Legislative Update Memo

Transcription

1 Kolkmeier Consulting Phone: (312) Fax: (217) Legislative Update Memo 04/25/07 Metro Counties The three primary bills we are focusing on are opposing SB 488 (probation officers added to SLEP), SB 1296 (expanding our tort liability), and HB 1500 (removing our control over cable franchise agreements and loss of revenue). However as you can see, there are lots of other good and bad bills listed in the report. I

2 BILL: HB 224 TITLE: CNTY CD-COUNTY MOTOR FUEL TAX COMMENT : SUPPORT - Permissive MFT Rep. Patricia Reid Lindner-Ronald A. Wait-Brent Hassert-Kurt M. Granberg Amends the Counties Code. Authorizes the counties of Kendall, Boone, DeKalb, and Grundy to impose a county motor fuel tax. Requires referendum approval before the tax may be imposed. Sets forth requirements for the referendum and for the imposition and collection of the tax. Makes technical changes.. Authorizes Lake County, subject to a referendum, to impose, the county motor fuel tax. House Amendment No. 2 Provides that a county shall (instead of may) use the tax revenue solely for certain transportation purposes. House Amendment No. 3 Adds Will County to the list of counties that may impose a motor fuel tax. STATUS : 4/20/2007 House Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate ************************************:**************************************************** ** BILL: HB 303 TITLE : CTY CD-JUROR FEES MIN WAGE COMMENT : OPPOSE - Unfunded mandate Rep. Jack D. Franks Amends the Counties Code..Provides that grand and petit jurors shall receive.an amount equal to minimum wage for 8 hours of work for each day of necessary attendance at court as jurors (now, jurors receive $4 per day in first class counties, $5 per day in second class counties, and $10 per day in third class counties, or a higher amount as fixed by the county board). Amends the States Mandates Act to require implementation without'reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately. STATUS : 3/23/2007 House Rule 19( a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee BILL: HB 310 TITLE : CNTY CD-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMENT : SUPPORT - Winnebago County initiative Rep. Dave Winters-Keith P. Sommer-Shane Cultra (Sen. M. Maggie Crotty-Pamela J. Althoff and Dale A. Righter) Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county may appropriate funds from the county treasury and expend those funds for economic development purposes. Effective immediately. STATUS : 4/25/2007 Senate Postponed - Local Government 2

3 BILL: HB 364 TITLE : EPA-NEW AND USED TIRE FEE COMMENT : Support Rep. Jack McGuire-Elaine Nekritz-Mike Boland-Julie Hamo.s, Lisa M. Dugan, (Sen. Terry Link) Amends the Environmental Protection Act. With respect to the additional 50-cent new or used tire fee collected from retail customers, eliminates a provision terminating the fee on January 1, Makes revisory changes. Effective July 1, STATUS : 4/19/2007 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading April 20, 2007 *************-****x************-k***x***** ******************** ********* *****.************** BILL: HB 511 TITLE : FOIA-SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS COMMENT : Oppose Rep. Kevin Joyce-William B. Black-David E. Miller-Jack D. Franks-Monique D. Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Redefines a public record to include a settlement agreement entered into by or on behalf of a public body. Effective immediately. Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Redefines a "public record" to include the portion of a settlement agreement entered into by or on behalf of a public body that shows the total amount of any moneys or total financial value of other agreements that resulted in a financial payment to or by the public'body and the amount expended by or on behalf of the public body for the prosecution', defense, or settlement of any litigation. Effective immediately. STATUS : 4/24/2007 House Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate *******************************************************-************************************ BILL: HB 573 TITLE : IDENTITY PROTECTION ACT COMMENT : NEUTRAL as amended Rep. Ruth Munson-Sandra M. Pihos-Sidney H. Mathias-Sara Feigenholtz-John A. (Sen. Christine Radogno-Pamela J. Althoff, Michael W. Frerichs, Linda Holmes, Creates the Identity Protection Act. Prohibits a State or local government agency from using an individual's social security number in certain ways, subject to various exceptions. Requires each State or local government agency to develop and implement an identity protection plan. Provides that any employee of a State or local government agency who intentionally violates the provisions of the Act is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. Preempts the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately. Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill. Removes a Section from the introduced bill that prohibits the filing of.certain documents with a recorder of deeds or circuit court clerk if the document contains a social security number. STATUS : 3/30/2007 Senate Assigned to Executive 3

