Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that relief from an order for a tax deed may be had under certain provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure concerning motions after judgment in nonjury cases. Provides that notice of the expiration of the period of redemption must be served upon certain owners and parties interested in the property in the manner set forth under certain provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure (now, personal service). Requires the court to enter orders to place the tax-deed grantee's successor in interest in possession of the property and authorizes the court to grant other relief to maintain the successor in interest in possession. Provides that the notice of the expiration of the period of redemption may not be served more than 6 months (now, 5 months) before the expiration of the period of redemption. Provides that the changes concerning post-judgment motions and the changes concerning the possession by the tax-deed grantee's successor in interest must be construed as being declarative of existing law and not as a new enactment.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that, in a class action, residual funds remaining in a common fund shall be distributed to one or more nonprofit charitable organizations that have a principal purpose of promoting or providing access to justice for low income residents, except that up to 50% of the residual funds may be distributed to one or more other nonprofit charitable organizations that the court approves as part of a settlement if the court finds there is good cause to do so. Provides that the new provisions shall not be construed to prevent a court, in a class action that does not create a common fund, from approving distributions to nonprofit charitable organizations that promote or provide access to justice for low income residents of the State of Illinois. Provides that the new provisions do not apply to any class action against a public entity or a public employee. Effective January 1, 2008.
Amends the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act. Provides that there shall be no more than 10 birth center alternative health care models in the demonstration program authorized under the Act. Sets forth requirements for the location of the centers and for services and standards of the centers. Requires the Department of Public Health to adopt rules for the operation and research protocols of birth centers. Makes other changes.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning notices or regulations requiring records, statements, and special reports.
Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that the exceptions to the physician-patient privilege against disclosure of information are expanded with a new class of exceptions (at present, there are 11 other exceptions) for information sought by subpoenas under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Illinois Dental Practice Act or the Nursing Home Administrators Licensing and Disciplinary Act. Provides that records of a health care facility shall be made available for examination or copying to the patient or the patient's legally authorized representative, his or her healthcare practitioner (at present, physician), authorized attorney, or any person, entity, or organization that presents a valid authorization for the release of records signed by the patient or the patient's legally authorized representative. Provides that a patient's records maintained by a health care practitioner shall be available to any person, entity, or organization presenting a valid authorization for the release of the records signed by the patient or the patient's legally authorized representative. Deletes reference in a Section concerning copying fees to a repealed Section.
Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall, upon application, erect and maintain roadside markers to identify the locations where persons were killed in accidents involving drunken drivers. Establishes requirements for the application for placement of the markers and for the markers themselves. Provides that, if the new provision conflicts with federal law, the markers shall not be erected or maintained. Provides that the Department shall prepare an evaluation of the program authorized by the new provision and shall report its findings to the General Assembly by January 1, 2008. Effective immediately.
Amends the Attorney Act. Provides that a person engaging in the unauthorized practice of law is subject to a court order that includes, but which is not limited to: equitable relief; a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000; actual damages; attorney's fees and costs attributable to the action in which the order was entered; punitive damages if the conduct was wilful, intentional, or done with a reckless disregard for the rights of others; and other relief necessary to remedy the person's wrongdoing (at present, the prohibited conduct is to be "punished accordingly"). Provides that the civil penalties collected shall be paid to the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation.
Amends the School Construction Law. Provides that the grant index may be increased by 0.05 for school construction projects that receive certification from the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, the Green Building Initiative's Green Globes Green Building Rating System, or green building standards approved by the Capital Development Board. Effective July 1, 2007.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.
Amends the State Appellate Defender Act. Provides that the State Appellate Defender may develop a Juvenile Defender Resource Center to: (i) study, design, develop, and implement model systems for the delivery of trial level defender services for juveniles in the justice system; (ii) in cases in which a sentence of incarceration or an adult sentence, or both, is an authorized disposition, provide trial counsel with legal advice and the assistance of expert witnesses and investigators from funds appropriated to the Office of the State Appellate Defender by the General Assembly specifically for that purpose; (iii) develop and provide training to public defenders on juvenile justice issues, utilizing resources including the State and local bar associations, the Illinois Public Defender Association, law schools, the Midwest Juvenile Defender Center, and pro bono efforts by law firms, and (iv) make an annual report to the General Assembly.