Senate Bill 3411 Will Eliminate Ineffective System and Improve Safety

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to prohibit municipalities from requiring police officers to meet ticket quotas. The new law also prevents quotas from being used to evaluate an officer's performance. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to maintain integrity in local government.

"Law enforcement officers should have discretion on when and where to issue traffic citations and not be forced to ticket motorists to satisfy a quota system," Governor Quinn said. "This new law will improve safety and working conditions for police officers and prevent motorists from facing unnecessary anxiety when they encounter a police vehicle."

Senate Bill 3411, sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and State Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea), prohibits a county or municipality from requiring a law enforcement officer to issue a specific number of citations within a designated period of time. It also says a county or municipality may not compare the number of citations issued by the law enforcement officer to the number of citations issued by any other law enforcement officer for purposes of job performance evaluation. The new law applies to local, county and state police officers, and is effective immediately.

"With today's technology, there are more effective ways to evaluate the performance of a police officer," Senator Manar said. "Using the number of citations is an outdated and ineffective evaluation tool. It doesn't lead to better policing, it doesn't lead to better use of taxpayer money and it doesn't lead to better relationships with the community, all of which are challenges we face."

"Arbitrary quotas on the number of tickets that have to be issued by police officers undermines the public trust in the police departments' priorities," Representative Hoffman said. "By eliminating these quotas, we can restore that trust and ensure that police officers are free to do their job protecting the public."

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Bills Increase Support for Birth-to-Three Early Childhood Programs and Help Provide Incentives for Deserving Teachers

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to strengthen education in Illinois. The new laws support early childhood education funding and make it easier to give incentives for teacher excellence. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to give every child the opportunity for a high-quality education.

"The period from birth to three years of age is the most critical time in a child's development and we must do all we can to give our youngest residents the education they need to succeed in life," Governor Quinn said. "We should also let our top educators know how much we appreciate their efforts, especially when those teachers serve the areas of our state with the greatest need."

House Bill 4440, sponsored by State Representative Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora) and State Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), increases the percentage of Early Childhood Education Block Grant program funds that must be set aside for children ages 0 to 3. The bill raises that percentage from 11 to 14 percent in Fiscal Year 2015, and to 20 percent by Fiscal Year 2016. The block grants are distributed by the State Board of Education. The legislation is effective July 1, 2014.

"There have been numerous studies that have shown the importance of early childhood education for our children," Representative Chapa LaVia said. "This stage is vital to the growth and development of young minds, and we must do all we can to expand funding for these crucial programs. In doing so, we can help put our children on the path towards a brighter future."

House Bill 5393, sponsored by State Representative Emily McAsey (D-Lockport) and State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake), streamlines the requirements to provide a $1,500 annual incentive to teachers who achieve Illinois Master Teacher certification through the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Priority for the incentives will be given to teachers in low-performing schools or those in districts with high poverty rates. The legislation is effective July 1, 2014.

"Teachers are responsible for educating the leaders of tomorrow, so it is important they have the most effective training available," Representative McAsey said. "This program allows highly qualified educators to continue sharpening their skills and provides for greater student achievement."

"Quality teachers are key to student education," Senator Bush said. "This both incentivizes and rewards teachers for getting their Masters' certification."

Governor Quinn is committed to properly funding education in Illinois in order to give every child the opportunity for success. The Governor's 5-year budget blueprint includes a historic $6 billion increase in classroom spending over the next five years, doubling the investment in college scholarships for students in need and increasing access to higher education through dual enrollment and early college programs. Over the next five years, the Governor's plan would bring classroom funding to the highest levels in Illinois history.

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New Law to Provide Secondary Students with Life-Saving Skills in Case of an Emergency

NORMAL - Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill that will require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training for students in all Illinois high schools. The Governor was joined by the Laman and Bell families and the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois at their annual meeting in Normal to sign the measure. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure the safety of people in every community across Illinois.

"It is not often our high school students are faced with the opportunity to save a life," Governor Quinn said. "Should an emergency arise, we want our students ready to step in and take action. This common-sense law will make sure they are better prepared to help their classmates, teachers, family and friends in case of an emergency."

House Bill 3724, sponsored by State Representative Daniel Burke (D-Chicago) and State Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago), requires that all secondary schools in Illinois train students on how to properly administer CPR and how to use an AED. The new law allows students to opt out of the training if their parents submit a written objection. The law will be effective for the 2014-2015 school year.

