Sen. Michael W. Frerichs

Amends the Election Code. With respect to the disclosure of campaign finances, redefines contributions and expenditures that must be reported to include those accepted or made in connection with the legal defense of a candidate for or holder of a State or local elective office. Defines legal defense as relating to various offenses against public officials, employees, and entities at any level of government, infamous crimes, and offenses reflecting upon the candidate's or official's character, honesty, integrity, and ability. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Property Tax Appeal Board for its FY 10 ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2009.

Mourns the death of Lester Pritchard of Urbana.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Changes the elements of the offenses of stalking and cyberstalking. Provides that a person commits stalking when he or she knowingly engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person, and he or she knows or should know that this course of conduct would cause a reasonable person to: (1) fear for his or her safety or the safety of a third person; or (2) suffer other emotional distress. Provides that if the conduct is committed using electronic communication, the offense is cyberstalking. Provides that a person also commits aggravated stalking when he or she, in conjunction with committing the offense of stalking, violates a stalking no contact order or a civil no contact order. Retains the same penalties for the offenses.

Amends the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004. Provides that a person holding the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, or its equivalent, from an accredited college of veterinary medicine, and who has applied in writing to the Department for a license to practice veterinary medicine and surgery in any of its branches, and who has fulfilled the qualification requirements of the Act, with the exception of receipt of notification of his or her examination results, may practice under the direct supervision of a veterinarian who is licensed in the State, until: (1) the applicant has been notified of the results of the examination authorized by the Department; or (2) the applicant has withdrawn his or her application (now, such person may receive, at the discretion of the Department, a temporary permit to practice under the direct supervision of a veterinarian who is licensed in the State). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a tax checkoff for the Crisis Nursery Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Fund. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that, from appropriations to the Department of Human Services, the Department shall make grants in equal amounts to the member organizations of the Crisis Nursery Coalition of Illinois. Effective immediately.

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

Amends the Election Code. Permits a person to request and vote an absentee ballot without specifying a reason for the absence from the polling place on election day. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the Authority is authorized to issue bonds or notes in an amount not to exceed $450,000 (now, $250,000). Provides that in any calendar year after 2007, the $450,000 amount shall be increased by an amount equal to such dollar amount multiplied by the inflation percentage determined under Section 305(c) of the federal Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1925) as of June 18, 2008. Provides that any increase must be rounded to the nearest multiple of $100. Effective immediately.