4 BILL: HB 633 TITLE : COUNTY JAIL-MEDICAID COMMENT: Support - St. Clair County initiative Rep. Thomas Holbrook-Dan Reitz-Jay C. Hoffman-Daniel V. Beiser-Patrick J SENATE-SPONSOR: (Sen. Rickey R. Hendon-William R. Haine) Amends the County Jail Act. Provides that if a person confined in a county jail is in need of-medical services and is determined eligible for medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code at the time the person is detained (rather than has already been determined eligible for medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code at the time the person is initially detained pending trial), the cost of such services, to the extent such cost exceeds $500, shall be reimbursed by the. Department of Healthcare and Family Services under that Code. Provides that an arresting authority shall be responsible for any incurred medical expenses relating to the arrestee until such time as the arrestee is placed in the custody of the sheriff unless the arrestee is eligible for medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code or reimbursement under an authorized public or private program. Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill. Further amends the County Jail Act. Provides that "medical expenses" include medical and, hospital services but do not include expenses incurred for medical care or treatment provided to a person on account of a self-inflicted injury incurred prior to or in the course of an arrest. Provides that when medical services are required by any person held in custody, the county, private hospital, physician, or any public agency which provides such services shall be entitled to obtain reimbursement from the county. Eliminates the ability of such entities to obtain reimbursement from the Arrestee's Medical Costs Fund. Changes the name of the Arrestee's Medical Costs Fund to the County Jail Medical Costs Fund. Provides that in such cases, the county shall be.entitled to obtain reimbursement from the County Jail Medical Costs Fund to the extent moneys are available from the Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for reimbursement to the county of costs for medical expenses and administration of the Fund. Adds an immediate effective date. STATUS : 4/25/2007 Senate Postponed - Judiciary Criminal Law *************,*************-**********:***************************************************** BILL: HB 822 TITLE : ANIMAL CONTROL-DANGEROUS DOGS COMMENT : SUPPORT Rep. Jerry L. Mitchell-Sidney H. Mathias-Paul D. Froehlich-Mike Boland (Sen. Don Harmon) Amends the Animal Control Act. Defines "potentially dangerous dog". Changes the burden of proof, on appeal from a finding of dangerous dog, to preponderance of the evidence (now clear and convincing evidence). Provides that a dog found running at large with 3 or more dogs may be deemed a potentially dangerous dog by the animal control warden or administrator. Requires potentially dangerous dogs to be spayed or neutered and microchipped within 14 days of reclaim. Provides penalties for violation of the Act. Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the substantive provisions of the bill with changes. Provides that a dog that is actively engaged in a legal hunting activity, including training, is not considered to be running at large if the dog is on land that is open to hunting or on land on which the person has obtained permission to hunt or to train a dog. Also provides that a dog in a dog-friendly area or dog park is not considered running at large if it is monitored or supervised. Provides that an animal pound or animal 4