The bill was recommended by George Laman, whose daughter Lauren collapsed and died at her high school drill team practice in 2008. An AED was available at the school but was not used until the paramedics arrived 13 minutes after the initial emergency call. Because Mr. Laman is a paramedic, he realized there was a need for training in CPR and AED usage in high schools across Illinois.

In January, Eric Bell's heart stopped due to a blockage in one of his arteries. His son Harry was able to correctly perform CPR on his father for twelve minutes until paramedics arrived on the scene. Harry, a junior at Fenwick High School, learned CPR during health class at the Catholic school in Oak Park. Eric believes he would not be alive today if it wasn't for Harry's quick reaction and previous training of CPR.

"We'd like to recognize the bill sponsors for helping make Illinois a safer place to live, and Governor Quinn for his long commitment to public safety in this state," Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois President Pat Devaney said.

"I would like to thank the Laman family for their remarkable efforts and their tireless work for House Bill 3724," Representative Burke said. "The loss of their daughter, Lauren, is what precipitated their efforts. It is important for people to know that this woman's legacy is now law and kids will be trained in these areas and could potentially save thousands of lives in the future."

"There are AEDs in schools now, but people need to know how to use them before they are effective," Senator Mulroe said. "These tools and the CPR and AED training are life-saving measures that our young people will be able to use the rest of their lives."

Since taking office, Governor Quinn has worked to improve public safety by supporting AED and CPR measures and programs. As Lieutenant Governor, in 2006 he announced the Heartsaver AED Fund to provide matching grants for AED purchases for public schools, park districts, conservation districts, forest preserves and public colleges and universities. He has expanded access to AEDs in public places across the state, and signed legislation to provide civil protections for citizens trained in CPR.

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Families Will Have More Time to Utilize Federal Foreclosure Prevention Program

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to protect Illinois homeowners by preventing a lender from selling a home while the homeowner is applying for a federal mortgage assistance program. This legislation is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to protecting Illinois families and helping them fight foreclosure.

"Illinois families must have access to the tools they need to protect their home," Governor Quinn said. "More than one million families have received help through the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network, and we want to make sure even more homeowners can remain home for the holidays and the long term."

Sponsored by State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago) and State Representative Michael J. Zalewski (D-Riverside), Senate Bill 1045 extends a current law that enables families who have applied for a loan modification under the federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) to stop the lender or servicer from selling their home.

In 2009, the Obama Administration worked with financial institutions to create HAMP - which allows qualified homeowners to modify mortgage payments to 31 percent of their income. The program lowers monthly mortgage payments to make them more affordable and sustainable.

The Governor signed a law in 2010 that allows homeowners to move to block a judicial sale when they can prove that they applied for a HAMP modification but the property was sold in violation of the program's terms. Today's action extends Illinois law to match the federal HAMP deadline of Dec. 31, 2015 - providing homeowners with more time to save their home from foreclosure. The new law takes effect immediately.

This law furthers the impact of the Governor's Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN)  ?  a free, one-stop resource to connect homeowners with important tools, including access to counseling services, legal advice, federal mortgage assistance programs, foreclosure prevention events and tips on how to avoid mortgage fraud.

Through the IFPN, families facing financial hardship can access HAMP to apply for a loan modification. In Illinois, approximately 47,000 Illinois families have received permanent loan modifications through HAMP that enable them to stay in their home.

"Governor Quinn understands that linking homeowners with crucial assistance stabilizes communities by preventing foreclosures before they happen," Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Executive Director Mary R. Kenney said. "The median monthly savings for Illinois homeowners in active permanent mortgage modifications under HAMP is about $570 - and now more families statewide can apply for lower monthly payments."

Governor Quinn has been a leader on affordable housing in Illinois and made a historic commitment of $130 million in state capital funds to create more affordable housing opportunities. The Governor has also worked to spur affordable housing homeownership and multifamily rental development by proclaiming 2013 as the Year of Homeownership and launching four new safe and affordable mortgage programs since 2011. Also, affordable housing opportunities have increased. Since 2009, 10,300 working families have been able to purchase a home affordably, and 18,300 affordable rental units were created or preserved. In 2012, IHDA helped more than 2,700 working families access $308 million in capital to purchase a home. This represents an 80 percent increase over production in 2011 and a 770 percent increase over 2010.

