Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins

Filed: 2/15/2006

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 2349

2     AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 2349 by replacing
3 everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4     "Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5 Mortgage Rescue Fraud Act.
 
6     Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
7     "Distressed property" means residential real property
8 consisting of one to 6 family dwelling units that is in
9 foreclosure or at risk of loss due to nonpayment of taxes, or
10 whose owner is more than 90 days delinquent on any loan that is
11 secured by the property.
12     "Distressed property consultant" means any person who,
13 directly or indirectly, for compensation from the owner, makes
14 any solicitation, representation, or offer to perform or who,
15 for compensation from the owner, performs any service that the
16 person represents will in any manner do any of the following:
17         (1) stop or postpone the foreclosure sale or the loss
18     of the home due to nonpayment of taxes;
19         (2) obtain any forbearance from any beneficiary or
20     mortgagee, or relief with respect to a tax sale of the
21     property;
22         (3) assist the owner to exercise any right of
23     reinstatement or right of redemption;
24         (4) obtain any extension of the period within which the

 

 

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1     owner may reinstate the owner's rights with respect to the
2     property;
3         (5) obtain any waiver of an acceleration clause
4     contained in any promissory note or contract secured by a
5     mortgage on a distressed property or contained in the
6     mortgage;
7         (6) assist the owner in foreclosure, loan default, or
8     post-tax sale redemption period to obtain a loan or advance
9     of funds;
10         (7) avoid or ameliorate the impairment of the owner's
11     credit resulting from the recording of a notice of default
12     or the conduct of a foreclosure sale or tax sale; or
13         (8) save the owner's residence from foreclosure or loss
14     of home due to nonpayment of taxes.
15     A "distressed property consultant" does not include any of
16 the following:
17         (1) a person or the person's authorized agent acting
18     under the express authority or written approval of the
19     Department of Housing and Urban Development;
20         (2) a person who holds or is owed an obligation secured
21     by a lien on any distressed property, or a person acting
22     under the express authorization or written approval of such
23     person, when the person performs services in connection
24     with the obligation or lien, if the obligation or lien did
25     not arise as the result of or as part of a proposed
26     distressed property conveyance;
27         (3) banks, savings banks, savings and loan
28     associations, credit unions, and insurance companies
29     organized, chartered, or holding a certificate of
30     authority to do business under the laws of this State or
31     any other state or under the laws of the United States;
32         (4) licensed attorneys engaged in the practice of law;
33         (5) a Department of Housing and Urban Development
34     approved mortgagee and any subsidiary or affiliate of these

 

 

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1     persons or entities, and any agent or employee of these
2     persons or entities, while engaged in the business of these
3     persons or entities;
4         (6) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency or organization,
5     doing business for no less than 5 years, that offers
6     counseling or advice to an owner of a home in foreclosure
7     or loan default, if they do not contract for services with
8     for-profit lenders or distressed property purchasers, or
9     any person who structures or plans such a transaction;
10         (7) licensees of the Residential Mortgage License Act
11     of 1987; or
12         (8) licensees under the Consumer Installment Loan Act
13     who are authorized to make loans secured by real property.
14     "Distressed property purchaser" means any person who
15 acquires any interest in a distressed property while allowing
16 the owner to possess, occupy, or retain any present or future
17 interest in the property, or any person who structures or plans
18 such a transaction.
19     "Distressed property conveyance" means a transaction in
20 which an owner of a distressed property transfers an interest
21 in the distressed property; the acquirer of the property allows
22 the owner of the distressed property to occupy the property;
23 and the acquirer of the property or a person acting in
24 participation with the acquirer of the property conveys or
25 promises to convey an interest back to the owner or gives the
26 owner an option to purchase the property at a later date.
27     "Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation,
28 limited liability company, association, or other group or
29 entity, however organized.
30     "Service" means, without limitation, any of the following:
31         (1) debt, budget, or financial counseling of any type;
32         (2) receiving money for the purpose of distributing it
33     to creditors in payment or partial payment of any
34     obligation secured by a lien on a distressed property;

