Sen. William R. Haine

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning method of arrest.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates a new Article establishing the Insurance Consumer Advocate Law. Provides that the Governor shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, an Insurance Consumer Advocate to serve for a term of 4 years. Sets out the authorities of the Insurance Consumer Advocate. Provides that the Insurance Consumer Advocate may employ employees, including professional employees, that he or she finds necessary for the full and efficient discharge of the powers and duties of that office. Provides that the Insurance Consumer Advocate shall, prior to beginning the discharge of duties of that office, qualify for that office by taking and subscribing the constitutional oath of office. Provides that the Insurance Consumer Advocate shall give bond before entering upon the discharge of duties of that office. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Insurance Consumer Advocate shall have access to all files, records, and documents of the Department of Insurance except for certain situations. Effective immediately.

Creates the Life Settlements Act. Provides for the regulation of providers and brokers who enter into life settlement contracts with insureds. Provides license requirements and establishes grounds for the suspension, denial, nonrenewal, or revocation of a license. Sets forth certain requirements and guidelines for life settlement contracts. Requires that providers submit an annual statement to the Director of Insurance. Requires certain documents to be produced by licensees for examination by the Director and sets guidelines for examination by the Director. Provides standards for the advertisement of life settlement contracts by licensees. Requires certain disclosures to be made in connection with life settlement contracts. Sets forth prohibited practices and exceptions. Grants the Director the authority to adopt rules. Sets forth violations and penalties for violations. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to exempt from disclosure certain documents required under the Life Settlements Act. Provides that violations of the Act constitute unfair trade practices subject to penalty under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to include the violations. Repeals the Viatical Settlements Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2007, the Department of Human Services shall increase TANF grant amounts in effect on June 3, 2007 by 15%. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code and the Counties Code. Provides that it is a State's Attorney's duty to notify the State Superintendent of Education upon the conviction of any individual known to possess a certificate issued under the School Code of any of certain offenses or any other felony conviction. In the criminal history records check provisions of the School Code, makes changes concerning the offenses for which a school board may not knowingly employ a person. Provides that no one may be certified to teach or supervise in the public schools who has been convicted of certain offenses (instead of providing that in determining good character, any felony conviction of an applicant may be taken into consideration, but such a conviction shall not operate as a bar to registration). In provisions concerning suspension or revocation of a certificate, provides that the State Superintendent of Education has the exclusive authority to initiate the suspension of up to 5 calendar years or revocation of any certificate (instead of providing that a certificate may be suspended for a period not to exceed one calendar year by the regional superintendent of schools or for a period not to exceed 5 calendar years by the State Superintendent). With respect to certificate suspension and revocation, makes changes concerning an investigation, notice, a hearing, an appeal, and the offenses that are grounds for suspension and revocation. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning social security numbers on license applications.

Creates the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Act and amends various Acts. Implements and supersedes Executive Order 6 (2004). Abolishes the Department of Financial Institutions, the Department of Insurance, the Department of Professional Regulation, and the Office of Banks and Real Estate and transfers all of the functions of those agencies to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which is created. Provides that the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation is the head of the new agency, and provides for 4 Directors, each of whom shall report to the Secretary and shall oversee the functions transferred from one of the abolished agencies to the new agency. Transfers the staffs, records, and unexpended funds of the abolished agencies to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Makes conforming changes in other Acts. Authorizes transfers of moneys to the Professions Indirect Cost Fund from certain special funds that receive moneys from fees and fines associated with the licensing of regulated professions, trades, occupations, and industries by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Effective immediately.

Creates the Consumer Choice of Benefits Health Insurance Plan Act. Provides that insurers may offer policies of accident and health insurance that do not provide state-mandated health benefits. Requires applications and policies to contain notice that the policy may not cover some or all of the state-mandated health benefits. Requires insurers to provide a disclosure statement at the time the policy is issued that must be signed by the applicant or subscriber. Requires the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation to adopt rules necessary to implement the Act. Requires insurers to maintain a description of its rating practices and renewal underwriting practices. Provides for the applicability of certain Illinois Insurance Code provisions.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that the Department of Insurance shall not use a licensed insurance producer's social security number as the insurance producer's personal identification number. Effective January 1, 2009.

Designates the portion of Illinois Route 140/111 between Bethalto and Alton be renamed as the American Veterans Memorial Parkway in honor of the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces.