26 Jul 2011

Grassley Week Ahead

By Grassley Press

Following is Senator Grassley's schedule this week in Washington, D.C.  The Senate is in session.   

  • Grassley will meet in Washington with Iowans from the American Trucking Association, the Appraisal Institute, Boys Nation/Girls Nation, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, the Iowa FFA, the Iowa Turkey Federation, Land O'Lakes, Missouri River Emergency Services, the Presidential Academy for the Teaching of American History and Civics, and the Professional Landcare Network.

Grassley will also meet with Iowans from Ankeny, Des Moines, Dike, Grimes, Grinnell, Indianola, Lawton, Marion, Mason City, North Liberty, Polk City, Robins, Van Meter, and West Des Moines.

Grassley will meet with a young Iowan from Gladbrook who is interning for the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service.  Grassley will also meet with Luther College students.

  • On Tuesday, July 26, at 9:00 a.m. (CT), Grassley will attend a Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration hearing entitled "The Economic Imperative for Enacting Immigration Reform."  Grassley will discuss the impact that fraud and abuse in the H-1B and L-1 visa programs have on Americans seeking employment.
  • On Wednesday, July 27, at 9:00 a.m. (CT), Grassley will attend a Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, "Fulfilling our Treaty Obligations and Protecting Americans Abroad."
  • On Wednesday, July 27, at 9:00 a.m. (CT), there is a Finance Committee hearing entitled, "CEO Perspectives on How the Tax Code Affects Hiring, Businesses and Economic Growth." 
  • On Thursday, July 28, at 9:00 a.m. (CT), Grassley will attend a Judiciary Committee executive business meeting.  Grassley's legislation to ban the chemicals used to make K2, permanently and nationwide, is expected to be considered.  The legislation is called the David Mitchell Rozga Act, named after a young Iowan who lost his life last summer after using K2 purchased at a shopping mall in Des Moines.
  • On Thursday, July 28, at 9:00 a.m. (CT), there is a Finance Committee hearing on the nominations of: Janice Eberly, of Washington, DC, to be Assistant Secretary of Treasury; and Juan F. Vasquez, of Texas, to be Judge of the United States Tax Court for a term of fifteen years.
  • On Thursday, July 28, at 1:15 p.m. (CT), Grassley will meet with Gen. McMahon of the Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division to continue discussing the Missouri River floods and ways to improve the Missouri River Master Manual.

-30-

26 Jul 2011

IRS lifts innocent spouse time limit

By Grassley Press

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on the Internal Revenue Service's announcement that it has eliminated the two-year limit for filing innocent spouse claims.  The innocent spouse provision helps to protect the spouses of tax evaders who didn't join in or didn't know about the tax cheating.  Grassley is a senior member and former ranking member and chairman of the Finance Committee, with jurisdiction over tax policy.  Grassley was a member of the National Commission on Restructuring the IRS, which laid the groundwork for the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998.

 

"Those of us behind the IRS overhaul enacted in 1998 never intended to put a deadline on innocent spouses.  We were trying to help innocent spouses as a matter of fairness.  These taxpayers never should have been put in the position they were put in by the IRS.  It's very good news that the agency has seen the light regarding congressional intent and innocent spouses deserving relief."

26 Jul 2011

Living Lands & Waters Needs Skilled Volunteers

By Natalie Linville-Mass

Davenport, IA /July 25, 2011 - Living Lands and Waters (LL&W) is in the process of building a new floating classroom and they need some help to finish their work on this project in time for the upcoming school year.  So, on Wednesday, August 3rd they'll be shipping out of Alton, IL in order to get to the Quad Cities in time for the upcoming Annual Barge Party on Thursday, August 11th.  During this voyage, they'd like to bring any skilled carpenters, plumbers, HVAC, electricians to help with the final pieces of this build out.  Volunteers on this trip will be provided with lodging, food and transportation and the chance to experience the Mississippi from a truly unique vantage point.  "We really appreciate all the help we've gotten to this point and felt we could give our volunteers a unique and fun experience by joining our crew for a week on our trip north," said LL&W founder Chad Pregracke.      