 

 

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1         (3) contacting creditors on behalf of an owner of a
2     residence that is distressed property;
3         (4) arranging or attempting to arrange for an extension
4     of the period within which the owner of a distressed
5     property may cure the owner's default and reinstate his or
6     her obligation;
7         (5) arranging or attempting to arrange for any delay or
8     postponement of the time of sale of the residence in
9     foreclosure;
10         (6) advising the filing of any document or assisting in
11     any manner in the preparation of any document for filing
12     with any court; or
13         (7) giving any advice, explanation, or instruction to
14     an owner of a distressed property that in any manner
15     relates to the cure of a default or forfeiture or to the
16     postponement or avoidance of sale of the distressed
17     property.
 
18     Section 10. Distressed property consultant contract terms.
19     (a) A distressed property consultant contract must be in
20 writing and must fully disclose the exact nature of the
21 distressed property consultant's services and the total amount
22 and terms of compensation.
23     (b) The following notice, printed in at least 12-point
24 boldface type and completed with the name of the distressed
25 property consultant, must be printed immediately above the
26 statement required by subsection (c) of this Section:
27
"NOTICE REQUIRED BY ILLINOIS LAW
28      ...............................(name) or anyone working
29     for him or her CANNOT:
30         (1) Take any money from you or ask you for money until
31     ........................................ (Name) has
32     completely finished doing everything he or she said he or
33     she would do; or

 

 

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1         (2) Ask you to sign or have you sign any lien,
2     mortgage, or deed."
3         (c) A distressed property consultant contract must be
4 written in the same language as principally used by the
5 distressed property consultant to describe his or her services
6 or to negotiate the contract, must be dated and signed by the
7 owner, and must contain in immediate proximity to the space
8 reserved for the owner's signature a conspicuous statement in a
9 size equal to at least 12-point boldface type, as follows:
10         "You, the owner, may cancel this transaction at any
11     time until after the distressed property consultant has
12     fully performed each and every service the distressed
13     property consultant contracted to perform or represented
14     he or she would perform. See the attached notice of
15     cancellation form for an explanation of this right."
16     (d) A distressed property contract must contain on the
17 first page, in a type size no smaller than that generally used
18 in the body of the document, each of the following:
19         (1) the name and address of the distressed property
20     consultant to which the notice of cancellation is to be
21     mailed; and
22         (2) the date the owner signed the contract.
23     (e) A distressed property consultant contract must be
24 accompanied by a completed form in duplicate, captioned "NOTICE
25 OF CANCELLATION," which must be attached to the contract, must
26 be easily detachable, and must contain, in at least 12-point
27 boldface type, the following statement written in the same
28 language as used in the contract:
29
"NOTICE OF CANCELLATION
30
............................
31
(Enter date of transaction)
32      You may cancel this transaction, without any penalty or
33 obligation, at any time until after the distressed property
34 consultant has fully performed each and every service the

 

 

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1 distressed property consultant contracted to perform or
2 represented he or she would perform.
3     To cancel this transaction, mail or deliver a signed and
4 dated copy of this cancellation notice, or any other written
5 notice to:
6 ..................(Name of distressed property consultant) at
7 ...........................(Address of distressed property
8 consultant's place of business)
9     I hereby cancel this transaction on ...............(Date)
10 .....................................(Owner's signature)".
11     (f) The distressed property consultant shall provide the
12 owner with a copy of a distressed property consultant contract
13 and the attached notice of cancellation immediately upon
14 execution of the contract.
 
