Sen. Jil Tracy

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning parole services.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Deletes language providing that an action may be commenced in any county if all defendants are nonresidents of the State, and replaces it with language providing that if no defendants that are joined in good faith and with probable cause for the purpose of obtaining a judgment against them are residents of the State, an action may be commenced only in the county in which the transaction or some part thereof occurred out of which the cause of action arose. Makes various changes in provisions defining the residence of certain corporations, voluntary unincorporated associations, and partnerships. Deletes language providing that actions against an insurance company incorporated under the laws of this State or doing business in this State may be brought in any county in which the plaintiff or one of the plaintiffs resides. Provides that if no defendants are residents of this State, and the transaction, or some part thereof, out of which the cause of action arose did not occur in this State, the action must be dismissed for lack of proper venue. Makes changes in relation to motions claiming improper venue. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act apply to actions filed on or after its effective date. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In the provision defining "eligible employment" for the purpose of allowing a teacher to return to teaching in subject shortage areas without impairing his or her retirement status or retirement annuity, changes the ending date of the employment from no later than June 30, 2013 to no later than June 30, 2018. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Contains a nonacceleration provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. In provisions defining "small business", increases the maximum annual sales for: a wholesale business from $10,000,000 to $13,000,000; a retail business or a business selling services from $6,000,000 to $8,000,000; and a construction business from $10,000,000 to $14,000,000.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the stalking and aggravated stalking statutes do not apply to an individual, organization, or employee of a governmental entity monitoring or attentive to compliance with public or worker safety laws, wage and hour requirements, or other statutory requirements when the monitoring or attentiveness occurs at the workplace or worksite.

Amends the Health Care Services Lien Act. Provides that notice must be provided, in the same manner as a notice of a judgment, award, settlement, or compromise would be provided, to a lien holder by an injured person or his or her authorized representative when a case is dismissed or a judgment is entered against the injured person.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that public highways, streets, and alleys shall be subject to taxation under the Illinois Drainage Code. Amends the Illinois Drainage Code. Provides that public highways, streets, and alleys shall be included in the commissioners' assessment roll of benefits, damages, and compensation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Fire Protection and Rescue Services Article of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act. Provides that the term "local public entity" includes, but is not limited to, a private person, organization, or corporation, including specialized operations teams for hazardous materials mitigation, underwater rescue and recovery, technical rescue, and incident management, that provides support to a fire department, fire protection district, or rescue squad district during an emergency when activated at the request of the fire chief of a fire department, fire protection district, or rescue squad district pursuant to a formal mutual aid system such as the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the members of the State Board of Education.

Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that upon petition by an adult child, the court may order the guardian to permit visitation between the ward and the adult child if the court finds that the visitation is in the ward's best interests. Provides that the court shall order the guardian to keep the adult children of the ward informed of hospitalizations of the ward, the death of the ward, and burial arrangements for the ward unless the court finds on its own motion or upon petition by the guardian that limiting such disclosure is in the best interests of the ward. Provides that if the issue of whether disclosure is in the best interests of the ward, the adult child has the right to a hearing upon the issue of whether to limit disclosure.