Several area union carpenters and skilled tradesmen are currently volunteering their time around the clock to get this classroom barge to the point where it is now.  There's just a tremendous amount of work to make this dream a reality.  The 150-foot long barge will feature a handicapped-accessible classroom, which can host up to 60 students at a time, as well as sleeping quarters for an 8 person Living Lands and Waters crew.  Carpenters District Council of St. Louis and Local Electric Union 57, Local Union 4 Quad City area carpenters have already donated well over $100,000 in lab or to this project." "It's a good project. It's a unique project with a lot of educational potential that will hopefully live on forever.  It's great that they're using so many recycled materials where ever possible.  The handrails are skeletal plates from John Deere, reused barge joints have been reconfigured for this project and the pine ceiling is from reclaimed wood that otherwise would have been destroyed", says Roger Mouser, project manager and part of the Carpenter's Union out of St. Louis.   

If you're interested in volunteering for this project, please contact Ashley at our office at (309) 496-9848 or email her at Ashley@livinglandsandwaters.org.  "We are excited to bring students out here and physically show them how much trash there really is and also teach them about the many job opp or tunities that most people aren't aware of on the river", says Ashley Stover, LL&W Crew Member and Programs Coordinator.

Teachers interested in exploring a workshop for their students should contact Tammy Becker at LL&W:  tammy@livinglandsandwaters.com or 309-496-9848. "We have had over 1,600 teachers in our Educational Workshops dating back to 2003.  This will create an opportunity for thousands of students to experience the river first hand" said LL&W founder Chad Pregracke.   The floating classroom was made possible by the generous support of five of LL&W's long-term partners:  Cargill, ADM, Caterpillar, AEP River Operations and Ingram Barge Company.  

Chad Pregracke started Living Lands & Waters in 1998 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the beautification and restoration of America's major rivers and to the education of people about environmental issues. From his single boat beginning, LL&W has grown to an internationally known organization with a fleet of barges and workboats.  LL&W engages thousands of volunteers each year in river cleanups, hands-on environmental education workshops, the Great Mississippi River Cleanup, Adopt-a- River-Mile programs and the Million Trees Project. 

###

26 Jul 2011

Braley Statement on the Passing of Chuck Manatt

By Kira Ayish

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement on the passing of Chuck Manatt:

"Chuck Manatt was a great man, a great Iowan and a great American. Today, my thoughts are with his family and the many friends he leaves behind. His imprint on American politics and the lives of everyone he touched will never be forgotten."

###

26 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Boost State's Nuclear Safety Program

By Andrew Mason

Investment Will Keep Illinois on the Cutting Edge of Nuclear Safety

SPRINGFIELD - July 23, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the signing of legislation that will bolster Illinois' world-class nuclear safety program. The new law increases fees paid by Exelon to fund upgrades to remote monitoring systems at each reactor site, hire additional nuclear safety experts and update vital nuclear safety equipment.

" Illinois continues to be a national leader in nuclear safety," said Governor Quinn. "After reviewing Illinois' nuclear safety programs, we have identified needs for updated equipment, as well as increased personnel in several key areas. This investment will further strengthen that program, and ensure Illinois continues to lead the nation with the best nuclear safety program."

Governor Quinn proposed and led passage of House Bill 1723, which was sponsored by Rep. Thomas Holbrook (D-Belleville) and Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), to ensure the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) has adequate resources to operate the state's nationally-recognized nuclear safety program. Eleven nuclear reactors currently operate in six locations in Illinois. The new law increases fees paid by Exelon, which operates all 11 reactors, to support upgrades to IEMA's Remote Monitoring System (RMS) and specialized response equipment, and increases the agency's staff of nuclear safety experts.

Illinois' annual per-reactor fee has been $1.75 million since 2003. House Bill 1723 increases that fee to $1.9 million per reactor, providing an additional $1.6 million annually to support Illinois' nuclear safety programs, with no additional consumer costs attached to the legislation. The new funds will enable IEMA to fill approximately 12 staff positions, including nuclear safety scientists, health physicists, computer experts and lab assistants.

The legislation also includes a one-time capital infrastructure fee of $3.6 million to be paid over three years for a major upgrade of the computer system that supports Illinois' unique RMS and other essential safety equipment. The RMS collects critical data from inside and around each reactor plant and transmits that information to IEMA's Radiological Emergency Assessment Center in Springfield. During an incident at a nuclear plant, the information would be analyzed by IEMA's reactor and environmental analysts in order to develop action recommendations to protect the public.

"This investment will enable us to modernize technology and critical components of our Remote Monitoring System, which will ensure that we continue to receive the independent, real-time information that is essential for protecting public safety and the environment," said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken.

More information about the RMS and IEMA's other nuclear power plant monitoring and emergency response programs is available on IEMA's website at www.iema.illinois.gov.

