Rep. Bob Biggins

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Deletes language that provides that no construction shall commence on any new nuclear power plant to be located within the State, and no certificate of public convenience and necessity or other authorization shall be issued therefor by the Illinois Commerce Commission, until the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency finds that the United States Government, through its authorized agency, has identified and approved a demonstrable technology or means for the disposal of high level nuclear waste, or until such construction has been specifically approved by a statute enacted by the General Assembly. Deletes the definition of "high level nuclear waste". Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. In provisions concerning elections, sets forth the procedure for placing specified candidates on the ballot for the general municipal election. Provides that if one officer is to be elected, then the 2 candidates who receive the highest number of votes shall be placed on the ballot for the next succeeding general municipal election. If 2 aldermen are to be elected at large, then the 4 candidates who receive the highest number of votes shall be placed on the ballot. If 3 aldermen are to be elected at large, then the 6 candidates who receive the highest number of votes shall be placed on the ballot. Provides that the name of a write-in candidate may not be placed on the ballot for the general municipal election unless he or she (i) receives a number of votes in the primary election that equals or exceeds the number of signatures required on a petition for nomination for that office or (ii) receives a number of votes in the primary election that exceeds the number of votes received by at least one of the candidates whose names were printed on the primary ballot for nomination for or election to the same office. Effective immediately.

Amends the High Risk Home Loan Act. Provides that "high risk home loan" does not include a loan for reverse mortgage financing of residential real estate, including under programs regulated by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

Amends the High Risk Home Loan Act. Provides that the term "points and fees" does not include fees paid to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs required by law, fees paid to the Federal Housing Administration required by law, or fees paid to the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Loan Program required by law.

Amends the Department of Public Aid Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the State Finance Act. Creates the Hunger Relief Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that, from appropriations to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services from the Fund, the Department shall make grants to members of the Illinois Food Bank Association for the purpose of making capital improvements, purchasing food, or acquiring other assets. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if the property owner gave notice of an omitted assessment, then (i) the property may not be assessed as omitted property for more than 5 years prior to the current assessment year and (ii) a charge for tax and interest for previous years shall not be made against the property for more than 5 years prior to the current assessment year. Requires the assessor to give notice of the assessment of omitted properties by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. Provides that the notice must include the time period for requesting review of the assessment. Effective January 1, 2011.

Amends the Illinois Local Library Act. Requires the corporate authorities of an incorporated town, village, or township to levy taxes sufficient to pay the costs incurred by the library for payments under the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the moneys collected for those purposes shall be transferred to the library within 30 days after receipt by the corporate authorities. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 in relation to child pornography. Provides that the commission of the offense by filming or videotaping or creating a moving image or possession of such films, videotapes, or moving images is a felony one class higher than photographing or possessing photographs of child pornography. Provides that telecommunications carriers, commercial mobile service providers, and providers of information services, including, but not limited to, Internet service providers and hosting service providers, are not liable under the child pornography statute, except for willful and wanton misconduct, by virtue of the transmission, storage, or caching of electronic communications or messages of others or by virtue of the provision of other related telecommunications, commercial mobile services, or information services used by others in violation of the child pornography statute.

Authorizes the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to expand the Illinois toll highway system to include a bypass to O'Hare International Airport (commonly known as Western Access) to be constructed generally along the western edge of the O'Hare International Airport between I-90 (Northwest/Jane Addams Tollway) and I-294 (Tri-State Tollway), with the extension to be constructed in a generally east-west direction between west of I-290 (near Roselle Road) at the west and the Bypass at the east (commonly known as the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway).

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and Clerks of the Court Act. Increases the amount of an administrative sanction imposed in addition to other penalties and liabilities upon a person who is found guilty of or pleads guilty to violating the DUI provision of the Illinois Vehicle Code from $500 to $750. Makes corresponding changes in the Clerks of the Court Act. Makes technical changes in provisions concerning disbursement of money collected by circuit clerks of the court. Effective January 1, 2011.