5 shelter shall not adopt or release any dog or cat to anyone other than the owner unless the animal has been or will be rendered incapable of reproduction and microchipped. STATUS 4/25/2007 Senate Referred to Rules ************************************,******************************-********************-** BILL: HB 827 TITLE : WIRELESS EMERG TEL SAFE-SUNSET COMMENT: Support Rep. Donald L. Moffitt-Mike Fortner-Paul D. Froehlich-Sidney,H. Mathias--Michael Amends the Wireless Emergency Telephone Safety Act. Extends the repeal of the Act from April 1, 2008 to April 1, Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Wireless Emergency Telephone Safety Act. Requires wireless carriers to impose a monthly surcharge of $1.50 per CMRS connection (instead of a surcharge amount set by the Wireless Enhanced Board). Provides for the disbursement of the funds as follows: $0.25 per surcharge shall be deposited into. the Wireless Carriers Reimbursement Fund, $0.50 per surcharge shall be distributed to Basic and Wireless Phase 1 systems, $1.25 per surcharge shall be distributed to Phase 2 systems, and the balance shall be used by the Illinois Commerce Commission to make grants to qualified entities for the purpose of establishing a sophisticated system or upgrading from a Phase.1 to a Phase 2 system. Extends the repeal of the Act from April 1, 2008 to April 1, Amends the State Finance Act to exclude the Wireless Service Emergency Fund and the Wireless Carriers Reimbursement Fund from provisions that allow the Governor to authorize the transfer of funds from certain special funds to the General Revenue Fund. Provides that the Auditor General shall conduct an audit of the Wireless Service Emergency Fund and the Wireless Carrier Reimbursement Fund. Makes other changes. STATUS: 4/25/2007 House Placed on Calendar Order-of 3rd Reading - Short Debate BILL : HHB : 918 TITLE : VEH CD-HIGHWAY ACCESS COMMENT : Opposed - excessive truck weights Rep. William B. Black and Ron Stephens Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that certain large vehicles have access from any designated (rather than any State designated) highway onto any highway for the necessary distance (rather than for 5 highway miles) for purposes of loading or unloading. Provides that these vehicles have access from any designated (rather than any State designated) highway onto any State, county, or township highway for the necessary distance (rather than for 5 highway miles) for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and rest. STATUS : 3/27/2007 House Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate BILL : HB 1050 TITLE : JUV CRT-MINOR CONFINE COMMENT : Oppose 5

6 Rep. Annazette Collins-Monique D. Davis-Eddie Washington Amends the Juvenile Court Act of Provides that no minor-under 17 (instead of 12) years of age shall be detained in a county jail or a municipal lockup for more than 6 hours. Deletes a provision requiring a minor's confinement to be implemented in such a manner that there is no contact by sight, sound, or otherwise between adult prisoners. Makes other changes. STATUS : 4/25/2007 House Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate BILL : HB TITLE: REGIONAL PLANNING COMMENT : Support Amendment # 1 Rep. Suzanne Bassi-Julie Hamos-Kathleen A. Ryg, Lou Lang and Patrick J Amends the Regional Planning Act. Provides for a review process for Projects of Regional Significance. Imposes a fee on counties and municipalities to be used to promote comprehensive land use and transportation planning. Provides for the General Assembly to match the fees. Requires the Board to review and make recommendations to designate a Metropolitan Planning organization to coordinate decision-making. Contains other provisions. STATUS : 3/21/2007 House Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate **** *****************'*************-*******.******* ****************** ****************** BILL : HB 1391 TITLE : CNTY CD-CHILD ADVOCACY FEE COMMENT : Support - Kane County initiative Rep. Mike Fortner-Linda Chapa LaVia-Kathleen A. Ryg-Patricia Reid Lindner (Sen. Linda Holmes and William R. Haine-Larry K. Bomke) Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, in each county in which a Children's Advocacy Center provides services, the county board may adopt a mandatory fee of up to $5 to be paid by a defendant on a judgment of guilty or a grant of supervision under.certain Sections-of the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that certain county boards may adopt a mandatory fee of between $5 and $30 (instead of $5).to be paid by certain defendants and deposited into an account specifically for the operation and administration of a Children's Advocacy Center. STATUS: 4/25/2007 Senate Assigned to Local Government ******,*.* * **************** ************************** ************************************* BILL : HB 1491 TITLE : VEH CD-ALTER SPEED LIMIT-LOCAL COMMENT : NEUTRAL Rep. Renee Kosel-Brent Hassert-Sidney H. Mathias (Sen. A. J; Wilhelmi) SLUdyiARY : 6