###

22 Jul 2011

Senate Approves Bill to Stop Abuse of Government Charge Cards by Federal Employees

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate this afternoon passed legislation sponsored by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Senator Susan Collins of Maine to require federal agencies to put new safeguards and controls on government charge cards used by federal employees.  The bill also would require penalties for violations.

The Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act, S.300, was approved in April by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.  Lieberman is the Committee Chairman, and Collins serves as Ranking Member.

"This bill is about accountability," Grassley said.  "The public trust has been violated by abusive use of government charge cards.  The federal bureaucracy needs to improve the way it manages the use of these cards."

"This legislation would impose common sense controls on the users of government charge cards, which allow federal workers to purchase goods and travel in a timely and cost-efficient manner. In any economy, but especially the one we are now in, there is no room for waste, much less fraud or abuse. These safeguards will make all users of federal charge cards accountable for their use," Lieberman said.

"This bill would require agencies to ensure that purchase and travel cards are used only for approved spending to take action for misuse of cards.  While purchase and travel cards have been important tools in meeting the government's procurement needs in a timely and cost-efficient manner, their use often has been subject to some malfeasance and inappropriate purchases by individual card holders.  American taxpayers get the bill for these federal credit cards and they deserve complete assurance that their money is going to legitimate business purposes," Collins said.

The senators' effort to codify new controls and penalties responds to outrageous accounts of purchases made with government charge cards, as well as independent analysis which found inadequate and inconsistent controls within government agencies.  At issue are purchase cards, which are used by authorized federal employees for small-scale items needed for official business, such as office supplies, as well as travel cards, which are issued to federal employees to pay for official travel expenses.  When purchase cards are misused, taxpayer money is wasted.  When travel cards are misused and the bills aren't paid, the government risks losing millions of dollars in rebates.

Grassley has put the spotlight on problematic use of these cards for the last decade, first at the Department of Defense and then also at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Forest Service, the Federal Aviation Administration, and elsewhere.

Over the years, the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office has documented fraudulent, questionable and overly expensive purchases made by federal workers with government purchase and travel cards, including kitchen appliances, jewelry, gambling, cruises, and even the tab at gentlemen's clubs and legalized brothels.

Below is a summary of the reform legislation.  The Senate previously passed the measure, in 2009, but it was never taken up by the House of Representatives.

Summary of the Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act  

The bill would require all federal agencies to establish certain safeguards and internal controls for government charge card programs, and to establish penalties for violations, including dismissal when circumstances warrant.  The bill would also increase oversight by providing that each agency Inspector General periodically conduct risk assessments and audits to identify fraud and improper use of government charge cards. These reforms are based on the experience of Senator Grassley and other members of Congress, the GAO, and agency Inspectors General in investigating the weaknesses in agency policies and procedures that have lead to instances of waste, fraud, and abuse in government charge card programs.  

The required safeguards and internal controls include :  

  •  ·          performing credit checks for travel card holders and issuing restricted cards for those with poor or no credit to reduce the potential for misuse  
  •  ·          maintaining a record of each cardholder, including single transaction limits and total transaction limits so agencies can effectively manage their cardholders  
  •  ·          implementing periodic reviews to determine if cardholders have a need for a card  
  •  ·          properly recording rebates to the government based on prompt payment, sales volume, etc.  
  •  ·          providing training for cardholders and managers  
  •  ·          utilizing effective systems, techniques, and technologies to prevent or catch fraudulent purchases  
  •  ·          establishing specific policies about the number of cards to be issued, the credit limits for certain categories of cardholders, and categories of employees eligible to be issued cards  
  •  ·          invalidating cards when employees leave the agency or transfer  
  •  ·         establishing an approving official other than the purchase card holder so employees cannot approve their own purchases
  • ·         reconciling purchase card charges on the bill with receipts and supporting documentation
  • ·         reconciling disputed purchase card charges and discrepancies with the bank according to the proper procedure
  • ·         making purchase card payments promptly to avoid interest penalties
  • ·         retaining records of purchase card transactions in accordance with standard government record keeping polices
  • ·         utilizing direct payments to the bank when reimbursing employees for travel card purchases to ensure that travel card bills get paid
  • ·         comparing items submitted on travel vouchers with items already paid for with centrally billed accounts to avoid reimbursing employees for items already paid for by the agency
  • ·         submitting refund requests for unused airline tickets so the taxpayers don't pay for tickets that were not used
  • ·         disputing unauthorized charges and tracking the status of disputed charges to proper resolution

-30-

22 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Announces New Laws to Strengthen Efforts to Prevent Substance Abuse in Illinois

By Laurel White

New Laws Will Crack Down on "Bath Salt" Abuse, Improve Regulation  

of Controlled Substances and Update Drug Control Policies  

CHICAGO - July 22, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn announced four new laws that will strengthen drug prevention efforts in Illinois. The bills crack down on drug abuse by attacking the growing problem of bath salt consumption, expanding the definition of drug-induced homicide, and adding additional compounds and synthetic substances to the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.  