Illinois residents who are having trouble paying their mortgage, facing foreclosure or know someone who is should reach out to IFPN as soon as possible by visiting www.keepyourhomeillinois.org or by calling the IFPN hotline at 1-855-KEEP-411.

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New Law Limits Liability for Landowners Who Allow Public Access for Conservation and Outdoor Recreation

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed into law a bill that will increase protections for those who open their land to the public for conservation and recreational opportunities.  Senate Bill 1042 limits liability for landowners who allow the public to freely access their property for activities such as bird watching, biking, hiking, fishing and paddling. This law will bring Illinois in line with other states that offer such liability protection.

"Our state is full of natural treasures and many of those fall on private land," Governor Quinn said. "Increasing landowner protections will boost the confidence of our residents who want to allow public access, but have reservations about their own liability. This new law is a win-win for landowners and outdoor enthusiasts."

Senate Bill 1042, sponsored by State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and State Representative Ann Williams (D-Chicago), specifically extends liability protections for landowners who permit the public to freely access property for recreational or conservation purposes. Currently, liability protections exist only for hunting and recreational shooting sports, which the new law will maintain.

"We should make it easier for generous people to open their lands to the public - not harder. This new law should create opportunities for rock climbers, hikers, kayakers and other outdoors enthusiasts across the state," Senator Harmon said.

"This new law encourages private landowners to provide an important public service to Illinois residents by making it easier for them to offer their land for recreational and conservation use," Representative Williams said. "It strikes a balance between protecting landowners and opening up some of Illinois' most beautiful and significant natural areas for all to enjoy."

Seven years ago, Illinois became the only state to restrict liability protections for landowners who opened their property up to the public free of cost for recreational use. For the past several years, public outdoor recreational opportunities have been diminished on private lands because of rising insurance costs and liability concerns of private landowners. This bill restores these protections to landowners.

"There are some private landowners who simply could not afford to continue to allow public access because of rising liability insurance costs or concerns about litigation," Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller said. "I applaud Governor Quinn once again for supporting our outdoor heritage and conservation, and protecting landowners who support those activities."

Senate Bill 1042 was a high priority for several environmental organizations including Openlands and the Nature Conservancy.

"Openlands worked with its partners for seven years to reinstate protections for generous private landowners who open their land to the public for recreation," Openlands Policy Director Lenore Beyer-Clow said. "We are excited that this law will offer new opportunities for people to connect to nature and enjoy Illinois' beautiful open spaces."

"TNC has always provided the public access to our property and we are pleased that this new law will encourage more land owners to do so by limiting liability. We want the public to come to our sites and enjoy nature," TNC Director of Government Relations Susan Donovan said.

Senate Bill 1042 passed unanimously in the General Assembly. The new law takes effect January 1, 2014.

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New Laws Prevent Anyone Under Age 18 From Using Tanning Beds or Smoking Electronic Cigarettes

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took steps to protect the health of youth across Illinois by signing legislation that prevents anyone under the age of 18 from using tanning beds and electronic cigarettes, an increasingly common cigarette alternative. The Governor was joined by legislators, health professionals, survivors of melanoma and their families, and teens who have recognized the dangers of skin cancer and nicotine addiction. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to protecting and improving the health of the people of Illinois.

"Our young people have their whole lives ahead of them and we want them to be well, grow and thrive in Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "I am signing these new laws today so that our youth and their families can be spared the consequences of very serious and preventable health problems that are caused by dangerous habits formed at a young age. Together these measures will protect the health of Illinois youth and save lives in the long-run."

Sponsored by State Representative Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), House Bill 188 prevents youth under the age of 18 from using tanning beds, which studies have shown can lead to cancer. According to research, people who begin using tanning beds at a young age have a 75 percent higher risk of developing melanoma. Over the past 40 years, the rate of young women with melanoma has grown by 800 percent.

Current law in Illinois allows minors to access tanning beds with parental or guardian consent. The new legislation is designed to respond to increased worldwide awareness of the dangers of melanoma and an understanding of the urgency required in the prevention of skin cancer. HB 188 passed with the strong support of the American Cancer Society and the American Medical Association. The new law takes effect January 1, 2014.