15     Section 15. Rescission of distressed property consultant
16 contract.
17     (a) In addition to any other legal right to rescind a
18 contract, an owner has the right to cancel a distressed
19 property consultant contract at any time until after the
20 distressed property consultant has fully performed each
21 service the distressed property consultant contracted to
22 perform or represented he or she would perform.
23     (b) Cancellation occurs when the owner gives written notice
24 of cancellation to the distressed property consultant at the
25 address specified in the distressed property consultant
26 contract.
27     (c) Notice of cancellation, if given by mail, is effective
28 when deposited in the mail properly addressed with postage
29 prepaid. Notice by certified mail, return receipt requested,
30 addressed to the address specified in the distressed property
31 consultant contract, shall be conclusive proof of notice of
32 service.
33     (d) Notice of cancellation given by the owner need not take

 

 

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1 the particular form as provided with the distressed property
2 consultant contract and, however expressed, is effective if it
3 indicates the intention of the owner not to be bound by the
4 contract.
 
5     Section 20. Waiver of a distressed property consultant
6 contract.
7     (a) Any waiver by an owner of the provisions of Section 10
8 or 15 is void and unenforceable as contrary to public policy.
9     (b) Any attempt by a distressed property consultant to
10 induce an owner to waive the owner's rights is a violation of
11 the Act.
 
12     Section 25. Distressed property conveyance contract. A
13 distressed property purchaser shall enter into every
14 distressed property conveyance in the form of a written
15 contract. Every distressed property conveyance contract must
16 be written in letters of a size equal to at least 12-point
17 boldface type, in the same language principally used by the
18 owner of the distressed property to negotiate the sale of the
19 distressed property, must be fully completed, signed, and dated
20 by the owner of the distressed property and the distressed
21 property purchaser, and must be witnessed and acknowledged by a
22 notary public, before the execution of any instrument of
23 conveyance of the distressed property.
 
24     Section 30. Distressed property conveyance contract terms.
25 Every contract required by Section 25 must contain the entire
26 agreement of the parties, be fully assignable, and survive
27 delivery of any instrument of conveyance of the distressed
28 property. Every lease entered into pursuant to a contract
29 required by Section 25 is terminable at will by the distressed
30 property owner, without liability. Every contract required by
31 Section 25 must include the following terms:

 

 

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1         (1) the name, business address, and the telephone
2     number of the distressed property purchaser;
3         (2) the address of the distressed property;
4         (3) the total consideration to be given by the
5     foreclosure purchaser in connection with or incident to the
6     sale;
7         (4) a complete description of the terms of payment or
8     other consideration including, but not limited to, any
9     services of any nature that the distressed property
10     purchaser represents he or she will perform for the owner
11     of the distressed property before or after the sale;
12         (5) a complete description of the terms of any related
13     agreement designed to allow the owner of the distressed
14     property to remain in the home such as a rental agreement,
15     repurchase agreement, contract for deed, or lease with
16     option to buy;
17         (6) a notice of cancellation as provided in this
18     Section;
19         (7) the following notice in at least 12-point boldface
20     type, if the contract is printed, or in capital letters, if
21     the contract is typed, and completed with the name of the
22     distressed property purchaser, immediately above the
23     statement required by this Section:
24
"NOTICE REQUIRED BY ILLINOIS LAW
25         Until your right to cancel this contract has ended,
26     ..................(Name) or anyone working for
27     ...................(Name) CANNOT ask you to sign or have
28     you sign any deed or any other document. You are urged to
29     have this contract reviewed by an attorney of your choice
30     within 5 business days of signing it."; and
31         (8) if title to the distressed property will be
32     transferred in the conveyance transaction, the following
33     notice in at least 14-point boldface type if the contract
34     is printed, or in capital letters if the contract is typed,

 

 

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1     and completed with the name of the distressed property
2     purchaser, immediately above the statement required by
3     this Section:
4
"NOTICE REQUIRED BY ILLINOIS LAW
5         As part of this transaction, you are giving up title to
6     your home.".
 
