, or corporation to have a set number of licensed practitioner-owners who are eligible to provide medical services under the Code in order for the practitioner-owned group practice, partnership, or corporation to qualify as an alternate payee under the State's medical assistance program. Provides that the Department shall not prohibit a corporate entity that employs health care providers from participating as an alternate payee under the State's medical assistance program if the corporation is organized for the purpose of providing medical or other health care services. Effective immediately.

Designates the West Main Street Overpass in the City of Galesburg as the "Donald L. Moffitt Overpass" in honor of our friend and colleague, Illinois State Representative Donald Moffitt.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, until December 31, 2015 (now, 2011), in elections at which fractional cumulative votes are cast and a Direct Recording Electronic Voting System is used, the tabulation of those votes may be made by the election authority at its central office location, and 4 copies of a "Certificate of Results" shall be printed by the automatic tabulation equipment and shall be posted in 4 conspicuous places at the central office location. Effective July 1, 2012.