FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   May 29, 2009

Springfield, Ill. – As the General Assembly worked toward the scheduled May 31 adjournment date, at week’s end the state budget was still up in the air; however, State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) said that Senate Democrats did take time to advance a loophole-laden campaign reform measure, despite the opposition of Republican lawmakers and major reform organizations.

Senator Righter explained that Senate Republicans voted “No” or “Present” on House Bill 7 in protest of the vastly weakened proposal that was criticized by respected good government groups, including the Illinois Reform Commission, Change Illinois and the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, highlighting the exceptionally high contribution limits and inadequate restrictions on free goods and services to political candidates.

Though the measure would institute Illinois’ first campaign finance limits—at $5,000 from individuals and $10,000 for political committees, unions, corporations and other organizations—the rest of the bill is riddled with loopholes. Many were critical of provisions that would create new avenues for campaign committees and political leaders to direct contributions to candidates.

Senate Republicans have long supported more stringent limits on campaign financing, particularly in light of the rampant corruption that put one former governor behind bars, and led to the more recent indictment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich for campaign finance abuses.

However, positive steps were taken toward addressing much-needed reforms, including contracting reforms, greater access to government records and a small step toward more fair elections.

Reformers are hoping that an announcement by the Senate Redistricting Committee to hold four hearings throughout Illinois to accept testimony and suggestions on redistricting reform is a move toward changing Illinois’ tradition of political gerrymandering legislative and congressional districts.

Senator Righter has been pushing for reform of the state’s current redistricting process based on the recommendations of the Illinois Reform Commission, which advocates abolishing the current system and hiring an independent, non-political outside contractor to draw House, Senate and federal Congressional districts. Unlike the current process, the expert would not consider election results, party affiliation of voters or the incumbents’ residences.

Contracting and other reforms were approved the previous week in HB 51 and HB 54. These measures would crack down on “pay-to-play” abuses and give inspectors general more leeway in their investigations.

Late Thursday, the Illinois Senate approved legislation that would provide the public with greater access to state and local government records. After criticism that Illinois government records need to be opened up to the public, lawmakers responded by approving Senate Bill 189, which seeks to reform the state’s Freedom of Information Act, which has been repeatedly abused by state officials. 

Public officials who violate the law could be hit with civil—but not criminal—penalties. Officials are also required to respond more quickly to FOIA inquiries, and the measure would establish a public access counselor in the Attorney General's office who would act as a go-between when considering disputes and would have the authority to deliver binding opinions as well as suggestions on what documents should be released. E-mails and text messages sent by public officials on publicly-owned telephones and electronic devices could also be reviewed by the public.

Measures approved by the General Assembly this week:

Missing Persons (SB 27): Creates the Endangered Missing Person Advisory to allow for the quick distribution of information regarding a missing person who is believed to be a "high-risk missing person,” such as someone with dementia.

State Contracts (SB 47): Requires state agencies to provide the applicable rate and unit of measurement of the goods, supplies or services on a contract, as required by the Comptroller. 

Physician’s Fees (SB 69): Alleviates the ambiguity concerning physicians splitting fees for patient referrals.

Property Taxes (SB 89): Allows properties used for natural gas extraction and fractionation or olefin and polymer manufacturing to enter into assessment settlement agreements with taxing bodies.

Architecture (SB 122): Changes the repeal date for the Illinois Architecture Act and Structural Engineer Act to January 1, 2010.

Debris (SB 125): States that general construction debris stations are no longer considered pollution facilities in Lake County, for regulation purposes.

Americans with Disabilities Act (SB 133): Requires municipalities, townships, and counties to notify the public of where they may contact the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator.

Child Protection (SB 145): Allows a parent who has a child with an order of protection to ask the clerk of the circuit court to send a certified copy of the order of protection to a day care, school, etc. so they know not to allow access to the protected child’s.

Elevator Safety (SB 149): Makes changes to the Elevator Safety Board, and pushes certain compliance dates pursuant to the new elevator safety code established by the Elevator Safety Board.

Disable Veterans (SB 206): Creates a Task Force to determine what would be an appropriate percentage goal for the state to award contracts to disabled veterans.

Mental Health Admissions (SB 209): Authorizes a disabled person to voluntary admit to a mental health facility, if they have the the capacity to consent.

Sexual Transmitted Diseases (SB 212): Allows health care professionals to prescribe antibiotics to the partner of a patient with a sexually transmitted disease, without requiring an office visit by that partner.

Veterans’ Homes Pensions (SB 214): Allows a current State employee who rendered full-time contractual services to an Illinois Veterans Home to establish service credit for up to 8 years by making specified contributions, plus interest

Public Water Trustees (SB 246): Gives pay raises to Public Water District Trustees.

Attorney Loan Repayment (SB 266): Establishes a loan repayment assistance program for public interest attorneys.