7 Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the county board of a county may determine and declare by ordinance a reduction in the maximum speed limit at any place or along any part or zone of a county highway whenever the county board, in its sole discretion, determines that the reduction in the maximum speed limit is appropriate. Effective immediately. STATUS : 4/25/2007 Senate Postponed - Transportation ************** ******* ******-**************************************** ** ***** ********* * BILL: HB 1500 TITLE: UTIL-CABLE-VID-COMPETITION COMMENT: OPPOSE- usurps local authority Rep. James D. Brosnahan-Thomas Holbrook-Marlow H. Colvin-Kenneth Dunkin-William Creates the Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007 in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a person or entity seeking to provide cable service or video service must file an application with and obtain a State-issued authorization from the Illinois Commerce Commission. Provides that the holder of a State-issued authorization must: (1) comply with rules concerning customer service and privacy protection; (2) designate a sufficient amount of capacity on its network to provide for the same number of public, education, and government access channels that are in actual use; (3) comply with provisions concerning the emergency alert system; and (4) comply with provisions concerning applicable fees payable to and audits by local units of government. Contains provisions concerning the local unit of government's authority over the holder of a State-issued authorization. Specifies the requirements for a holder of a State-issued authorization to provide video services. Contains provisions concerning the access to property and payment for access by the holder of a State-issued authorization. Provides that the Law shall be enforced only by a court of competent jurisdiction. Preempts home rule. Amends other Acts to provide that'they are subject to the provisions added to the Public Utilities Act. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. STATUS : 3/29/2007 House Assigned to Telecommunications Committee BILL : HB 1517 TITLE : JUV CT-DELINQUENCY AGE COMMENT : OPPOSE Rep. Annazette Collins-Arthur L. Turner-Robert S.. Molaro-Eddie Amends the Juvenile Court Act of Defines "delinquent minor" as any minor who prior to his or her 18th birthday has violated or attempted to violate, regardless of where the act occurred, any federal, State, county or municipal law or ordinance classified as a misdemeanor offense (presently persons 17 years of age are prosecuted as adults). Creates the Illinois Juvenile Jurisdiction Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a report by January 1, 2008 to the General Assembly with recommendations on extending juvenile court jurisdiction to youth age 17 charged with Class'4 and Class 3 felonies. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a report by January 1, 2009 to the General Assembly with recommendations on extending juvenile court jurisdiction to youth age 17 charged with all remaining felony classifications. Effective immediately. Further amends the Juvenile Court Act of Provides that if-before trial or plea, an information or indictment is filed that includes one or more charges under the criminal laws of this State and additional charges that are classified as misdemeanors that are subject to proceedings under the Act, all of the charges arising out of the same incident shall be prosecuted under the criminal laws of this State. Provides that if after trial or

8 plea the court finds that the minor committed an offense misdemeanor, the court must'proceed under the Act. that is solely classified as a STATUS : 4/24/2007 House Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Standard-Debate BILL : HB TITLE : JUV CT-DELINQUENCY AGE COMMENT: OPPOSE Rep. Annazette Collins-Monique D. Davis-Eddie Washington Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, the Unified Code of Corrections, the Sex Offender Registration Act, and the Child Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act. Provides that persons under 18 years of age (rather than under 17 years of age) who commit offenses are subject to the proceedings under the Act for delinquent minors. STATUS : 3/22/2007 House Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Standard Debate BILL: HB 1622 TITLE : MUNI CD-PLANNING COMMENT : NEUTRAL (with HAl) Rep. Mark H. Beaubien, Jr. Amends the Municipal Code. Provides that a municipal ordinance designating an official map must state the size of residential lots. Provides that territory subject to an official plan or map and a municipal planning ordinance (instead of only an official plan or map) shall be exempt from any less restrictive county rules or regulations (now, the territory is only exempt from rules and regulations under a specific provision of the Counties Code relating to maps, plats, and subdivisions in counties with a population of less-than-500,000 that are served by the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission). Effective immediately. STATUS : '3/22/2007 House Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate *****************************************************************************************^*** BILL: HB 3463 TITLE : BONDS-LOCAL GOV-WASTEWATER COMMENT : Support Rep. George Scully, Jr.-Al Riley and Ed Sullivan, Jr. SENATE 'SPONSOR: ( ) Amends the Build Illinois Bond Act. Provides that certain bonds that may currently be used for loans or grants to units of local government for wastewater facilities may also be used for grants to serve unincorporated areas. Effective immediately. STATUS : 3/29/2007 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading March 30, 2007 *****^*************'************************************************************************* 8