Governor Quinn also signed Senate Bill 1756, sponsored by State Representative Kathleen Willis (D-Addison) and State Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago), which bans anyone under the age of 18 from using electronic cigarettes and other alternative nicotine products. While electronic cigarettes do not contain tobacco, these products do contain nicotine, which is the highly addictive substance that makes smoking difficult to quit once someone begins. Dependence on nicotine is the most common form of chemical dependence, impacting almost 20 percent of all Americans.

"Nicotine has been proven to be a harmful and addictive substance," Senator Mulroe said. "We ban children from purchasing it in all of its other forms.  This law just helps us keep up with the advancements in the ways it is being sold."

The law takes effect January 1, 2014.

For more information on the dangers of skin cancer and melanoma, visit www.cancer.org. For more information on the dangers of nicotine addiction and how to quit, visit www.smokefree.gov.

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Law Creates New Statewide Directory to Forward 9-1-1 Calls

ROMEOVILLE - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to make emergency response systems in Illinois more efficient and effective. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure the safety of all people in every community across Illinois.

"Emergency response depends on the ability of our 9-1-1 centers to take the call," Governor Quinn said. "It is critical for public safety that once our operators get a call, they are able to direct it to the responders who can best help those who are in need."

House Bill 2856, sponsored by State Representative Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) and State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood), requires the development of an Illinois 9-1-1 systems directory so that calls answered by one system can be quickly and easily forwarded to another 9-1-1 system when necessary. This is particularly important for cell phone users, whose calls to 9-1-1 are sometimes answered by an operator in their home area code, rather than where the phone user may be at that moment. The law takes effect January 1, 2014.

Governor Quinn also today signed House Bill 2690, sponsored by State Representative Lawrence Walsh, Jr. (D-Joliet), and State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet), which authorizes fees for Court Appointed Special Advocates in counties where special advocates are used. Court Appointed Special Advocates provide assistance to abused or neglected children who need help navigating the legal system. To provide resources to make this program possible, the law allows counties to charge a fee to people found guilty of felonies and certain other crimes. The law takes effect immediately.

In addition, Governor Quinn signed Senate Bill 1930, sponsored by Senator Bertino-Tarrant and Representative Walsh, which grants the Joliet Park District an additional five years to sell a parcel of its land. Sale of the parcel, located at the corner of Route 59 and West Caton Farm Road will help the park district improve its recreational offerings. The original deadline was December 31, 2013 and is now extended to the end of 2018.

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Governor Signs Bills During Veterans Day at the Illinois State Fair

SPRINGFIELD - In honor of Veterans Day at the Illinois State Fair, Governor Pat Quinn today signed several new laws to support our service members across Illinois. The laws today are designed to address the unique needs of women veterans; increase opportunities for veteran-owned businesses; and protect military memorials. These actions are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to honor, protect and support the men and women who have served our nation.

"Our men and women in uniform deserve our gratitude, and these new laws are a way of saying thanks," Governor Quinn said. "Memorials to our heroes should be treated with dignity and honor, and Illinois must be a state that supports our women veterans and veteran business owners. These laws will strengthen our mission of making Illinois the best state in the nation for our veterans."

"It is very fitting that these bills become the law of the land on Veterans Day at our State Fair," Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Director Erica Borggren said. "We appreciate Governor Quinn's leadership on veteran issues and his support for this community of proven public servants. These bills will help our women veterans and will assist veteran entrepreneurs to access more business opportunities."

The new laws signed today by Governor Quinn include :

House Bill 3346, sponsored by State Representative Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) and State Senator Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry), requires the Illinois Discharged Service Member Task Force to evaluate the needs of women veterans and, as part of its fiscal year 2014 report, make recommendations regarding how to meet those needs. The law goes into effect immediately.

House Bill 2408, sponsored by State Representative Jerry Costello II (D-Belleville) and State Senator Michael Hastings (D-Matteson), allows small businesses owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans to also register as minority, disabled and women owned businesses when applicable. This gives these businesses more opportunity to do business with the state of Illinois. The law goes into effect immediately.

Senate Bill 1824, sponsored by State Senator John M. Sullivan (D-Rushville) and State Representative Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford), requires those who build veteran memorials on public property to raise enough funds to cover the maintenance and preservation of the memorial as well as its construction. The law goes into effect immediately.

Senate Bill 2231, sponsored by State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) and State Senator Natalie Manley (D-Joliet), increases penalties for criminal damage and defacement of veteran and military memorials. The law goes into effect January 1, 2014.

