Amends the Illinois Drilling Operations Act. Provides that the Act also applies to coalbed methane (at present, oil and gas). Adds production of coalbed methane to the definition of "production operation". Provides that a drilling operator must give a surface owner 30 days written notice of the commencement of drilling and do so by certified mail (at present, 10 days) or by personal delivery (at present, 8 days). Provides for adequate compensation for damage to the surface owner and his or her tenant (at present, surface owner) for damage caused by the drilling operations and adds personal property to the list of compensable items. Provides that the operator shall pay the owner and his or her tenant for losses to agricultural income, land value, access, and improvements caused by drilling. Provides a crop valuation method. Provides that if the owner and operator do not agree on compensation, the owner may bring a legal action and if in the action the court awards a greater amount of compensation than the operator offered, the court shall award costs, interest on the compensation from the day drilling began, and attorney's fees for fair market value. Deletes the provision that provides that no attorney's fees can be recovered if the operator relies on a third party appraisal. Provides that electrical flow lines (at present, flow lines and other underground structures) must be buried below the surface. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the annual report of the Illinois Gaming Board.
Amends the Election Code. Provides that each agent designated by the Department of Natural Resources to issue hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses shall display voter registration forms and make voter registration forms available to the public. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to supply the State Board of Elections with a list of agents designated by the Department of Natural Resources to issue hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses. Effective January 1, 2008.
Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that State officers and employees prohibited from obtaining State contracts may not receive legal, banking, consulting, or other fees related to State government bond issuances. Prohibits waivers from the prohibition. Prohibits State contractors with contracts with an annual aggregate value of more than $25,000 from making political contributions to the executive branch constitutional officers responsible for awarding the contracts. Establishes penalties for violations. Requires that each State contract bid or offer in excess of $10,000 annual value must be accompanied by a disclosure of the bidder's or offeror's political contributions to the executive branch constitutional officer responsible for awarding the contract. Authorizes the State Comptroller to refuse payments under contracts for which those disclosures were not made. Makes other changes.
Opposes the imposition of the gross receipts tax in the State of Illinois.
Recognizes Senator Peterson on his years of service on behalf of the people of the State of Illinois.
Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Makes a technical change in a provision regarding equipment of a public utility company.
Amends the Governor's Office of Management and Budget Act. Requires GOMB to establish a single updated searchable database website accessible by the public at no cost that includes information concerning each entity that receives Illinois funding. Requires GOMB to report to the General Assembly concerning the website. Effective immediately.
Amends An Act concerning appropriations, Public Act 95-731, and An Act concerning appropriations Public Act 95-734. Eliminates certain appropriations to certain State agencies. Restores appropriations to the Historic Preservation Agency and the Department of Natural Resources that were reduced or vetoed by the Governor. Effective immediately.
Amends Public Act 95-348. Restores an appropriation from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for Project Reality.