7     Section 35. Cancellation of a distressed property
8 conveyance contract.
9     (a) In addition to any other right of rescission, the owner
10 of the distressed property has the right to cancel any contract
11 with a distressed property purchaser until midnight of the
12 fifth business day following the day on which the owner of the
13 distressed property signs a contract that complies with
14 Sections 25 and 30 or until 8:00 a.m. on the last day of the
15 period during which the owner of the distressed property has a
16 right of redemption under the Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Law
17 or the Property Tax Code, whichever occurs first.
18     (b) Cancellation occurs when the owner of the distressed
19 property delivers, by any means, written notice of cancellation
20 to the address specified in the distressed property conveyance
21 contract.
22     (c) A notice of cancellation given by the owner of the
23 distressed property need not take the particular form as
24 provided with the distressed property conveyance contract.
25     (d) Within 10 days following receipt of a notice of
26 cancellation given in accordance with this Section, the
27 distressed property purchaser shall return, without condition,
28 any original contract and any other documents signed by the
29 owner of the distressed property.
 
30     Section 40. Notice of cancellation of a distressed property
31 conveyance contract.
32     (a) The contract must contain in immediate proximity to the

 

 

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1 space reserved for the owner of the distressed property's
2 signature a conspicuous statement in a size equal to at least
3 12-point boldface type, if the contract is printed, or in
4 capital letters, if the contract is typed, as follows:
5         "You may cancel this contract for the sale of your
6     house, without any penalty or obligation, at any time
7     before ................................(Date and time of
8     day). See the attached notice of cancellation form for an
9     explanation of this right."
10         The distressed property purchaser shall accurately
11     enter the date and time of day on which the cancellation
12     right ends.
13     (b) The contract must be accompanied by a completed form in
14 duplicate, captioned "NOTICE OF CANCELLATION" in a size equal
15 to a 12-point boldface type, if the contract is printed, or in
16 capital letters, if the contract is typed, followed by a space
17 in which the distressed property purchaser shall enter the date
18 on which the owner of the distressed property executes any
19 contract. This form must be attached to the contract, must be
20 easily detachable, and must contain in at least 12-point type,
21 if the contract is printed, or in capital letters, if the
22 contract is typed, the following statement written in the same
23 language as used in the contract:
24
"NOTICE OF CANCELLATION
25
...........................
26
(Enter date contract signed)
27     You may cancel this contract for the sale of your home,
28     without any penalty or obligation, at any time before
29     ....................(enter date and time of day). To
30     cancel this transaction, mail or deliver a signed and dated
31     copy of this cancellation notice to
32     .......................(Name of purchaser) at
33     .............................................. (Street
34     address of purchaser's place of business) NOT LATER THAN

 

 

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1     ................................ (Enter date and time of
2     day).
3      I hereby cancel this transaction on ............... (Date)
4     ............................................... (Seller's
5     signature)".
6     (c) The distressed property purchaser shall provide the
7 owner of the distressed property with a copy of the contract
8 and the attached notice of cancellation immediately at the time
9 the contract is executed by all parties.
10     (d) The distressed property purchaser shall record the
11 contract with the recorder of deeds in the county where the
12 distressed property is located within 10 days of its execution,
13 provided the contract has not been canceled. If the contract is
14 not recorded, the contract and any conveyance made or given
15 pursuant to the terms of the contract are void ab initio.
16     (e) The 5 business days during which the owner of the
17 distressed property may cancel the contract shall not begin to
18 run until all parties to the contract have executed the
19 contract and the distressed property purchaser has complied
20 with all the requirements of this Section.
 
21     Section 45. Waiver of a distressed property conveyance
22 contract. Any waiver of the provisions of Sections 35 and 40
23 are void and unenforceable as contrary to public policy, except
24 that a consumer may waive the 5-day right to cancel provided in
25 Section 35 if the property is subject to a foreclosure sale
26 within the 5 business days and the owner of the distressed
27 property agrees to waive his or her right to cancel in a
28 handwritten statement that is signed by all parties holding
29 title to the distressed property.
 