9 BILL : HB 3597 TITLE : LOCGOV-ANNEXATION COMMENT : SUPPORT - Permissive Rep. Robert W. Pritchard-Ronald A. Wait () Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that certain counties are excluded from a provision of the Illinois Municipal Code that,'provides that property within the county that is covered by an annexation-agreement, is subject to the ordinances, control, and jurisdiction of the annexing municipality, unless the county board elects to be covered by that provision by a vote of two-thirds of its members. House Amendment No. I Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, in certain counties, if property that is the subject of an annexation agreement is-located more than 1.5 miles from the corporate boundaries of the annexing municipality, that property is subject to the ordinances, control, and jurisdiction.of the annexing municipality unless the county board retains jurisdiction by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of its members. Provides that, if the county board retains jurisdiction, the annexing municipality may file a request for jurisdiction with the county board on a case by case basis. Provides that, if the county board agrees by the affirmative vote of a majority of its members, then the property shall be subject to the ordinances, control, and jurisdiction of the annexing municipality. House Amendment No. 2 Provides that, in Boone, DeKalb, Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, ogle, or Winnebago County (instead of a county borders a county that borders a county with a population of more than 3,000,000), if property that is the subject of an annexation agreement is located more than 1.5 miles from the corporate boundaries of,the annexing municipality, that property is subject to the ordinances, control, and jurisdiction of the annexing municipality unless the county board retains jurisdiction by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of its members. STATUS : 4/25/2007 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading April 26, BILL: SB 13 TITLE: PROP TX-ALT HOMESTEAD EXEMPT COMMENT : OPPOSE - 7% Solution - amend to apply to Cook County only Sen. Terry Link-Ira I. Silverstein-Dan Kotowski-Don Harmon-Edward D. Maloney, Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption, under which an exemption from the property's value is granted for residential property that is owned and occupied as a residence by a veteran for the tax year in which the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. In a Section concerning the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, provides that in all counties (now, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants), the county board may by resolution provide that if a person has been granted the homestead exemption, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption. In a Section concerning the alternative general homestead exemption, extends the alternative exemption by an additional 3 years. Provides that the maximum amount of the exemption is $60,000.if the general assessment year for the property is 2006 or later. Provides that the base year for counties other than Cook County is the 2005 or 2006 tax year. Provides that, to subject itself to the provisions of the alternative general homestead exemption, a county must adopt an ordinance to that effect.within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. 9

10 Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill as introduced with the following changes: In a Section concerning the alternative general homestead exemption, extends the alternative exemption by an additional 4 years in counties other than Cook County. Requires a recalculation of base homestead value for homestead properties in Cook County. Effective immediately.. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Changes references of "equalized value" to "equalized assessed value,.,. STATUS : 3/1/2007 House Assigned to Revenue Committee *******x-********** *********************************************************************** BILL: SB 26 TITLE : VEH CD-TRUCK SIZE & WEIGHT COMMENT : Opposed - excessive truck weights Sen. J. Bradley Burzynski Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a local highway jurisdiction may issue permits for the movement, to or from a farm or other production agriculture facility, of., divisible and non-divisible loads of production agriculture commodities and goods used in production agriculture that exceed posted local size and weight limits. Provides that the permitted size and weight of these loads may not exceed the limits allowed on State highways. Effective immediately. STATUS : 3/29/2007 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 30, 2007 BILL: SB 56 TITLE : TOW TRUCKS COMMENT : Lake County Initiative Sen. Terry Link-William E. Peterson Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, if a damaged vehicle is obstructing traffic lanes, the driver of the vehicle must make every. reasonable effort to move the vehicle or have it moved so as not to block the traffic lanes. Provides that, if any peace officer or highway authority official finds a vehicle standing upon a highway in violation of a parking restriction or a disabled vehicle blocking a roadway, he or she may move the vehicle, require its operator to move the vehicle, or provide for its removal by a third party. Provides that the vehicle may be moved to the shoulder of the road, to a position where parking is permitted, or to public parking or storage premises. Provides that a towing service is not liable for any loss or damages to real or personal property that occurs as a result of the removal or towing of the vehicle. STATUS : 3/22/2007 House Referred to Rules Committee BILL:' SB 77 TITLE : PROP TX-WAIVE INTEREST PENALTY COMMENT : SUPPORT - Lake County Initiative Sen. Susan Garrett-William E. Peterson-Terry Link and Pamela J. Althoff 10

