2007 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

SEX OFFENDERS

Creates the crime of aggravated child pornography. Brings child pornography in line with other Illinois sex offenses which are aggravated if the victim is under the age of 13. Establishes the Illinois Cyber-Crime Location Database and authorizes the Office of the Attorney General to collect, store, and use Internet Protocol addresses to investigate and prosecute child pornographers.

Status: P. A. 95-0579

CONSUMER PROTECTION

(Harmon-Colvin)

Creates the Illinois Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Brings state law in line with the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Expands the definition of “debt collector” to include debt buyers. Provides protections for ID theft victims by requiring collectors, upon receiving documentation, to suspend collection activities and investigate. Permits Attorney General enforcement of the Collection Agency Act.

Status: P.A. 95-0437

(Collins-Yarbrough, Lang)

Creates the Illinois Homeownership Protection Act. Requires mortgage brokers and lenders to verify a borrower’s ability to repay a loan. Provides that mortgage brokers must act with good faith in borrowers’ best interests. Establishes limits on prepayment penalties. Requires brokers and lenders to: 1) give borrowers notice of any material change in the loan terms or fees at least 24 hours before closing; 2) factor in the cost of taxes and insurance; and 3) provide borrowers a copy of any appraisal necessary in underwriting the loan prior to closing.

Status: P.A. 95-0691

(Martinez-Molaro)

Requires automobile dealers to pay off loans on vehicles traded into dealerships within 21 days of entering into contracts with consumers.

Status: P. A. 95-0393

LAW ENFORCEMENT

(Kotowski- Osterman)

Requires Illinois to participate in the Federal National Instant Background Check System. Creates a reporting process that allows the Illinois State Police to receive information about persons who are diagnosed as a danger to themselves or the community and have been prohibited under Illinois law from receiving or retaining a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card.

Status: P.A. 95-0564

VETERANS

Provides that certain civil right protections afforded to Illinois Veterans would be enforceable as civil rights violations under the Illinois Human Rights Act. These provisions may be enforced by the Illinois Human Rights Commission or the Attorney General.

Status: P.A. 95-0392

PUBLIC UTILITIES

Creates the Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007 and the Cable and Video Customer Protection Law. Requires that at least 30% of cable television service be offered in low-income areas statewide. Adopts consumer protections that apply to cable and all other paid television services, including satellite service. Requires new cable companies to comply with various local governments’ construction, technical and financial requirements while promoting new investment in television services. Requires traditional cable companies to fund and broadcast non-commercial public, educational and government programming.

Provides $1 billion in rate relief for Illinois electric customers. Eliminates the reverse auction and creates the Illinois Power Agency to control the purchase of electricity, build plants, or enter into agreements with private or governmental entities to build plants and sell electricity with preference for (1) new clean-coal technology that captures carbon; (2) renewable energy facilities; and (3) plants that use Illinois coal. Creates energy efficiency standards and includes financial penalties for failure to meet targets. Makes Illinois the 22nd state to have goals for energy efficiency.

INTERNET SAFETY

Creates the Internet Safety Education Act. Encourages Illinois schools to adopt an age-appropriate curriculum for internet safety education in grades K-12. Provides that a school district may submit curricula to the Office of the Attorney General for review.

Status: P.A. 95-0509