30     Section 50. Violations.
31     (a) It is a violation for a distressed property consultant
32 to:

 

 

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1         (1) claim, demand, charge, collect, or receive any
2     compensation until after the distressed property
3     consultant has fully performed each service the distressed
4     property consultant contracted to perform or represented
5     he or she would perform;
6         (2) claim, demand, charge, collect, or receive any fee,
7     interest, or any other compensation for any reason that
8     exceeds 2 monthly mortgage payments of principal and
9     interest or the most recent tax installment on the
10     distressed property, whichever is less;
11         (3) take a wage assignment, a lien of any type on real
12     or personal property, or other security to secure the
13     payment of compensation. Any such security is void and
14     unenforceable;
15         (4) receive any consideration from any third party in
16     connection with services rendered to an owner unless the
17     consideration is first fully disclosed to the owner;
18         (5) acquire any interest, directly or indirectly, or by
19     means of a subsidiary or affiliate in a distressed property
20     from an owner with whom the distressed property consultant
21     has contracted;
22         (6) take any power of attorney from an owner for any
23     purpose, except to inspect documents as provided by law; or
24         (7) induce or attempt to induce an owner to enter a
25     contract that does not comply in all respects with Sections
26     10 and 15 of this Act.
27      (b) A distressed property purchaser, in the course of a
28 distress property conveyance, shall not:
29         (1) enter into, or attempt to enter into, a distressed
30     property conveyance unless the distressed property
31     purchaser verifies and can demonstrate that the owner of
32     the distressed property has a reasonable ability to pay for
33     the subsequent conveyance of an interest back to the owner
34     of the distressed property and to make monthly or any other

 

 

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1     required payments due prior to that time;
2         (2) fail to make a payment to the owner of the
3     distressed property at the time the title is conveyed so
4     that the owner of the distressed property has received
5     consideration in an amount of at least 82% of the fair
6     market value of the property;
7         (3) enter into repurchase or lease terms as part of the
8     subsequent conveyance that are unfair or commercially
9     unreasonable, or engage in any other unfair conduct;
10         (4) represent, directly or indirectly, that the
11     distressed property purchaser is acting as an advisor or a
12     consultant, or in any other manner represent that the
13     distressed property purchaser is acting on behalf of the
14     homeowner, or the distressed property purchaser is
15     assisting the owner of the distressed property to "save the
16     house", "buy time", or do anything couched in substantially
17     similar language;
18         (5) misrepresent the distressed property purchaser's
19     status as to licensure or certification;
20         (6) do any of the following until after the time during
21     which the owner of a distressed property may cancel the
22     transaction:
23             (A) accept from the owner of the distressed
24         property an execution of any instrument of conveyance
25         of any interest in the distressed property;
26             (B) induce the owner of the distressed property to
27         execute an instrument of conveyance of any interest in
28         the distressed property; or
29             (C) record with the county recorder of deeds any
30         document signed by the owner of the distressed
31         property, including but not limited to any instrument
32         of conveyance;
33         (7) fail to reconvey title to the distressed property
34     when the terms of the conveyance contract have been

 

 

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1     fulfilled;
2         (8) induce the owner of the distressed property to
3     execute a quit claim deed when entering into a distressed
4     property conveyance;
5         (9) enter into a distressed property conveyance where
6     any party to the transaction is represented by power of
7     attorney;
8         (10) fail to extinguish all liens encumbering the
9     distressed property, immediately following the conveyance
10     of the distressed property, or fail to assume all liability
11     with respect to the lien in foreclosure and prior liens
12     that will not be extinguished by such foreclosure, which
13     assumption shall be accomplished without violations of the
14     terms and conditions of the lien being assumed. Nothing
15     herein shall preclude a lender from enforcing any provision
16     in a contract that is not otherwise prohibited by law;
17         (11) fail to complete a distressed property conveyance
18     before a notary in the offices of a title company licensed
19     by the Department of Financial and Professional
20     Regulation; or
21         (12) cause the property to be conveyed or encumbered
22     without the knowledge or permission of the distressed
23     property owner, or in any way frustrate the ability of the
24     distressed property owner to complete conveyance.
25     (c) There is a rebuttable presumption that an appraisal by
26 a person licensed or certified by an agency of this State or
27 the federal government is an accurate determination of the fair
28 market value of the property.
29     (d) "Consideration" in item (2) of subsection (b) means any
30 payment or thing of value provided to the owner of the
31 distressed property, including reasonable costs paid to
32 independent third parties necessary to complete the distressed
33 property conveyance or payment of money to satisfy a debt or
34 legal obligation of the owner of the distressed property.