Among the bills signed were House Bills 3042 and 2089, which add chemical compounds for specific cathinone derivatives, commonly known as "bath salts," including methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), to the list of Schedule I controlled substances. Since last year, the American Association of Poison Control Centers has reported a six-fold increase in calls related to the consumption of bath salts, which produces severe hallucinations, paranoia and psychotic episodes when consumed. Previously, "bath salts" were unregulated and legal, in part due to their labeling as unfit for human consumption.  

"We want to make sure our drug policies are aggressive, current and responsive," Governor Quinn said. "These new laws bring Illinois to the cutting-edge of enforcement policies and advance our efforts to make Illinois a safe, productive and drug-free state."  

House Bill 3042 was sponsored by Rep. Robert Pritchard (R-Sycamore) and Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), and House Bill 2089 was sponsored by Rep. Wayne Rosenthal (R-Litchfield) and Sen. Sam McCann (R-Carlinville). Both bills passed the General Assembly unanimously.  

Governor Quinn today also announced the signing of House Bill 21, which expands the definition of a drug-induced homicide to include the absorption of a controlled substance. Sponsored by Rep. Jim Sacia (R-Freeport) and Sen. Tim Bivins (R-Dixon), the bill aims to close a loophole in state law to prevent the abuse of prescription pain-killing fentanyl patches.  Absorption abuse of the patches occurs when an individual cuts a transdermal fentanyl patch into halves and applies it to their skin.  

Under current law, a drug-induced homicide is defined as a crime committed by an individual who unlawfully delivers an illegal drug to someone whose death is caused by the injection, inhalation or ingestion of that substance. House Bill 21 adds absorption of the substance to the statute. The State Line Area Narcotics Team (SLANT) strongly supported and advocated for the legislation.  

Also signed into law was House Bill 2595, which cracks down on drug abuse. Sponsored by Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst) and Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), the new law adds certain synthetic equivalents of cannabis to the Illinois Controlled Substances Act as Schedule I controlled substances. These equivalents include "Spice" or "K2" and nine chemical compounds considered synthetic cannabinoids.  

House Bill 2595 takes effect Jan. 1, and House Bills 3042, 2089 and 21 go into effect immediately.  

###  

22 Jul 2011

Q&A: SAVE Child Support Act

By Grassley Press

Q:        What role does the federal government have in making sure parents meet child support obligations? 

A:        The states enforce child support laws.  Since 1975, the federal government has provided funds directly to states to supplement their enforcement efforts and, more recently, to help protect relationships with non-custodial parents.  State family courts determine the amount of child support that noncustodial parents must pay and visitation rights.  Collecting child support can be a problematic and lengthy process.  In fiscal 2010, only 62 percent of child support obligations were collected.  Some noncustodial parents encounter difficulty in exercising their visitation rights.  That's not right, and I want to make sure these court-determined parental rights are honored.

Because federal tax dollars are involved in enforcement and uncollected child support can lead to more people relying on federal welfare benefits, I've introduced bipartisan legislation that would give states support and flexibility to help make sure custodial parents receive court-ordered payments.  The bill I sponsored with Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey also would help to make sure that noncustodial parents retain court-approved access to their children.  This bill does not change the court processes or decisions in determining who owes what but simply provides additional tools for states to recover money that family courts have already determined is owed.  Budgets are tight for individuals, families, states and the federal government.  Receipt of child support payments can help families remain independent and off government assistance. 

Q:        How does your bill - the Strengthen and Vitalize Enforcement, or SAVE, Child Support Act - help states ensure that custodial parents receive support payments and noncustodial parents retain access to their children? 

