Sen. Daniel Biss

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Includes in the definition of "energy conservation project" an Energy Efficiency Project in connection with any school district or community college district project. Provides that the Illinois Finance Authority may (rather than shall) assist the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish and implement a program to assist units of local government to identify and arrange financing for energy conservation projects. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Sets forth provisions concerning health care cooperatives. Provides that in addition to all other provisions of the Article concerning domestic mutual companies, a company seeking to organize as a health care cooperative shall meet certain requirements. Sets forth provisions concerning the naming of and applications for entities seeking to organize as health care cooperatives. Amends the Co-operative Act. Exempts domestic mutual insurance companies licensed as health care cooperatives by the Director of Insurance from the prohibition against using the term "Co-operative" as part of a corporate or other business name or title without complying with the provisions of the Co-operative Act. Sets forth provisions concerning health benefit purchasing cooperatives. Provides that the purpose of a health benefit purchasing cooperative is to provide health care benefits for certain eligible individuals under a single group health care policy or plan through a contract between the health benefit purchasing cooperative and an insurer authorized to do health insurance business in the State. Sets forth provisions concerning the design, the articles, the membership basis and capital stock, the membership criteria, the health care benefits, and the annual progress report of health benefit purchasing cooperatives. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that no county or municipality may prohibit a charitable organization from soliciting for charitable purposes, including solicitations taking place on public roadways from passing motorists, if certain requirements are met. Sets forth requirements regarding the groups involved, applications and liability insurance. Defines "local agency" to mean a municipality, county, special district, fire district, joint powers of authority, or other political subdivision of the State of Illinois. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Resolves that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall convene a task force to deliberate options for the adoption of new rules for the Monetary Award Program, with the goal of improving the outcomes for students who receive these awards.

Congratulates Jordan Cotler and Adam Kalinich for their success in the Intel Science Talent Search.

Proposes to amend the Executive Article of the Illinois Constitution. Eliminates the Offices of the Comptroller and Treasurer. Provides instead for a single Comptroller of the Treasury. Provides that the Comptroller of the Treasury shall (i) maintain the State's central fiscal accounts and order payments into and out of the funds held by him or her, (ii) be responsible for the safekeeping and investment of monies and securities deposited with him or her, and for their disbursement upon his or her order, and (iii) have the duties and powers that may be prescribed by law. No Comptroller or Treasurer shall be elected in 2014 and thereafter. Effective otherwise upon conclusion of the terms of the Comptroller and the Treasurer elected in 2010.

Proposes to amend the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Constitution concerning pension and retirement rights. Makes a technical change only. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Proposes to amend The Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Limits a person's total service in the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, Minority Leader of the House, or Minority Leader of the Senate to a total of 10 years. Effective upon being declared adopted and applies to service on or after the second Wednesday in January, 2014.

Urges Congressional support for the establishment of a permanent National Women's History Museum in Washington, D.C.

Pledges support for Argonne National Laboratory and its bid to be the home of the Energy Storage Hub and encourages the United States Department of Energy to consider Argonne for the location of the Hub.