Amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Provides that no person may operate, use, or store (currently, operate) or give permission for the operation, usage, or storage (currently, operation) of any such watercraft on such waters unless it has on board while in operation a valid certificate of number issued under the Act, federal law, or another federally-approved numbering system of another state unless the pocket-sized certificate of number is in full force and effect or the operator is in possession of a valid 60 day temporary permit under the Act; and the identifying number set forth in the certificate of number is displayed on each side of the bow of such watercraft. Provides that watercraft requiring numbering applications shall be accompanied by a fee of up to $28 for a Class 1 watercraft and up to $60 for a Class 2 watercraft (rather than $18 for Class 1 watercraft and $50 for Class 2 watercraft). Provides that transfers of identification numbers with the Department of Natural Resources will bear a September 30 (rather than June 30) expiration date in the calendar year of expiration. Provides that new certificates of number issued will bear September 30 (rather than June 30) expiration dates in the calendar year 3 years after the issuing date. Provides that all certificates of number issued shall be renewed for 3 years from the nearest September 30 (rather than June 30). Provides that all certificates of number will be invalid after October 15 (rather than July 15) of the year of expiration. Limits the requirement for a certificate of title for watercraft required to be numbered to watercraft over 21 feet in length (rather than any watercraft). Repeals the Sections concerning water usage stamps and their required use on non-powered watercraft. Makes changes regarding the use of personal flotation devices. Makes other changes.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Authorizes the issuance and renewal of a license authorizing the sale of alcoholic liquor at a grocery store located within 100 feet of a specific school located in a municipality with a population in excess of 25,000 inhabitants. Effective immediately.
Amends the Early Intervention Services System Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Creates the Access to Basic Mental Health Information Act. Provides definitions for "mental health facility", "physician", and "recipient". Provides that specified individuals are entitled, upon request, to obtain certain information regarding a recipient in a mental health facility if the individual declares that he or she is involved in the recipient's care or paying for the recipient's care and the individual meets specified requirements. Provides that an individual requesting information must submit to the mental health facility specified information. Provides that a mental health facility is required to receive information relevant to the recipient's mental health treatment. Provides that if the recipient requests the mental health record from the mental health facility, any information that was tendered to the mental health facility under a promise of confidentiality may be withheld from the recipient if disclosure of the information would be reasonably likely to reveal the source of the mental health information. Provides that whenever access or modification is requested, the request, the grounds for its acceptance or denial, and any action taken thereon shall be noted in the recipient's record. Provides that a mental health facility and its employees or agents are not liable for any action under the Act unless the release was made deliberately or the release constituted gross negligence. Provides that nothing in the Act constitutes an infringement on an individual's right to obtain mental health records of the recipient if the individual has another right to the mental health records by law, regulation, or consent of the recipient. Provides that the Act shall be liberally construed to allow receipt of mental health information to individuals entitled to a recipient's information. Provides that the Act supersedes the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and any other law that would be viewed to limit the access of an individual to a recipient's mental health records to the extent necessary to give the Act full implementation.
Amends the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission Act. Provides that the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission shall be composed of 11 Commissioners (currently, members) that are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Requires at least 8 (currently, 6) commissioners of the Commission to be people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. Specifies the membership of the Commission. Modifies the qualifications and duties of the Director of the Commission. Provides that the added Director qualifications shall apply to anyone who becomes Director on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Establishes the Director as the chief executive officer of the Commission. Modifies a Section concerning the powers and duties of the Commission. Defines "commissioner".
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code in provisions concerning credit allowed a domestic ceding insurer. Provides that the assuming insurer shall provide or make certain information to be reported to the Director of Insurance available to the ceding insurer and that the assuming insurer may decline to release trade secrets or commercially sensitive information that would qualify as exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. With regard to an assuming insurer's trust fund, provides that not later than February 28 of each year, the assuming insurer's chief executive officer or chief financial officer shall certify to the Director that the trust fund contains funds in an amount not less than the assuming insurer's liabilities attributable to reinsurance ceded by U.S. ceding insurers, and in addition, a trusteed surplus of not less than $20,000,000. Permits a reduction in the required trusteed surplus in specified circumstances. Provides that in the event that the provision concerning the reduction in the required trusteed surplus applies to the trust, the assuming insurer's chief executive officer or chief financial officer shall then certify to the Director that the trust fund contains funds in an amount not less than the assuming insurer's liabilities attributable to reinsurance ceded by U.S. ceding insurers, and in addition, a reduced trusteed surplus of not less than the amount that has been authorized by the regulatory authority having principal regulatory oversight of the trust. Makes changes to provisions concerning financial strength ratings. Sets forth provisions concerning downgrades by rating agencies, the Director's authority, upgrading the rating of a certified reinsurer, and the revocation of the certification of a certified reinsurer. Makes other changes.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates an advisory council within the Department of Insurance to review and make recommendations to the Department regarding rules to be adopted by the Department concerning continuing education courses, course materials, curriculum, and credentials of instructors. Provides that the members shall be appointed by the Director of Insurance. Provides criteria for membership, length of terms, term limits, and quorum. Provides that a member of the advisory council or a designee of the Director shall be permitted access to any classroom or any educational offering while instruction is in progress to monitor the instruction for any class that has been submitted to the Department for continuing education credit under the provisions of the Code. Effective immediately.
Amends the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Minors and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Persons under 21 Years of Age and Sale and Distribution of Tobacco Products Act. Raises the age for whom tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and alternative nicotine products may be sold from at least 18 years of age to at least 21 years of age. Eliminates the penalty for possession of a cigar, cigarette, smokeless tobacco, or tobacco in any of its forms by persons under 18 years of age. Defines "electronic cigarette". Repeals the Smokeless Tobacco Limitation Act. Amends various other Acts to make conforming changes.
Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Election Code. Requires that the trustees for the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District be elected at consolidated elections. Provides that where a nomination for election is to be made for a trustee of the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District, then the petition shall be filed in the office of the county clerk not more than 113 nor less than 106 days prior to the date of the primary. Amends the Sanitary District Act of 1917. Provides that the board of trustees of the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District shall be elected (rather than appointed) beginning with the 2019 election. Sets forth requirements concerning the number of trustees to be elected and length of terms. Effective immediately.