A:        Our bill gives states access to a child support lien registry so that liens placed against property because of overdue child support can be easily found regardless of state residency.  It strengthens the procedures by which passports and certain licenses and permits can be revoked by requiring greater coordination between child support agencies and license-issuing agencies, and it stipulates that a passport can be restored only after complete repayment of arrears.  The bill also makes it easier for states to intercept payments made to individuals in order to satisfy child support orders by requiring automated data matches with state child support agencies.  And, it encourages state child support agencies to coordinate with state correction agencies to assist individuals with a support order to manage and fulfill their obligations. 

This bill cuts down on the deceptive and harassing collection practices that some noncustodial parents have endured by making private child support collection companies subject to regulation and enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission.  And, it would help noncustodial parents exercise their court-approved visitation rights by requiring state child support agencies to report information to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on how the state's child support enforcement plan facilitates access to and visitation of children by noncustodial parents.

Q:        Why is this bill necessary?

A:        There is a backlog of more than $100 billion in owed child support.  Without the support of the noncustodial parent, many children will enter poverty or become dependent on state and federal government assistance.  Passage of the SAVE Child Support Act could help many families stay independent, thereby saving the taxpayers money.  During this time of record debt and deficits, we can protect scarce federal resources by helping to make sure parents are meeting their court-mandated obligations.

Friday, July 22, 2011

22 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Friday, July 22, 2011**

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO - July 22, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:  

   

Bill No.: HB 711  

Amends license requirements for out-of-state pyrotechnic operators and companies.  

An Act Concerning: Regulation  

Action: Signed                           

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 785  

Allows any adult under guardianship to request and receive counseling services or psychotherapy, and that the consent of the guardian will not be necessary to authorize counseling or psychotherapy.  

An Act Concerning: Health  

Action: Signed                           

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 1152  

Requires the Department of Human Services to designate essential community behavioral health care providers to improve access to care for individuals suffering from mental illness, substance abuse and other behavioral disorders. 

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1192

Permits liquor to be sold, served or delivered during functions held at Department of Natural Resources' buildings and facilities with a liquor license and the approval of the director.

An Act Concerning: Liquor

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1394

Extends and amends the Detection of Deception Examiners Act.

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1425

Creates the Electronic Health Record Incentive Fund to reimburse eligible providers who participate in the development of Electronic Health Record technology.

An Act Concerning: Public Aid

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1494

Amends classification of ocular pharmaceutical agents and the process for approving new agents.

An Act Concerning: Professional Regulation

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1562

Requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to link to the Hospital Report Card from its website, and to have a description of the information available in this document and the Consumer Guide to Healthcare.

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 1656

Creates a feasibility study to look at the potential of centralizing administrative intake functions for medical assistance applications.

An Act Concerning: Public Aid

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1662

Requires the state to study the feasibility of converting the Medicaid program from a 209(b) determination of eligibility state to a Section 1634 determination state by Jan. 1, 2012.

An Act Concerning: Public Aid

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1709

Allows the Joint Labor and Management Committee to charge fees in order to recover costs associated with its classes and programming.

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 2581

Payment of the failure to appear fee shall be a condition of release unless otherwise ordered by the court.  

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 3314

Allows the Central Illinois Economic Development Authority to create employment advisory boards.

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 154

This bill officially designates a parcel of land in southeastern Vermillion County as the Harry "Babe" Woodyard State Natural Area.

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: SB 168

This bill adds three new members to the Mississippi River Coordinating Council and directs it to absorb the duties of the Mississippi River Parkway Council.

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1248

This bill permits physicians to use an electronic signature to sign off on a physician's order or plan of treatment for a resident of a nursing home.

An Act Concerning: Health Facilities

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: SB 1282

Permits the inclusion of patient personal information in data submitted by hospitals and ambulatory surgical treatment centers, allowing the Illinois Department of Public Health to examine health care quality across the state.

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: SB 1350

Exempts dentists from the Truth in Health Care Professional Services Act.

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1352

Extends the Capital Development Board's single prime pilot program and allows for more money to be devoted to single prime projects.

An Act Concerning: Finance

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1372

Creates the Good Samaritan Medical Equipment Donor Act to provide civil immunity for persons who donate medical equipment or supplies to veterinarian schools.

An Act Concerning: Civil Law

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: SB 1554

Exempts process servers from criminal trespass to real property provisions.

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: SB 1585

Expands the list of health care professionals authorized to verify that a person with a mental or physical disability is able to operate a motor vehicle.

An Act Concerning: Transportation

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1612

Allows the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to place a lien on the assets of an individual with overdue child support without obtaining a court order, and provides the department authorization to restrict passports of any individual who owes at least $2,500 in past-due support.

