Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

Amends the Probation and Probation Officers Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2011, minimum qualifications of probation officers shall include at least 30 hours per year in training or continuing education, provided that such training or continuing education programs have been approved in advance by the Division of Probation Services. Provides that beginning January 1, 2014, such minimum qualifications shall include at least 40 hours per year in training or continuing education, provided that such training or continuing education programs have been approved in advance by the Division of Probation Services.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Repeals the provision concerning the pheasant fund. Makes corresponding changes. Amends the State Finance Act and makes corresponding changes. Effective January 1, 2012.

Congratulates Janet Hasz, Executive Director of the Supportive Housing Providers Association, on her retirement.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that when a person dies before an action is filed against him or her, a court may appoint a special representative for that decedent, against whom an action may be brought without opening an estate. Deletes a provision requiring notice to heirs or legatees as the court directs, and provides instead that the plaintiff must notify all known heirs or legatees of the decedent by U.S. mail. Provides that any interested person may be substituted as the special representative for good cause shown. Provides that proceeding under this provision shall not bar the estate from filing counterclaims. Deletes a provision limiting recovery to proceeds of any liability insurance available to the estate. Provides that these changes apply to actions commenced or pending on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the High Risk Home Loan Act. Provides that "high risk home loan" does not include a loan for reverse mortgage financing of residential real estate, including under programs regulated by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

Amends the High Risk Home Loan Act. Provides that the term "points and fees" does not include fees paid to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs required by law, fees paid to the Federal Housing Administration required by law, or fees paid to the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Loan Program required by law.

Amends the Local Government Energy Conservation Act, the School Code, and the Public University Energy Conservation Act. Provides that requests for proposals must be submitted to the administrators of all 4 volumes of the Illinois Procurement Bulletin for publication in each bulletin. Provides that contracts let or awarded must be submitted to the administrators of all 4 volumes of the Illinois Procurement Bulletin for publication in each bulletin. Makes changes concerning drafters of specifications submitting bids or proposals for installment contracts and other agreements proposed by a school district or public university. Effective immediately.

Amends the General Assembly Organization Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the deposit of books, bills, documents, and papers with the Secretary of State.

Creates the High-Speed Rail Authority Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county with a population of less than 1,000,000 may levy an annual tax for farmland preservation easement purposes. Provides that the tax may not exceed 0.05% of the equalized assessed value of taxable property in the county. Provides that the tax must be approved by referendum. Provides that the tax may be discontinued by referendum. Provides that a referendum to levy or discontinue a tax for county farmland preservation easement purposes may be initiated by a petition signed by a number of electors equal to at least 0.5% of the total number of votes cast in the county during the last preceding gubernatorial election. Provides that moneys in the county farmland preservation easement fund shall be used by the county for the purchase of easements to preserve farmland within the county.