11 Amends the Property Tax Code. Sets forth criteria under which a county board may adopt a resolution to waive an interest penalty for the delinquent-payment of taxes with respect to property that qualifies as a brownfield site under federal law. STATUS : 3/2/2007 House Referred to Rules Committee ****************,***********************************************x****x********************** BILL : SB.154 TITLE: EPA-NEW AND USED TIRE FEE COMMENT : Support Sen. Terry Link-Edward D. Maloney and Pamela J. Althoff SLJHM RY : Amends the Environmental Protection Act. With respect to the additional 50-cent new or used tire fee collected from retail customers, eliminates a provision terminating the fee on January 1, Makes revisory changes. Effective July 1, STATUS : 2/28/2007 House Referred to Rules Committee BILL: SB 345 TITLE: CNTY CD-SALES TAX COMMENT :' Support - Lake County initiative Sen. William E. Peterson-Terry Link and Pamela J. Althoff Amends the Counties Code. In a Section that authorizes a county to impose a sales tax for public safety or transportation purposes, revises the language of the referendum imposing the tax and the additional language that appears below the question. Allows the county to include a sunset provision for.the tax. STATUS : 3/29/2007 House Referred to Rules Committee BILL: SB 488 TITLE: PEN CD-SLEP-PROBATION OFFICER COMMENT: OPPOSE Sen. Mike Jacobs-Iris Y. Martinez Amends the IMRF Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Makes county probation officers eligible for the sheriff's law enforcement employee (SLEP) formula. Allows these probation officers to convert non-slep service as a probation officer into SLEP credit by paying the difference in employee contributions plus interest; waives the interest if payment is made within one year. Allows a participating municipality to phase in the costs of converting the service with payments over 5 years. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Creates a 5-year window for application for the conversion of service credits and removes language waiving the payment of interest if payment if made within a specified oneyear period. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the introduced bill with the following changes. In the definition of "sheriff's law enforcement employees", adds language requiring that the county probation officer be employed on a full-time basis. In provisions concerning the conversion of the credit, (i) provides'that.the conversion may only occur 11

12 within 5 years after the effective date and (ii) deletes provisions waiving the interest and allowing the participating municipality to phase in conversion costs. Effective immediately. STATUS : 4/9/2007 House Referred to Rules Committee **************** **********************************-**************************************** BILL: SB 500 TITLE : SMOKE FREE ILLINOIS ACT COMMENT : NEUTRAL Sen. Terry Link-John J. Cullerton-Mattie Hunter-Jeffrey M. Schoenberg-Christine Creates the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Sets forth the findings of the General Assembly. Creates several definitions. Prohibits smoking in public places, places of employment, and governmental vehicles. Requires "No Smoking" signs to be posted in each public place and place of employment where smoking is prohibited. Requires ashtrays to be removed from any area where smoking is prohibited. Prohibits smoking in student dormitories, including, but not limited to, sleeping rooms, dining areas, restrooms, laundry areas, lobbies, and hallways, of a building used in whole or in part as a student dormitory that is owned and operated or otherwise utilized by a public or private institution of higher education. Provides that the Department of Public Health, State-certified local public health departments, and local law enforcement agencies shall enforce the provisions of the Act. Sets forth fines for violations of the Act. Provides that the Department, a State-certified local public health department, local law enforcement agency, or any individual personally affected by repeated violations may institute, in a circuit court, an action to enjoin violations of the Act. Prohibits discrimination against individuals who exercise their rights afforded by the Act. Provides that a home rule unit may regulate smoking in public places, but that regulation must be no less restrictive than the provisions in the Act. Prohibits smoking within a minimum distance of 15 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited., Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.. Repeals the Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act. STATUS : 4/20/2007 House Assigned to Environmental Health Committee ******************************************************************************************* BILL: SB 644 TITLE : PEN CD-IMRF--CORONERS-SLEP COMMENT: Oppose Sen. James A. DeLeo-John J. Millner SL:RY : Amends the IMRF Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that an elected or appointed coroner may elect to participate in the Fund as a sheriff's law enforcement employee (SLEP). Allows conversion of prior service. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. STATUS : 3/21/2007 House Referred to Rules Committee 12