House Bill 3112, sponsored by State Representative Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan) and State Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan), allows the Learn Charter School in North Chicago to set aside 33 percent of its lottery seats for children of military personnel stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Station. This will help the Navy recruit more instructors for the base by offering enhanced educational opportunities for their children. The law goes into effect immediately.

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New Laws Extend Tuition Waivers and Supplement Use of GI Bill Benefits 

SILVIS - Governor Pat Quinn today visited Hero Street in Silvis to sign two new laws that improve educational opportunities for Illinois veterans. The laws extend National Guard tuition waivers and allow students using their GI Bill of Rights benefits to be billed for tuition as in-state students. Today's actions are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to serve those who have served our country.

"The men and women of our National Guard are valuable members of any campus community," Governor Quinn said. "These new laws will put more National Guard members in the classroom and are an easy way for the people of Illinois to say 'thank you.' Here on Hero Street, which has sent more than 100 residents into military service since World War II, and in every community in Illinois, we want to help our veterans and improve their lives."

"The Illinois National Guard grant is a great incentive for our Soldiers and Airmen to remain in the military," Illinois National Guard Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Daniel Krumrei said, "Now our experienced Illinois Guardsmen can earn two more years of education after ten years of service, which will ultimately enhance their value to their community, employer and overall military service."

Under Senate Bill 2229, sponsored by State Senator Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign) and State Representative Deborah Conroy (D-Villa Park), anyone with at least 10 years of service in the Illinois National Guard will be eligible for six years of tuition waivers instead of the current maximum of four years. This recognizes the fact that older service members may take a longer time to complete their studies. The new waiver takes effect in the upcoming 2013-2014 school year.

"By furthering their education, National Guard members can advance their own careers while using the knowledge they've gained to better serve our state," Senator Frerichs said.

First created in 1976, the Illinois National Guard Grant Program is administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. During the 2011-2012 school year, 1,978 National Guard members took advantage of the grant program, with 804 attending a state university and 1,174 attending a community college. Illinois National Guard members should contact their college financial aid office to determine what portion of their total tuition and fees will be covered by the grant.

Governor Quinn today also signed House Bill 2353, which allows students using their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to be billed as in-state students for the purpose of tuition. The benefit only applies state-supported institutions of higher learning in Illinois. The law is effective immediately.

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Signs Bill After Hundreds of Chicago Youth Sign Anti-Violence Pledge; Bipartisan Task Force Charged With Curbing Violence in Illinois Communities

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation creating a task force to combat the epidemic of violence impacting today's youth. As part of the Governor's agenda to improve public safety across Illinois, the Violence Prevention Task Force will work to develop peaceful and productive alternatives to violence and help coordinate community efforts to ensure bright futures for all Illinois youth.

The governor signed the legislation after hundreds of Chicago youth signed an anti-violence pledge at the Will Bynum Basketball Camp, which took place at Chicago State University.

"Violence is a plague on too many Illinois communities," Governor Quinn said. "I want to commend all the youth here today who are raising their voices against violence and taking a stand for keeping our communities safe. This task force will provide a fresh perspective and pursue new strategies that can help end the violence epidemic."

Sponsored by State Representative LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago) and State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), House Bill 2879 creates the Violence Prevention Task Force. Among its duties, the task force is charged with preventing violence by raising awareness of job opportunities for at-risk youth, assisting religious and community groups and organizations whose mission is to curb violence, and coordinating with mental health providers to assure that they are present in communities that need them.

"If we want to reduce violence, we must have the political will to do more than be tough on crime," Representative Ford said. "We must also become a more fair and just society and help meet the needs of every member of our community. This task force will work together with the House Committee on Restorative Justice that I chair to help give people hope and the ability to turn their lives around, which will make our neighborhoods safer."

"Youth violence has devastated our nation as homicide is now the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 15 to 29, and the epidemic is particularly rampant in Chicago," Senator Hunter said. "We must act now because more adolescents are killed in Chicago than any other U.S. city is simply unacceptable. We owe it to our children to do our best to protect them."

The task force will be comprised of six members, with one appointment made by the President of the Senate, one made by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one by the Speaker of the House and one by the Minority Leader of the House, with the remaining two being appointed by the Governor.

The law is effective immediately.

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