Rep. Jim Watson

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning community unit school district or combined school district formation.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal regulations, counties and the Department of Corrections shall cooperate with the Department of Human Services in identifying persons who have been incarcerated and are ineligible for benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program or the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly Food Stamp Program). Provides that this cooperation shall include managing eligibility processing and sharing information sufficient to inform the Department of Human Services, in a manner established by the Department, that a person receiving TANF or SNAP benefits has been detained or incarcerated. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the Procurement Policy Board shall provide written notice of an alleged conflict of interest to the contractor. Provides that the contractor shall have 30 days to provide a written response to the notice and may request a hearing before the Board. Provides that a State contract may be awarded as a sole source procurement unless a vendor requests a public hearing (rather than, a State contract may not be awarded as a sole source procurement unless approved by the chief procurement officer following a public hearing). Provides that a State contract shall include the general type of work to be performed by all known subcontractors (rather than the expected amount of money the subcontractor will receive under the contract). Provides that the chief procurement officer shall verify the status of a business entity's certificate of registration with the State Board of Elections through the Board's website (rather than, a copy of the certificate of registration must accompany any bid or proposal). Provides that, for certain certifications required for State contracts, if a false certification is made by a subcontractor, the contractor's submitted bid and contract may not be declared void, unless the contractor refuses to terminate the subcontract. Makes changes to a provision concerning procurement communications reporting requirements. Effective immediately.

Creates the State Employee Health Savings Account Act. Provides that "eligible individual" has the same meaning as "employee" as that term is defined in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that, beginning in taxable year 2011, each employer shall make available to each eligible individual a health savings account program. Provides that an employer shall deposit $2,750 annually into an eligible individual's health savings account. Unused funds in a health savings account shall become the property of the account holder at the end of a taxable year. Provides that a trustee or custodian must use the funds held in a health savings account solely (i) for the purpose of paying the qualified medical expenses of the eligible individual or his or her dependents, (ii) to purchase a health coverage policy, certificate, or contract or (iii) to pay for health insurance other than a Medicare supplemental policy for those who are Medicare eligible. Makes other changes.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a veteran's surviving spouse is eligible for the disabled veterans' standard homestead exemption if the veteran would have qualified for the benefit but died before October 12, 2007. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that a State agency shall not create or implement a new program, nor make any expenditure or obligation of public funds with respect to a new program, without having a one-time certificate to proceed with that new program issued by the Comptroller. Provides that the Comptroller shall issue a certificate to proceed unless, at the time of the proposed creation, implementation, or expenditure, the State has a significant backlog of overdue bills. Provides for a waiver in the case of emergency. Does not bar recovery by a person, acting in good faith, to whom a State agency has incurred an obligation or liability in violation of the certificate requirement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning in assessment year 2012, the disabled veterans standard homestead exemption shall be granted on a pro-rata basis if the property is first used as a qualified residence after January 1 of the assessment year. Provides that the amount of the pro-rata exemption is the amount of the annual exemption divided by 365 and multiplied by the number of days during the assessment year the property is occupied as a residence by a qualified disabled veteran. Provides that the chief county assessment officer must adopt reasonable procedures to establish eligibility for this pro-rata exemption. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning justification in the use of force against another person in defense of a dwelling.

Amends the Community Services Act. Provides that within 6 months after the closure of a State-operated mental health or developmental disabilities facility and one year after the closure of that facility, the Department of Human Services shall submit a report to the General Assembly that describes: (1) the venue of care for the former residents or persons served by the facility; (2) costs to the Department as a result of new venues of care; (3) cost savings or increases to former residents as a result of the facility closure; and (4) the injuries or deaths to former residents after closure. Effective immediately.