Sen. Ira I. Silverstein

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall revoke the license or visiting permit of any person issued under this Act to practice medicine or to treat human ailments without the use of drugs and without operative surgery, who has been convicted of committing (1) any felony under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act or the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, (2) a Class 1 felony under Sections 8A-3 and 8A-6 of the Illinois Public Aid Code, or (3) a sexual assault or other battery against his or her patient. Provides that the Department shall investigate any licensee upon notification from any law enforcement agency of a criminal complaint setting forth facts which, if proven, would constitute grounds for suspension or revocation under the Act. Provides that any law enforcement agency in the State must provide immediate notification to the Department when it receives a criminal complaint against a licensee under this Act that alleges sexual assault or other battery on a patient. Effective immediately.

Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Beginning in tax year 2012, increases the taxpayer's income limit from $50,000 to $55,000. Provides that "qualified property" must not be held in trust, other than an Illinois land trust with the taxpayer identified as the sole beneficiary, if the taxpayer is filing for the program for the first time effective as of the January 1, 2011 assessment year or tax year 2012 and thereafter. Effective as of the January 1, 2011 assessment year or tax year 2012 and thereafter, provides that the total amount of any deferral shall not exceed $5,000 per taxpayer in each tax year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Smoke Detector Act. Provides that the meaning of "dwelling unit" shall include each living unit in a hotel. Effective January 1, 2012.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code in the provisions concerning autism spectrum disorders, habilitative services for children, and mental and emotional disorders to provide that certain coverage provided under those respective provisions through a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan shall be subject to the parity requirements of the provision concerning mental health parity. Sets forth a provision concerning mental health parity. Provides that every insurer that amends, delivers, issues, or renews a group policy of accident and health insurance in the State providing coverage for hospital or medical treatment and for the treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions shall ensure adherence to the provisions concerning financial requirements and treatment limitations. Sets forth provisions concerning aggregate lifetime and annual limits. Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act to comport with the provision of the Illinois Insurance Code concerning mental health parity. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 relating to the offense of disorderly conduct at a funeral or memorial service. Increases the time period for which the conduct at the funeral or memorial service is prohibited before and after the service from 30 minutes to 60 minutes and increases the distance from which the conduct is prohibited from 200 feet to 1,000 feet of any ingress or egress of the funeral site. Effective immediately.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. With respect to the Board's analysis of formulating the annual budget request for State universities and colleges, provides that, beginning with Fiscal Year 2013, the annual budget request must incorporate performance-based funding, pursuant to the report of the Board's Higher Education Finance Study Commission. Provides that the Board shall have 2 fiscal years to implement this performance-based funding, and thereafter must update how this funding is calculated every 6 months, which updates must be reported to the Governor and the General Assembly. Effective immediately.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that any person who offers a rebate to consumers at retail on any merchandise must conspicuously display and clearly disclose to the consumer the type of rebate being offered, whether additional fees may apply on the rebate offered, and the form of remittance that will be provided to the consumer. Provides that a person who violates those provisions commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 and the Harassing and Obscene Communications Act. Provides that "electronic communication" includes transmissions through an electronic device including, but not limited to, a telephone, cellular phone, computer, or pager, which communication includes, but is not limited to, e-mail, instant message, text message, or voice mail (rather than transmissions by a computer through the Internet to another computer). Effective immediately.

Creates the Small Business Contracts Act. Provides that not less than 10% of the total dollar amount of State contracts shall be established as a goal to be awarded to small businesses. Provides for compliance plans and annual reports to help monitor the implementation of the 10% goal. Effective immediately.