School Bus Drivers (SB 269): Raises class fees for the initial and annual refresher bus driver safety classes.

Dental Exams (SB 290): Provides for the Board of Dentistry to review “emerging scientific technology” as well as provide training for this technology, requires dental hygienists to complete CPR training and identifies what licensed dentists and unlicensed people can do relating to teeth whitening procedures.

Medical Practice Delegation (SB 318): Provides that a physician may delegate tasks and duties to appropriately licensed or unlicensed individuals, and identifies what those tasks may be.

Leave of Absence (SB 337): Mandates fulltime government employees must be granted leave and difference in pay for any training or duty required by the U.S. Armed Forces.

Credit Checks (SB 340): Requires the Department of Child and Family Services to conduct annual credit checks on children, in response to reports of child identity theft.

Locally Grown Produce (SB 574): States that health authorities may not discourage the purchase of locally grown foods.

Credit Cards (SB 577): Mandates METRA to accept fares via credit card.

Public Facilities (SB 587): Allows counties to own student housing.

E-Verify (SB 1133): Allows for employers to use the E-Verify Program and the Basic Pilot Program to help them verify the employment eligibility of new employees.

EMT (SB 1254): Authorizes Department of Public Health to review applications for EMT licensure from members of the armed forces with military emergency medical training and offer the applicant an opportunity to complete an exam as long as all qualifications are met.

Roofing Licensure (SB 1339): Takes away the grandfather exemption for roofing licensure.

Court Fines (SB 1341): Imposes an additional $10 fee on any person who receives court supervision for a Vehicle Code violation to go into the Driver’s Education Fund.

Professional Engineering (SB1384): Moves the sunset for the Professional Engineers Act to January 1, 2020.

Non Profit Messages (SB 1390): Changes the rules in regard to electronic messages for non-profit corporations to give them more flexibility.

Therapists (SB 1391): Requires Illinois State Board of Education to adopt rules concerning standards for the certification of marital and family therapists to be employed by school boards.

Carnival Rides (SB 1408): Establishes civil penalties for violations relating to carnival operators, owners, workers, etc. related to licensure, record keeping and sex offender and criminal background check for workers.

Physician Assistants (SB 1486): Expands the scope of the physician assistant advisory committee.

Green Infrastructures (SB 1489): Establishes an IEPA study on storm water management.

Income Tax Checkoff (SB 1490): Creates an income tax check off for crisis nurseries.

Gold Star Recipients (SB 1493):  Mandates the Court of Claims to assist Gold Star Families with regard to claims under Line of Duty Compensation Act.

Community Services (SB 1499): Revises the date the Governor must make nominations to the commission at the Department of Human Services responsible for reviewing funding methodologies and identifying revenue for community development disability, mental health, alcohol, substance, and rehabilitation services. 

Student Records (SB 1508): Establishes that nothing in the School Student Records Acts can be construed to impair or limit the confidentiality of information communicated in confidence to a school social worker, school counselor, or school psychologists.

Hunger Relief (SB 1544): Creates an income tax check-off for the Hunger Relief Fund.

Mexican-American History (SB 1557): Requires the Study of Mexican-American History curriculum in every public elementary school and high school.

Pediatric Care (SB 1583): Requires HFS to submit a federal waiver or State Plan Amendment which would fund a Medicaid Pediatric Palliative Care Pilot Program.

Tax Increment (SB 1601):Requires economic development project costs to include any direct or indirect costs relating to LEED certified construction elements.

Energy Assistance (SB 1629): Links the Rental Housing Support Program along with Chicago public housing’s Section 8 program to LIHEAP.

Counterfeiting (SB 1631): Strengthens penalties for those possessing, selling, marketing, and transporting counterfeit goods.

Political Committees (SB 1662): States that political committees created within 30 days of an election must file their statement of organization within 2 business days.

Child Care Background Checks (SB 1677): Creates a task force to examine how state and local governmental agencies conduct criminal history record checks before employing or approving a person to render provider services.

Smoke Free Illinois (SB 1685): Exempts American Indian religious ceremonies and rituals from the Smoke Free Illinois Act.

Student Loans (SB 1698): Creates the Task Force on Higher Education Private Student Loans. 

Expulsion (SB 1718): Gives a school district more flexibility in expulsions, especially for look-a-like weapons.

Procurement (SB 1737): Makes various changes to the Illinois Procurement Code to make the language more politically correct.

Victims Rights (SB 1770): Establishes that employers cannot discriminate against victims of domestic or sexual violence and requires employers to allow employees who are victims of domestic abuse to take unpaid leave to seek medical help, legal assistance, counseling, safety planning, and other assistance.

Mississippi River Port District (SB 1784): Creates the Upper Mississippi River International Port District, which has the power to issue certain permits, the power to locate, establish, and maintain a public airport, the power to acquire former military bases, the power of eminent domain, and the power to issue bonds.

