HB 1224 - Firefighters' Background Checks
Mandates criminal background checks of firefighters by ISP at the request of the chief of a fire department. P.A. 91-371; effective 1-1-2000.

HB 2176 - Charitable Organization Registration
The bill amends the Solicitation for Charity Act to provide that a circuit court may (instead of shall) impose a civil penalty upon an organization that has failed to file a registration statement with the Office of the Attorney General. Provide that the governing board of certain parent-teacher organizations shall certify to the Attorney General, if the Attorney General makes a request for certification (instead of making an annual certification), that the organization has made a full accounting to the school and has provided benefits and contributions to the school. Remove the criminal penalties for violation of certain provisions relating to professional fund-raising activities makes other changes to this Act. P.A. 91-444; effective 8-6-99.

SB 52 - TIFS / Townships Retiring Bonds
The bill amends the Property Tax Code and the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the tax proceeds of a levy by a township to retire bonds issued to satisfy court-ordered damages are not subject to the deduction imposed for tax-increment financing. P.A. 91-190; effective 7-20-99.

SB 387 - High School Seniors Election Judges
Allows election authorities to establish a program in which high school seniors can serve as election judges. Provides that applicants for such program must meet certain criteria such as a minimum GPA and have the permission of a parent and the high school principal. Also provides that a student participating in such program shall not be counted absent from school. P.A. 91-352; effective 1-1-2000.

SB 475 - Township Treasurer & Trustee Waivers
The bill precludes school districts in Cook County from requesting a waiver from being affiliated with a township school treasurer or trustee. P.A. 91-269; effective 7-23-99.

SB 656 - Liquor License Near Schools
The bill allows a liquor license to be located within 76 to 100 feet of a school if certain prerequisites and conditions are met. (Currently, no liquor license can be located within 100 feet of a school). P.A. 91-623; effective 1-1-2000.

SB 820 - Board Members on Municipal Boards
Amends the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act to provide that in a municipality with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants, a municipal board member may also hold certain education offices. P.A. 91-161; effective 7-16-99.

SB 932 - Bond Issue Notification
The bill amends the Bond Issue Notification Act to provide that the governing body or presiding officer shall set the date, time, and location of the bond issue hearing. It provides that notice shall be published not more than 30 days (now 21 days) before the hearing, and that notice shall be posted at the governing body's principal office or hearing building. The bill also deletes the prohibition against placing the notice in the legal notice or classified section of a newspaper. P.A. 91-595; effective 8-14-99.

SB 933 - Public Question Notice
The bill amends the election code to set forth new, mandatory publication, posting, and notice requirements for public questions. The bill also amends the School Code to provide that these above requirements do not apply to bond referendums held before July 1, 1999. P.A. 91-57; effective 6-30-99.

SB 941 - Tort Immunity Fund Uses
The bill amends the Local Government and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act to clarify the proper use of the tort fund. The bill adds a preamble before the tax levy section stating that some local governments may have been misusing the tort fund and that the provisions of the tax levy section shall be "strictly construed." It also requires disclosure of tort fund expenditures in the annual audit or financial report. It further states that some units of local government are using the tax revenue to fund expenses more properly paid from general operating funds and that these uses of the revenue are inconsistent with the limited purpose of the tax authorization. P.A. 91-628; effective 1-1-2000.

SB 1026 - Public Funds Investment
The bill provides that a custodian of public funds may enter into agreements with banks, financial institutions, trust companies, or with a U.S. Government agency to deposit securities for public funds held by banks, savings banks and savings and loan associations. P.A. 91-211; effective 7-20-99.

SB 1071 - Public Officer Activity Disclosure
The bill requires disclosure of the identity of members, partners, and shareholders entitled to receive more than 7 ½% of the income generated by property that is the subject of a contract with the State or a unit of local government. P.A. 91-361; effective 7-29-99.