Sen. Chapin Rose

Amends the Counties Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice shall each suspend all commissary accounts of committed persons under their custody for a period of 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act.

Amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act. Provides that in any case where a defendant has been convicted of a violent crime or a juvenile has been adjudicated a delinquent for a violent crime and a victim of the violent crime or the victim's spouse, guardian, parent, grandparent, or other immediate family or household member is present in the courtroom at the time of the sentencing or the disposition hearing, the victim or his or her representative shall have the right and the victim's spouse, guardian, parent, grandparent, and other immediate family or household member upon his, her, or their request shall (rather than may) be permitted by the court to address the court regarding the impact that the defendant's criminal conduct or the juvenile's delinquent conduct has had upon them and the victim.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Prohibits the governing board of each public university from participating in the creation of any university-related organization (defined as a foundation, athletic association, alumni association, or corporate outgrowth), unless there is a written contract between the board and the university-related organization setting forth the terms and conditions of the agreement. Provides that the contract must require the university-related organization to consent to enter into a written agreement with the Auditor General providing for an audit of the university-related organization at least once every 2 years by the Auditor General. Provides that any contracts between the board and university-related organizations existing on the effective date of the amendatory Act must be amended as soon as possible to require the university-related organization's consent to an audit by the Auditor General as a condition of the university's continued affiliation with the university-related organization.

Requests that the alumni association of each public university in this State meet and develop a public and transparent plan to vet and forward potential trustee candidates to the Governor any time there is an opening on the board of trustees.

Amends the Downstate Police and Chicago Police Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. In provisions concerning recovery from disability, provides that the police officer shall report to the chief of the department, who shall thereupon order immediate reinstatement into active service, and the municipality shall immediately return the police officer to its payroll, in the same rank or grade held at the date he or she was placed on disability pension. Provides that, if the police officer must file a civil action against the municipality to enforce his or her mandated return to payroll, then the police officer is entitled to recovery of reasonable court costs and attorney's fees. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Property Control Act, the University of Illinois Act, the Southern Illinois University Management Act, the Chicago State University Law, the Eastern Illinois University Law, the Governors State University Law, the Illinois State University Law, the Northeastern Illinois University Law, the Northern Illinois University Law, and the Western Illinois University Law. Allows the trustees of the universities to purchase and convey real property and easements without compliance with the State Property Control Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that vehicles operated by a voluntary firefighter may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell (rather than only allowing authorized emergency or organ transplant vehicles to use a siren, whistle, or bell).

Creates the Task Force on Electronic Access to Circuit Court Records. Provides that the Task Force shall study laws and procedures relating to electronic access by the public to circuit court records and the exemptions from such disclosure and shall submit a report to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2009.