Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the organization of unit school districts.
Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Deletes language providing that the Department may not expend funds for the acquisition of railroad rolling stock and may not become the owner of railroad locomotives or other rolling stock. Provides that, in providing intercity railroad passenger service, the Department may enter into a lease or contract with a term of not more than 50 (rather than 7) years for use, maintenance, servicing, and repair of locomotives, rolling stock, stations, and other facilities. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Re-enacts the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption. The exemption was created by Public Act 88-669, which has been held to be unconstitutional as a violation of the single subject clause of the Illinois Constitution. Includes validation provisions. Increases the maximum reduction for the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption from $3,000 to $3,500 for taxable years 2006 and thereafter. Increases the maximum income limitation in the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption from $45,000 to $50,000 for taxable years 2006 and thereafter. Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Increases the maximum income limitation under the Act from $40,000 to $45,000 for taxable years 2006 and thereafter. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Mourns the death of Herman Spertus of Chicago.
Amends the General Obligation Bond Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Toll Highway Authority has the power to enter into an intergovernmental agreement or contract with a unit of local government or other public or private entity for the collection by electronic means of tolls, fees, or revenues. Requires the Governor to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, an Inspector General for the Authority, setting forth his or her powers and duties. Places certain restrictions on directors of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and their employees and agents concerning receiving financial benefit from their positions or employment with the Authority. Makes changes concerning enforcement of tolls. Provides that the Office of the Inspector General shall be represented in all legal matters by the Attorney General. Provides that the Authority may spend toll highway funds only for specified purposes. Provides that the Authority must hold and publicize an annual public hearing on its annual budget. Requires the Authority to establish an amnesty program for toll violations. Establishes procedures for, and limitations on, the amnesty. Sets procedures for administrative adjudication of violations recorded by photo surveillance. Provides that toll evasion offenses adjudicated in the Authority's administration system are not subject to the fine range for petty offenses. Provides that it is a violation of the Act to operate on a toll highway a vehicle with a license plate covered with any material that obstructs the electronic image recording of the plate. Provides that a law enforcement officer may confiscate a license plate if the plate was treated with a substance to block electronic image recording. Deletes language providing that any person may file an action against the Authority for civil damages for any personal injury or property damage caused by agents or employees of the Authority. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Tobacco Products Manufacturers' Escrow Enforcement Act of 2003. Deletes provisions concerning the Director of Revenue's powers and duties in relation to the registration of agents by non-participating manufacturers. In a provision concerning the reporting of information, authorizes the Attorney General to disclose information to the Director of Revenue (now, the Director is authorized to disclose information to the Attorney General). Upon a distributor's violation of certain provisions of the Act, authorizes the Director of Revenue to revoke or suspend the license of the distributor (now, the license of a stamping agent) and authorizes the Attorney General to seek injunctive relief against a distributor (now, a stamping agent). Provides that the administrative decisions of the Attorney General concerning inclusions on the directory of certified manufacturers and brand families are subject to administrative review under the Administrative Review Law (now, subject to review in a manner prescribed by rule). Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act. Provides that a home rule unit of local government or any municipality in this State may regulate smoking in public places. Provides that this regulation must be no less restrictive than the regulation in the Act. Changes the home rule limitation from an absolute preemption to a limitation on the concurrent exercise of home rule power. Maintains the exemption from home rule requirements for home rule units that passed ordinances regulating smoking before October 1, 1989. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers.
Amends the Public Officer Simultaneous Tenure Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the purpose of the Act.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Creates the Violent Video Games Law. Provides that a person who sells, rents, or permits to be sold or rented, any violent video game to any minor, commits a Class A misdemeanor for which a fine of $5,000 may be imposed. Provides that a family member's purchase of a violent video game for another family member who is a minor does not constitute a violation of this provision. Establishes labeling requirements for violent video games. Creates the Sexually Explicit Video Games Law. Provides that a person who sells, rents, or permits to be sold or rented, any sexually explicit video game to any minor, commits a Class A misdemeanor for which a fine of $5,000 may be imposed. Provides that a family member's purchase of a sexually explicit video game for another family member who is a minor does not constitute a violation of this provision. Establishes labeling requirements for sexually explicit video games. Provides that these laws are severable. Effective January 1, 2006.