Early Voting (SB 1801): Requires any permanent early voting polling place

to stay open for a total of at least 8 hours on any holiday during the early voting period and for a minimum of 14 hours on the final weekend of the early voting period. 

Veterinary Medicine (SB 1830): Deletes a permissive provision that allowed an applicant who has met all the requirements to be a veterinarian to practice under a licensed veterinarian awaiting certification/denial for licensure. 

Low Speed Vehicles (SB 1866): Defines a low speed vehicle as any 4-wheeled vehicle with a maximum speed greater than 20 mph but not greater than 25 mph. 

Wellness Coverage (SB 1877): Provides that a policy that provides coverage for treatment on an expense incurred basis, may offer a program for wellness coverage.

Education Streamlining (SB 1882): Creates a Task Force to explore and examine duties of the State Board of Education (ISBE) and the regional support systems to determine which the regional groups could more appropriately and efficiently deliver to school districts.

Mobile Homes (SB 1920): Creates the Mobile and Manufactured Home Relocation Commission to address the problems and cost associated with moving mobile homes when mobile home parks close.

Information Service (SB 1922): Creates the 2-1-1 information system to provide information on where to obtain assistance from local and national social service programs.

Parent/Teacher Conferences (SB 1956): Changes the way parent teacher conferences may be configured.

Income Tax Definitions (SB 1975): Changes the law regarding captive real estate investment trusts.

Intrastate Detainer (SB 2010): Exempts people from the speedy trial provision who are no longer committed to a facility or program of DOC, and clarifies that a person on parole or mandatory supervised release from DOC is not a committed person covered by the speedy trial provision. 

Eavesdropping (SB 2026): Allows consensual video and audio eavesdropping by police during a hostage subject situation.

Low Birth Weight Study (SB 2043): Requires a study on patient outcomes for patients at risk of low birth weight or premature birth.

Blind Vendors (SB 2045): Creates the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind, and requires priority be given to blind vendors in the operation of vending facilities on State property.

Disbursements (SB 2111): Provides that title insurance companies can not make disbursements in connection with any escrows, settlements, or closings out of a fiduciary trust account or accounts unless the funds are in the aggregate amount of $50,000 or greater received from any single party to the transaction are good funds or are collected funds.

Intervention Task Force (SB 2119): Creates a Task Force to develop strategies to allow for the innovation, intervention, and restructuring of schools.

Pigeon Control (SB 2272): Allows municipalities to regulate the keeping of carrier, racing, hobby, and show pigeons.

Education Technology (SB 2277): Creates a pilot project for digital technology in the classroom.

Industrialized Residential Structures (SB 1560): Allows an effort to stipulate that manufactured homes may not be prohibited from being placed on a landowner’s property.

National Guard (SB 1955): Allows the Adjutant General to order the Illinois National Guard into active duty for nonemergency functions.  

Environmental Health Practitioner (HB 1119): Requires the DFPR to issue a license to a person who holds a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitarian credential in good standing with the National Environmental Health Association

Liens (HB 236): Requires a person contracted to make improvements to an owner-occupied single-family residence to give the owner written notice by certified mail within 10 days of recording a lien against any property of the owner.

Methamphetamine (HB 865): Creates the methamphetamine precursor tracking pilot programs in Adams, Madison, St. Clair, and Vermilion Counties to track purchases of targeted meth precursors from pharmacies in an effort to identify illicit distributors of the precursors.

Bidding (HB 613): Allows for the acceptance of sealed electronic competitive bids for school districts (not construction projects), similar to the state’s contracting process.

Chicago School Closures (HB 363): Creates a task force to make more informed decisions and invite community input related to the closure of Chicago schools.

Green Career Grant (HB 740): Requires the State Board of Education to establish a state grant program that develops 2-year pilot programs to assist in the creation and promotion of green career and technical education programs in public secondary schools.

Mental Health Scholarship (HB 1143): Creates a scholarship to provide financial assistance for people in the field of counseling, psychology, social work, etc. and who are pursuing an advanced degree.

Design Build (HB 372): Changes the sunset date of Design Build procurement from July 1, 2009 to July 1, 2014.

Election Signatures (HB 723): Requires candidates from an established political party that are nominated to the ballot to fill a vacancy after the primary election must gather signatures equal to the number required for established candidates for that office.

Wellness Incentives (HB 927): Authorizes health insurance plans to provide incentives for enrollees engaged in programs to improve their health care behavior.

Sanitary Emergencies (HB 2296): RequiresMetra, CTA, and PACE to develop plans to deal with medical and sanitary emergencies.

Used Car Dealers (HB 2322): Establishes a required pre-licensing education program for used vehicle dealers.

Preference Points (HB 849): Provides that National Guard and Reserves time in training or service school attendance counts towards municipal veteran’s preference points, if they have been deployed.