Sen. Dave Koehler

Mourns the death of Richard Smith "Dick" Applegate of Peoria.

Mourns the death of Dorothy Boyd Sinclair of Peoria.

Mourns the death of Edmond Landes Jr. of Peoria.

Mourns the death of Betty Carol Menson of Creve Coeur.

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 School Code and the School Construction Law. In a Section concerning a school board's power to levy a tax or borrow money and issue bonds for fire prevention, safety, energy conservation, disabled accessibility, school security, and specified repair purposes, makes changes concerning a school district's authority to replace a school building or build additions to replace portions of a building. With respect to one of the exceptions to a school district's debt limitation, allows additional indebtedness by the execution of a lease with a public building commission; makes related changes. Removes references that limit provisions to just the Chicago school district with respect to (i) the prohibition on the State Board of Education and the Capital Development Board establishing standards that disapprove or otherwise establishing limitations that restrict the eligibility of a school district for a school construction project grant based on certain facts (including based on the fact that all or a part of the school construction project is owned by a public building commission and leased to the school) and (ii) the authority of a school district to use school construction project grants for certain purposes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to operate as a debt settlement provider or engage in debt settlement service except as authorized by the Act and without first having obtained a license under the Act. Contains provisions concerning the (1) application for a license, (2) qualifications for licensure, (3) renewal of a license, (4) display requirements for a license, (5) temporary licensed locations, (6) denial of a license, (7) revocation or suspension of a license, (8) maintenance of records by a licensee, (9) examination of a licensee, (10) maintenance of trust funds by a licensee, and (11) other licensee businesses. With respect to the Director of Financial Institutions, contains provisions concerning the (1) adoption of rules by the Director, (2) penalties for violations of the Act, (3) procedure the Director may take to obtain an injunction, (4) review of decisions, (5) issuance of cease and desist orders. Contains provisions concerning (1) advertising practices, (2) individualized financial analysis, (3) required disclosures, (4) debt settlement contracts, (5) fees, (6) consumer settlement accounts, (7) cancellation of contracts, (8) obligations of good faith, (9) prohibited practices and noncompliance with the Act, and (10) civil remedies. Amends the Debt Management Service Act to exclude "debt settlement service" and attorneys engaged in specific practices from the Act. Amends the State Finance Act to provide that moneys collected under the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act shall be deposited into the Financial Institution Fund. Contains a severability clause. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to specify that a violation of the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act is a violation of the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "railroad track equipment" as all vehicles operated upon rails for the purpose of the maintenance of railroads including, but not limited to, all hi-rail vehicles and on-track roadway maintenance machines. In provisions concerning approaching trains, provides that approaching railroad track equipment shall be treated the same as approaching trains.

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Redefines "public employee" to include peace officers employed by school districts. Redefines "public employer" to include school districts in their employment of peace officers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the MR/DD Community Care Act as Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled or Long Term Care for Under Age 22 facilities, the payment rates established by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services that take effect on July 1, 2010 shall include an increase sufficient to provide a $0.50 per-hour wage increase for non-executive staff. Effective immediately.