13 BILL: SB 744 TITLE : ST ATTY SUPERVISION FEE COMMENT : SUPPORT Sen. William E. Peterson-William R. Haine and Martin A. Sandoval Amends the Counties Code. Authorizes the State's Attorneys in counties under 3,000,000 population to charge a fee of $10 in certain cases when the court enters an order of supervision. STATUS : 4/9/2007 House Referred to Rules Committee *****,*********-**********:***************************************************************** BILL: SB 794 TITLE : REVENUE-TECH COMMENT : SUPPORT Sen. Susan Garrett-Emil Jones, Jr.-Linda Holmes-Dan Kotowski, David Koehler, Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning subpoenas of the Property Tax'Appeal Board. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Property Tax Code. With respect to the senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption, authorizes. county boards to establish a "standard exemption transfer amount" to allow a person who has previously been granted the homestead exemption and who relocates to a new residence to be eligible to reapply for the first taxable year that the person occupies the new residence on January 1. Provides that the "base amount" is then: (i) the equalized assessed value for the first taxable year that the person occupies the new residence oil January 1; minus (ii) the standard exemption transfer amount; plus (iii) the first year's equalized assessed value of any added improvements that increased the assessed value of the new residence. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that if a taxpayer, who has been granted a Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, transfers his or her residence, then the base amount for the. new residence is an amount equal to the base amount of the taxpayer's prior residence if the new residence (i) has a current equalized assessed value that is equal to or less than the current equalized assessed value of the taxpayer's prior residence; (ii) is located in the same county as the prior residence; and (iii) is acquired and used for residential purposes. within 30 days before or after the transfer of the prior'residence. Effective immediately. STATUS : 4/9/2007 House Referred to Rules Committee BILL: SB 1252 TITLE : PROP TX-PTELL-PENSION LEVIES COMMENT : SUPPORT Sen. James F. Clayborne, Jr. and Martin A. Sandoval Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Exempts, from the definition of "aggregate extension", all contributions to a pension fund created under Article 3, Article 4, or Article 7 of the Illinois Pension Code. Effective immediately. STATUS : 3/30/2007 Senate Placed on Calendar - Consideration Postponed April 18,

14 BITS : SB 1296 TITLE : CIV PRO-LIABLTY REMAINING PTYS COMMENT : Oppose Sen. John St3NMARY :. Cullert'on-Martin A. Sandoval-Iris Y. Martinez Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that the apportionment of fault under the joint liability Section only applies to the parties still remaining in the case at the time that a final determination is made by the trier of fact and does not apply to the defendants or third party defendants that have been dismissed for any reason, including settlement. Provides that this Amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly applies to all actions pending on or filed on or after the effective date. Effective immediately. STATUS : 3/22/2007 House Referred to Rules Committee ***************:**************************************************************************** BILL: SB 1354 TITLE': PROP TX-TAX SALES-REGISTRATION.COMMENT : SUPPORT Sen. James F. Clayborne, Jr. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the registration for 'a tax sale in a county with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants must be accompanied by a deposit in an amount determined by the county collector, but not to exceed $2.50 in counties with less than 50,000 inhabitants or $500 in all other counties, which shall be applied to the amount due on the properties that the registrant.has purchased, and, if the registrant does not participate in the sale, then the deposit is forfeited to the Tax Sale Automation Fund. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Further amends the Property Tax Code to provide that, if the registrant cannot participate in a tax sale, then he or she may notify the tax collector, no later than 5 business days prior to the sale, of the name of the substitute person who will participate in the sale in the registrant'.s place, and an additional deposit is not required for any such substitute person. Provides that, if the registrant does attend the sale and attempts, but fails, to'purchase any parcels offered,for sale, then the deposit must be.refunded to the registrant (instead of being forfeited to the Tax Sale Automation Fund). STATUS : 4/20/2007 House Referred to Rules Committee *****************.************************************************************ ********* ***** BILL: SB 1362 TITLE: PROP TX- AUTOMATION FEES COMMENT : SUPPORT SU ARY: Sen. James F. Clayborne, Jr. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the county collector may assess, to the purchaser of property for delinquent taxes, an automation fee of not more than $20 (now, $10) per parcel if automated bidding systems are employed at the tax sale. Effective immediately. STATUS : 4/20/2007 House Referred to Rules Committee 14