I've decided to pretend I'm a State Senator. Now, as I'm not raking in the phatty cash that they make, all I'm going to do is respond to bills that have made it out of comittee and are up for vote. I'm starting with the 18th Legislative Day, the last day for which Senate Journal is available right now. Here goes.
Senate Bill 74
CRIM PRO-COMM INTERCEPT
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that the State's Attorney, or a person designated in writing or by law to act for the State's Attorney and to perform his or her duties during his or her absence or disability, may authorize, in writing, an ex parte application to the chief judge of a court of competent jurisdiction for an order authorizing the interception of a private communication (rather than a private oral communication) in specified cases. Effective immediately.
My Vote: Yea.
I feel that it is important that governments recognize that the same privacies must apply to on-line communications as to phone and oral communication. I think this change, by making these conversations legally identical, recognizes this fact.
Senate Bill 99
VEH CD-WINDOW TINTING-MEDICAL
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the prohibition against tinted windshields and front side windows does not apply to a vehicle owned and operated by a person who is afflicted with or suffers from lupus or albinism and must be shielded from the direct rays of the sun. Provides that the prohibition does not apply to a vehicle used to transport a person with one of those conditions if the person resides at the same address as the registered owner of the vehicle. Effective immediately.
My Vote: Yea.
While tinted windows on '83 Escorts are sad and pathetic, and in general, a stupid idea, I think if a person has a condition that requires them to be protected from the sun, they should be given opportunity to lead functional lives without having to rely on others for their transportation needs. Untill the public transit system in this state is repaired, in many areas driving is the only option for some people.
Senate Bill 123
DNR-HUNTING LICENSES
Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and the Department of Natural Resources Act. Requires the Department of Natural Resources as soon as practicable to assign a customer identification number to each applicant for a hunting or fishing license. Provides that after the applicant has been assigned a customer identification number, the applicant may use that customer identification number in place of his or her social security number on any subsequent application for a hunting or fishing license. Requires the Department to keep a record of the social security number of each applicant and to notify each applicant that his or her social security number is kept on file with the Department. Provides that a licensee's social security number shall not appear on the face of his or her hunting or fishing license.
My Vote: Yea
Because the SSN has become an all-purpose ID, used for far too many things, protection of this information is vital. Not printing it on Hunting Licenses is a good step.
Senate Bill 169
MUNI CD-PEST EXTERMINATN LIENS
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the corporate authorities of each municipality may provide for the extermination of pests (now, rats only). Defines "pests" to mean undesirable arthropods (including certain insects, spiders, mites, ticks, and related organisms), wood infesting organisms, rats, mice, birds, and any other obnoxious or undesirable animals. Effective immediately.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 4
Further amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Replaces the definition of "pests" with this definition: undesirable arthropods (including insects, spiders, mites, ticks, and related organisms), wood infesting organisms, rats, mice and other obnoxious or undesirable animals, but does not include a feral cat, a "companion animal" as that term is defined in the Humane Care for Animals Act, "animals" as that term is defined in the Illinois Diseased Animals Act, or animals protected by the Wildlife Code.
My Vote: Yea
Clean up after yourself, if the local government has to do it for you, you pay for the service. This shouldn't only apply to rats, so the amendment is good.
Senate Bill 173
CREDIT UNIONS-POWERS
Amends the Illinois Credit Union Act. Authorizes a credit union to: (i) make reasonable contributions to certain civic, charitable, religious, or service organizations and to fundraisers to benefit persons in the credit union's service area and (ii) to act as a trustee or custodian under health savings accounts and similar tax-advantaged plans established under the federal Internal Revenue Code. Provides that loan applications shall be made in the manner prescribed by the Credit Committee, credit manager, or loan officer (now, the applications are made in writing upon a prescribed form) and may be evidenced by an electronically stored or generated record. Provides that the signature on a loan application includes any symbol executed or adopted, or any security procedure employed or adopted, using electronic means or otherwise, by or on behalf of a person with intent to authenticate a record. Prohibits any individual, firm, association, or body politic and corporate, including, without limitation, any corporation, limited liability company, general partnership, limited partnership, or joint venture that is not an authorized user from using any name or title that contains the words "credit union" or any abbreviation thereof. Authorizes the Director of the Division of Financial Institutions to impose a penalty of up to $10,000 for each violation. Effective immediately.
My Vote: Yea
Giving credit unions the ability to process and store applications and forms electronically is a good idea. Protecting consumers from false "Credit Unions" is good as well.
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