An Act Concerning: Public Aid

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1670

This bill gives city and park district museums around the state the option of limiting free days to Illinois residents.

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1712

Excludes taxes levied by flood prevention districts from the definition of "local sales taxes" in STAR bond districts.

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1950

Increases the penalty for false reporting under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to a Class 4 felony.

An Act Concerning: Children

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1952

Repeals the Labor Arbitration Services Act. 

An Act Concerning: Employment

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

###

 

22 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Announces New Laws to Fight Crime and Protect Illinois Residents

By Laurel White

Legislation Increases Protections Against Violent and Sex Crimes,  

Tackles Gang Violence and Protects First Responders  

CHICAGO - July 21, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced a package of new laws to fight crime and protect residents across Illinois. The new laws will increase public safety by stopping anyone convicted of a sex crime from working in healthcare in Illinois, protecting law enforcement officers and those who tip off police to violent crimes, preventing anyone convicted of domestic battery from owning a gun, and ensuring that anyone convicted of first degree murder registers with the state upon their release from prison.  

"We must stand up strong against the violence and crime that destroys communities," Governor Quinn said. "Whether they are at the doctor's office or in the streets of their own neighborhood, families and citizens should feel safe and protected. These new laws will help make Illinois safer and more peaceful place to live."   

Among the 11 bills signed into law to increase public safety was House Bill 1271, which prevents anyone who is required to register as a sex offender or has been convicted of a criminal offense from receiving a health care worker license in Illinois. The new law also revokes licenses from any healthcare worker convicted of a sexual criminal act, criminal battery against a patient or any other forcible felony. Sponsored by Rep. Will Burns (D-Chicago) and Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), the new law takes effect in 30 days.  

Governor Quinn also announced new laws to fight gang violence and protect first responders in the line of duty. Sponsored by Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) and Rep. Constance Howard (D-Chicago), Senate Bill 1739 aims to help break the code of silence by making it an offense to intimidate a citizen who reports information about a forcible felony to a law enforcement agency. Too often, individuals do not come forward with information about crime because of fear of gang intimidation and retaliation. This new law, effective Jan. 1, will help protect citizens who come forward and encourage them to share information and cooperate with law enforcement.  

Sponsored by Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) and Sen. John Mulroe (D-Chicago), House Bill 3390 makes the aggravated assault of a peace officer with a gun a non-probationable offense. Currently, offenders may be sentenced to only probation, periodic imprisonment or even conditional discharge. The law takes effect immediately.  

House Bill 3365 stops anyone convicted of domestic battery or aggravated domestic battery from obtaining a FOID (Firearm Owner's Identification) card.  Sponsored by Rep. Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park) and Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago), the new law ensures that domestic offenders in Illinois will not be able to own a gun. It takes effect Jan. 1.  

Governor Quinn today also announced the signing of House Bill 263, also known as Andrea's Law. Sponsored by Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst) and Sen. John Millner (R-Carol Stream), this law requires individuals convicted of first degree murders to register in a state database for 10 years upon their release from prison. The law takes effect Jan. 1 and will help protect families from potentially dangerous offenders.  

   

Additional bills signed to increase public safety in Illinois include :  

   

House Bill 167 - Sponsored by Rep. Dave Winters (R-Shirland) and Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge), this law makes it a criminal offense to point a laser at the cockpit of an aircraft.  

  

House Bill 295 - Sponsored by Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) and Sen. Edward D. Maloney (D-Chicago), this new law requires sex offenders to also register with the public safety director of the college where they attend or are employed.  

   

House Bill 3283 - Sponsored by Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) and Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), the new law toughens penalties for child pornography by ensuring that a child pornography offense involving moving images is one felony one class higher than one involving still images.  

  

Senate Bill 1038 - Sponsored by Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) and Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago), this law requires a person convicted of criminal child luring to undergo a sex offender evaluation and increases the severity of the penalty if the person has a prior sex conviction.  

   

Senate Bill 1708 - Sponsored by Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) and Rep. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston), this law requires any individual convicted of a hate crime to enroll in an educational program discouraging hate crimes.  

Senate Bill 2151 - Sponsored by Sen. John Millner (R-Carol Stream) and Rep. Jim Sacia (R-Pecatonica), this new law requires the Juvenile Justice Commission to study and make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly to ensure the effective treatment and supervision of juvenile offenders who are found guilty of a sex offense.  

   

These new laws go into effect Jan. 1.  

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