Sen. Wm. Sam McCann

Amends the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision relating to purchasing service credit for certain military service, deletes the requirement of paying an additional amount representing the employer's normal cost of the benefit plus interest. Provides that this change does not entitle any person to a refund of contributions or interest already paid. Removes the change from the definition of "new benefit increase". Effective immediately.

Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Small Business Utility Advocate Act. Defines "small business" as any Illinois based business which meets the requirements under specified provisions of the Illinois Procurement Code (rather than the Illinois Small Business Purchasing Act).

Amends the Family Military Leave Act. Provides that when an employee exercises rights under the Act, the employee and employer may negotiate for all or part of the employee's benefits to be at the employer's expense, rather than negotiate for the employer to maintain those benefits at the employer's expense.

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, in Fiscal Year 2016, the General Assembly shall appropriate not less than $250,000 to the City of Springfield for the purpose of maintaining the fleet and essential infrastructure of the Springfield Fire Department. Provides that, in each State fiscal year thereafter, that amount shall be increased by the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers, as determined by the United States Department of Labor, during the previous 12-month period. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. In a provision concerning market regulation for competitive retail services, makes changes to the definition of "basic local exchange service". Provides that "basic local exchange service" means residential and business lines used for local exchange telecommunications service (rather than either a stand-alone residence network access line and per-call usage or, for any geographic area in which such stand-alone service is not offered, a stand-alone flat rate residence network access line for which local calls are not charged for frequency or duration). Retains within the definition that Extended Area Service shall be included in basic local exchange service. Provides that an Electing Provider shall restore basic local exchange service for the customer within 24 (rather than 30) hours after receiving notice that the customer is out of service. Provides that if an Electing Provider fails to repair an out-of-service condition for basic local exchange service within 24 (rather than 30) hours, the Electing Provider shall provide a credit to the customer. Provides that if the service disruption is for more than 24 (rather than 30) hours, but not more than 48 hours, the credit must be equal to a pro-rata portion of the monthly recurring charges for all basic local exchange services disrupted. Makes related changes to provisions requiring Electing Providers to make quarterly reports to the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that agreements with the Department of Transportation may include any number and combination of municipalities, counties, townships, or road districts.

Amends the Illinois Exotic Weed Act. Provides that The Director of Natural Resources shall, as needed, report to the Governor and the General Assembly on changes to be made to this Section, both to remove plants that the Director has determined by rule not to be exotic weeds, and to add exotic weeds to the list contained in this Section.

Amends the Neutral Site Custody Exchange Funding Act. Provides that records kept by not-for-profit organizations receiving a grant under the act shall be made available for inspection by personnel employed by the office of the Presiding or Chief Judge (currently, by the office of the Chief Judge). Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Assistance Fraud Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning the recovery of the monetary value of medical benefits improperly and erroneously received, provides that the records of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services regarding the improper payment of benefits are self-authenticating and presumed to be true and correct absent evidence to the contrary.