Sen. Frank C. Watson

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that when the Department of State Police fails to act upon an application for a Firearm Owner's Identification Card within 30 days after receipt, or if the application was wrongfully denied, the applicant may seek relief from the circuit court in writing in the county of his or her residence. Provides that the applicant is entitled to recover any costs, attorney's fees, damages, and not less than $100 per day nor more than $500 per day for every day past the 30th day in which the Department failed to act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Dollars for Scholars Program Act and amends the State Finance Act. Establishes the Illinois Dollars for Scholars Program, to be administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, to encourage local communities to develop scholarship programs that assist their residents in obtaining a higher education. Requires the Commission to award a chapter $2,000 upon demonstration to the Commission that the chapter has raised $2,000 for scholarships or the creation of an endowment for scholarships. Limits the total number of chapters that may operate under the Act at any one time to 28. Sets forth the maximum number of chapters that may operate at any one time within certain cities and counties of the State. Sets forth procedures to be implemented by the Commission as they relate to the maximum numbers of chapters authorized to operate. Creates the Illinois Dollars for Scholars Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Repeals the Act on June 30, 2008. Effective immediately.

Honors Illinois State Senator Wendell Jones on his hard work and dedication to the people of the State of Illinois.

Proposes to amend the Judiciary Article of the Illinois Constitution. Prohibits a Supreme, Appellate, or Circuit Judge who fails to file a declaration of candidacy for retention from filing petitions as a candidate for the judicial vacancy created by that failure. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Authorizes the Agency to collect and solicit citizen complaints alleging a violation of the Act, any rule adopted under the Act, a permit granted by the Agency, or a condition of a permit via telephone, website, fax, mail, e-mail, or any other reasonable means. Provides that the Agency may not accept citizen complaints that are anonymous and unaccompanied by the name and mailing address of the complainant. Sets forth that the Agency must keep the name and address of the complainant confidential. Requires the Agency to verify that the complainant exists. Exempts the name and address of these complainants from public disclosure under provisions of the Act authorizing reasonable public inspection. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the owner of a vehicle or combination of vehicles of the second division, registered and used for transporting soil and conservation machinery and equipment, may elect to pay $125 to the Secretary of State for each registration year, in addition to the normal registration fee, to make the vehicle subject to the gross weight limitations applicable to a special hauling vehicle. Provides that, if the additional fee is paid, the Secretary shall designate the vehicle as a special hauling vehicle. Effective immediately.

Creates the Accountable Schools Task Force to review and evaluate the complex issues involving the fiscal and performance accountability of the State's school districts and individual schools.

Honors Illinois State Senator Adeline Geo-Karis for her hard work and dedication to the people of the State of Illinois.

Creates a Task Force to study special education funding. Directs the task force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2007. Provides that the task force shall be facilitated by the State Board of Education.

Amends the Election Code. Prohibits a Supreme, Appellate, or Circuit Judge who fails to file a declaration of candidacy for retention from filing petitions as a candidate for the judicial vacancy created by that failure.