May 9, 2008

 “How small of all that human hearts endure, that part of which laws or kings can cause or cure!”
~Samuel Johnson

-         A relatively quiet week this week at the Statehouse, with both chambers adjourning for the week on Thursday. 

-         On Wednesday, the House Judiciary I- Civil Law Committee adopted a revised version of House Bill 838, an initiative of Attorney General Lisa Madigan. The measure, sponsored by Representative Marlow Colvin, establishes various requirements regarding additional information to be attached to a foreclosure complaint (in English and in Spanish), specifies a timeframe that a payoff demand statement must be prepared and delivered (10 business days) and specifies the information that must be included in such statement. The legislation also provides that a court may award reasonable attorney’s fees and cost to the prevailing party in a foreclosure action. This bill is pending in the House. 

-         On Wednesday, the Senate Local Government Committee unanimously approved House Bill 4687. This bill, sponsored by Senator Michael Frerichs and Representative Mike Boland, authorizes fire protection districts to establish a grant program for owners of single family residential properties who install and maintain approved sprinkler or other fire suppression systems. The systems must meet national standards and must be certified by the district.   

-         The Senate Local Government Committee also heard testimony but took no action on House Bill 5195- legislation that would change Illinois law with respect to boundary agreements between municipalities. IAR is OPPOSED to this measure. The sponsor, Senator Pam Althoff, met with the various parties on the issue on Friday and negotiations are on-going. 

-         Also on Wednesday, the Senate Environment and Energy Committee unanimously approved House Bill 4129, sponsored by Senator Bill Haine and Representative Frank Mautino. This bill amends the Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act, to allow for new technology to be used as an option for smaller septic systems that service primarily residential properties. The intent is to allow for new technology, tested and proven in other states and often at a lesser cost, to be used in Illinois. IAR SUPPORTS this legislation which is pending in the Senate. 

-         Also approved in Senate Committee this week was House Bill 4611. This bill, sponsored by Senator Mattie Hunter and Representative Connie Howard, expands the “Our Own Home Program” within the State Treasurer’s office. This program, established in 2002, assists Illinois residents buy a home or keep their existing homes from going into foreclosure. “Our Own Home” provides lenders with extra security on mortgages they might otherwise reject. The Treasurer’s Office guarantees 10 percent of each loan amount for the first five years of the mortgage. Under the provisions of the bill, the Treasurer’s office will assist mortgage holders in refinancing, in addition to loans for purchasing a home. In addition, the legislation redefines “home loan” within the program to remove the 50% cap on the conforming loan size. The measure is pending in the Senate.   

-         On Thursday, the Senate Licensed Activities Committee approved Senate Amendment #1 to Senate Bill 886 and advanced the measure to the Senate for further consideration. This amendment amends the Elevator Safety and Regulation Act which is the State law that covers the construction, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration and repair of elevators, escalators moving walks and dumbwaiters. The Act is administered by the State Fire Marshal’s office and includes the licensure of contractors, inspectors and mechanics as well as the permitting, annual registration and annual inspection of existing conveyances. The Act does NOT apply to the city of Chicago. The legislation modifies the existing definition of “private residence” which are exempt from the Act. Currently the Act defines “private residence” as a separate dwelling or a separate apartment or condominium unit in a multiple family dwelling that is occupied by members of a single family unit.  The AMENDED definition means a separate dwelling or a multiple-family condominium or apartment building. The legislation also specifies that any rule adopted under the Act that requires compliance beginning in 2009 is extended to 2011 (such as requirements for safety code upgrades by January 1, 2009 for existing elevators and escalators). Senator Don Harmon, the sponsor of the measure has also filed another amendment that pushes the compliance date to 2013 since the safety code upgrades for other systems was January 1, 2011. You can access additional information on the Division of Elevator Safety on the State Fire Marshal’s website:  http://www.state.il.us/osfm/Elevator/Overview.htm 

-         The Senate Revenue Committee approved House Bill 4201, sponsored by Senator Rutherford and Representative Keith Sommer this week and sent the measure to the full Senate for further consideration. This bill extends the life of the TIF in the village of Downs. In related action, the House approved House Bill 4548 this week on a roll call vote of 102-2-0. This legislation extends the TIF in the village of Libertyville. The bill, sponsored by Representative Ed Sullivan, has been sent to the Senate for their consideration. 

-         The House approved House Bill 5205 this week and sent the bill to the Senate for their consideration. The bill directs the Department of Natural Resources, subject to appropriation, to evaluate the adequacy of the levee system in Illinois. If the Department finds the system is insufficient it must calculate the cost of repairing the levees. The Department is required to report findings to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than March 1, 2009. 

-         The Senate Environment and Energy Subcommittee on Global Warming and Energy held a hearing on late Thursday afternoon to discuss provisions of Senate Bills 2220 and 2695, which were introduced but held by the sponsor. This topic is expected to be discussed in additional hearings throughout the summer. 

-         The House of Representatives extended all deadlines until May 23^rd. This includes passage of Senate Bills out of the respective House committees and for final passage of House and Senate Bills. The Senate deadline for committee action on House Bills is May 15^th and final passage is also May 23^rd.   

-         The Senate is scheduled to be in session Tuesday-Thursday next week. The House is scheduled to be in session Tuesday-Friday.

For more information, contact Greg St. Aubin, Director of IAR Governmental Affairs, gstaubin@iar.org, or Julie Sullivan, Assistant Director, Legislative and Political Affairs, jsullivan@iar.org.

Contact information for members of the House and Senate, notice of committee hearings, text of legislation and roll call votes are all available on the Illinois General Assembly’s Web site, www.ilga.gov.