Sen. Dave Koehler

Amends the Chicago Park District Act. Makes a technical change in a Section creating the Chicago Park District.

Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act to authorize the Illinois Housing Authority to establish and administer a foreclosure prevention counseling program using moneys in the Foreclosure Prevention Counseling Fund, appropriated for that purpose, to make grants to HUD-certified housing counseling agencies to support pre-purchase and post-purchase home ownership education and foreclosure prevention counseling. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Foreclosure Prevention Counseling Fund from moneys received from the foreclosure prevention surcharge collected under the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987. Provides that 75% of the moneys in this Fund shall be used for housing counseling outside Chicago and 25% of the moneys shall be used for such counseling in Chicago. Amends the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987 to increase the investigation and application fees from $2,700 to $3,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Expands the definition of "veterans service organization" to include organizations that are chartered by the United States Congress or incorporated in the State of Illinois (rather than, organizations that are chartered by the United States Congress and incorporated in the State of Illinois).

Appropriates $45,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services to fund a $0.50-per-hour wage increase for non-executive staff of private-sector agencies serving individuals with developmental disabilities. Effective July 1, 2009.

Appropriates $45,000,000, or so much of that amount as may be necessary, from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services to fund a $0.50-per-hour wage increase for non-executive staff of private-sector agencies serving individuals with developmental disabilities. Effective July 1, 2010.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning persons with disabilities license plates.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Deletes language stating that an insurer making payment of damages on a total loss claim for the theft of a vehicle shall not be required to apply for a salvage certificate unless the vehicle is recovered and has incurred damage that initially would have caused the vehicle to be declared a total loss by the insurer in a provision concerning when junking certificates or salvage certificates must be obtained.

Amends the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act. Provides that schools accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education seeking approval to operate in this State are exempt from the requirements of the Act, but must pay the annual renewal fee and must remit annually a current letter of accreditation status to the State Superintendent of Education. Effective immediately.

Creates the Non-Home Rule Counties Electrical Contractors Licensing Act. Sets forth the findings of the General Assembly. Specifies the powers and duties of the governmental unit. Unless exempt from the Act, provides that no contractor shall perform electrical work unless he or she is licensed according to the Act. Contains provisions concerning the expiration of a license and provides that fees may be imposed for the application, issuance, or renewal of a license. Contains provisions concerning the discipline of a licensee by the office. Provides that certain individuals performing specified tasks are exempt from the Act. Contains provisions requiring a licensee to display his or her license. Contains provisions concerning safety standards. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the executive committee of domestic mutual companies.