Sen. John M. Sullivan

Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Deletes the provisions concerning the payment of certain moneys that would otherwise be payable to purse accounts to wagering facilities if the total Illinois pari-mutuel handle on Illinois horse races at all wagering facilities in a calendar year is less than 75% of the total Illinois pari-mutuel handle on Illinois horse races at all such wagering facilities for calendar year 1994 (the recapture provisions). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, unless some other speed restriction has been established under the Code, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for any vehicle is 65 miles per hour. Deletes language providing that the Department of Transportation may not alter the speed limits on an access-controlled highway to exceed 55 miles per hour for vehicles of the second division weighing 8,001 pounds or more. Effective January 1, 2010.

Makes appropriations and reappropriations to the State Board of Elections for its ordinary and contingent expenses and various other activities. Effective July 1, 2010.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, as follows: General Funds $751,247,200; Other State Funds $4,567,600; Total $755,814,800.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes references to a neighborhood vehicle in the Illinois Vehicle Code. Creates a new Article in the Illinois Vehicle Code regulating low-speed vehicles and non-highway vehicles and consolidates a provision concerning the operation of low-speed vehicles on streets into a similar provision concerning the operation of non-highway vehicles on streets into one provision in the new Article. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to drive or operate a low-speed vehicle or non-highway vehicle upon any street in this State unless expressly authorized by a unit of local government. Provides that it is lawful for any person to drive or operate a low-speed vehicle upon any street that is located in the City of Chicago where the posted speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less unless the City of Chicago or the Illinois Department of Transportation prohibit the activity. Provides that any person engaged in the retail sale of low-speed vehicles are required to comply with the motor vehicle dealer licensing, registration, and bonding laws of this State. Provides that it is lawful for any person to drive or operate a non-highway vehicle or a recreational off-highway vehicle on a county or township roadway for the purpose of conducting farming operations to and from the home, farm, farm buildings, or any adjacent or nearby farm land. Effective immediately.

Makes appropriations to the State Comptroller to meet ordinary and contingent expenses for Fiscal Year 2010. Effective July 1, 2009.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Capital Development Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, as follows: Other State Funds $13,077,600.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Office of the State Fire Marshal for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010, as follows: Other State Funds $24,457,000; Federal Funds $1,787,000; Total $26,244,000.

Amends the Mississippi River Coordinating Council Act. Provides that the Mississippi River Coordinating Council shall include a standing subcommittee called the Mississippi River Parkway Subcommittee, which shall consist of 6 public members residing in counties in the State that are adjacent to the Mississippi River and ex-officio members from the State with specific knowledge of the Mississippi River. Provides that the chairperson of the Council shall appoint the Subcommittee members and that the Subcommittee members shall be non-voting members of the Council. Sets forth the duties of the Subcommittee. Effective January 1, 2011.

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Board of Higher Education for its FY 10 ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2009.