Senate Week in Review: Feb. 28 - Mar. 4
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[A decision by the Attorney General that would make public Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) information incited a firestorm of controversy at the Illinois Statehouse this week, according to State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville).
In other news, senators confirmed the appointment of the beleaguered acting director of the Illinois State Police to a new position as director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). Also this week, the Attorney General's office revealed that debt topped consumer complaints in 2010.
State law enforcement officials and lawmakers alike are opposing a decision released Feb. 28 by Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office that the names of FOID card holders are public information. The ruling came in response to an Associated Press Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for information on Illinois' FOID card holders, which Illinois State Police had refused to release, citing public safety and privacy concerns.
To date, the Illinois State Police has not released the FOID information and reportedly plans to challenge the AG's opinion in court. Many Senate Republican lawmakers are pushing for passage of Senate Bill 27, which would restrict public disclosure of the names and information of people who currently possess or who have applied for a FOID card.
Lawmakers and law enforcement officials cite safety concerns stemming from the release of information which they say could be used by criminals looking to burglarize homes in search of firearms or, conversely, criminals seeking to target homes without firearms. Others said that the decision, if upheld, could lead to more straw purchases of guns or total non-compliance with firearm registration requirements. Concerns that the information would be used by commercial solicitors were also raised.
Also this week, consumer complaint information released by the Attorney General shows that Illinois residents have their money on their minds.
According to the AG, of the 170,000 consumers who contacted the Consumer Protection Division in 2010, more than 7,000 of the consumer complaints were related to debt and struggling to stay afloat in the down economy. The Attorney General reported that complaints relating to residential mortgages were the most common consumer debt concern, though credit card debt and abusive collection practices were also reported by many consumers.
Legislation approved by Senate Committees this week includes:
Abuse Hearing (SB 106): Mandates those professionals who are listed as mandated reporters of abuse or neglect, but who are not the actual reporter, to be required to share information in abuse or neglect investigations.
Defendants (SB 73): Mandates that a hearing for defendants who are unfit to stand trial or be sentenced must be held within 14 days of the court's receipt of the defendant's treatment report unless good reason is giving for the hearing to not take place.
Drivers Education (SB 1643): Allows school districts to increase their driver's education fee up to $250 by school board resolution following a public hearing on the increase, though the increased fee must be waived for students who can't afford the course.
Hate Crimes (SB 1708): Requires that any individual convicted of a hate crime must attend an educational program discouraging hate crimes as a term of probation or conditional discharge.
Health Care Worker Sex Crime (SB 1762): Immediately and permanently revokes a health care worker's medical license if he/she is convicted of a sex crime.
HFS Efficiencies (SB 1784): Promotes efficiencies within the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and medical assistance programs by eliminating duplicative services, streamlining healthcare payment processes, ensuring federal law compliance and promoting administrative efficiencies through technical and other changes.
Homestead Exemption Cook County (SB 19): Removes the requirement that Cook County homeowners need to apply every year for the senior homestead exemption.
Homestead Exemption Expansion (SB 1648): Expands the senior assessment freeze on homestead exemptions to include disabled persons.
Mandatory Prison (SB 1589): Mandates prison time for a convicted felon, Department of Corrections' inmate, parolee or person on mandatory supervised release who is found to have unlawfully used or possessed a weapon.
Property Tax Petition (SB 1386): Increases the number of years taxpayers have to petition for a refund of overpaid property taxes from five years to 20 years.
Quarterly Taxpayer Refunds (SB 1741): Allows quarterly taxpayers entitled to a refund after the payment of the fourth installment to apply the refund to the first installment due in the next taxable year.
Quincy Veterans' Home (SB 1640): Allows a veteran who is a resident of a state bordering Illinois to be admitted to the Quincy Veterans' Home.
Sex Education (SB 1619): Makes changes to sex education curriculum, including eliminating language in the School Code and the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act that states pupils should abstain from sexual intercourse until they are ready for marriage, and instead promotes abstinence as an assured method of avoiding unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Senior Insurance Sale (SB 1607): Requires individuals who want to sell insurance policies to have special certification or training in advising or serving seniors in the sale or purchase of a life insurance or annuity product.