Sen. Ira I. Silverstein

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Makes appropriations and reappropriations to Northeastern Illinois University for various purposes, including ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Adds a caption to a Section concerning lists of available records.

Amends the Election Code. Abolishes local canvassing boards. Provides that canvasses must be done by election authorities within 48 hours after election. Requires election authorities to transmit, by fax, e-mail, or other electronic means, a preliminary statement of the results of the election to the State Board of Elections. Provides that the State Board of Elections must conduct a preliminary canvass within 72 hours after the election. Provides that if a canvass shows that a candidate has a margin of victory of, or a referendum was approved by, less than 1% of the votes cast, a recount must be conducted as quickly as possible after the close of the election. Sets requirements for the recount. Requires the State Board of Elections to adopt uniform standards for the counting of ballots by hand, including what indications of voter intent are to be counted and recorded. Provides that any candidate may request a discovery recount (now, any candidate who, in the entire area in which votes may be cast for the office for which he or she is a candidate, received votes equal in number to at least 95% of the votes cast for any successful candidate for the same office may request a discovery recount). Increases the fee for a discovery recount from $10 per precinct to $25 per precinct. Deletes provisions concerning a contest involving the selection of nominees for the office of State representative. Provides that a meeting of the electoral board may not be held more than 6 days (now, 5 days) after the board's receipt of the nomination papers and the objector's petition. Requires the State Board of Elections to conduct a final canvass within 10 days (now, 20 days) after an election. Makes other changes. Amends the Revised Cities and Villages Act of 1941. Provides that recounts for the office of alderman in the City of Chicago must be filed and conducted in accordance with the Election Code (instead of within 5 days after the election).

Amends the Uniform Partnership Act (1997) and the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act. Establishes procedures for the correction of errors made by limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships; for the administrative dissolution of a limited partnership and the administrative cancellation of the application for admission of a foreign limited partnership; and for the reinstatement of a delinquent entity following its dissolution or cancellation. Specifies the types of activities that would not constitute transacting business in Illinois, for the purpose of registration by foreign limited liability partnerships. Clarifies that the Section providing for the reinstatement of a delinquent limited partnership does not apply to a limited partnership that has been either administratively dissolved or cancelled. Provides for a $50 fee for the filing of a certificate of cancellation of limited partnership. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Long Term Care Facility Residents Reporting Act. Provides that if the Inspector General appointed under the Act determines that a possible criminal act has been committed or that special expertise is needed in an investigation, he or she may notify the appropriate law enforcement agency (as an alternative to the Department of State Police). Requires the Department of State Police to investigate a report from a State-operated facility indicating a possible murder, rape, or other felony (instead of a report from anywhere indicating such a possible offense). Authorizes the Department of Human Services to refer reports indicating possible criminal acts to the appropriate law enforcement agency (as an alternative to the Department of State Police) for investigation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Meat and Poultry Inspection Act. Makes a technical change to the Section on medical certificates.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning retail sales on Sundays.

Amends the Attorney General Act. Makes a technical change in the Section concerning the short title of the Act.

Amends the State Gift Ban Act by making a technical change to the gift ban Section.