 

 

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1      "Consideration" shall not include amounts imputed as a
2 downpayment or fee to the distressed property purchaser, or a
3 person acting in participation with the distressed property
4 purchaser.
5     (e) An evaluation of "reasonable ability to pay" under
6 subsection (b)(1) of this Section 50 shall include debt to
7 income ratio, fair market value of the distressed property, and
8 the distressed property owner's payment history. There is a
9 rebuttable presumption that the distressed property purchaser
10 has not verified reasonable payment ability if the distressed
11 property purchaser has not obtained documents of assets,
12 liabilities, and income, other than a statement by the owner of
13 the distressed property.
 
14     Section 55. Civil remedies.
15     (a) A violation of any of the provisions of this Act
16 constitutes an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and
17 Deceptive Business Practices Act. All remedies, penalties, and
18 authority granted to the Attorney General or State's Attorney
19 by the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act
20 shall be available to him or her for the enforcement of this
21 Act.
22     (b) A consumer who suffers loss by reason of any violation
23 of any provision of this Act may bring a civil action in
24 accordance with the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business
25 Practices Act to enforce that provision. All remedies and
26 rights granted to a consumer by the Consumer Fraud and
27 Deceptive Business Practices Act shall be available to the
28 consumer bringing such an action. The remedies and rights
29 provided for in this Act are not exclusive, but cumulative, and
30 all other applicable claims, including, but not limited to,
31 those brought under the doctrine of equitable mortgage, are
32 specifically preserved.
 

 

 

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1     Section 60. Criminal mortgage rescue fraud. A person
2 commits the offense of criminal mortgage rescue fraud when he
3 or she intentionally violates any provision enumerated in
4 Section 50 of this Act.
 
5     Section 65. Criminal penalties. A person who commits the
6 offense of criminal mortgage rescue fraud is guilty of a Class
7 2 felony.
 
8     Section 300. The Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business
9 Practices Act is amended by changing Section 2Z as follows:
 
10     (815 ILCS 505/2Z)  (from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 262Z)
11     Sec. 2Z. Violations of other Acts. Any person who knowingly
12 violates the Automotive Repair Act, the Automotive Collision
13 Repair Act, the Home Repair and Remodeling Act, the Dance
14 Studio Act, the Physical Fitness Services Act, the Hearing
15 Instrument Consumer Protection Act, the Illinois Union Label
16 Act, the Job Referral and Job Listing Services Consumer
17 Protection Act, the Travel Promotion Consumer Protection Act,
18 the Credit Services Organizations Act, the Automatic Telephone
19 Dialers Act, the Pay-Per-Call Services Consumer Protection
20 Act, the Telephone Solicitations Act, the Illinois Funeral or
21 Burial Funds Act, the Cemetery Care Act, the Safe and Hygienic
22 Bed Act, the Pre-Need Cemetery Sales Act, the High Risk Home
23 Loan Act, the Payday Loan Reform Act, the Mortgage Rescue Fraud
24 Act, subsection (a) or (b) of Section 3-10 of the Cigarette Tax
25 Act, the Payday Loan Reform Act, subsection (a) or (b) of
26 Section 3-10 of the Cigarette Use Tax Act, the Electronic Mail
27 Act, paragraph (6) of subsection (k) of Section 6-305 of the
28 Illinois Vehicle Code, Article 3 of the Residential Real
29 Property Disclosure Act, the Automatic Contract Renewal Act, or
30 the Personal Information Protection Act commits an unlawful
31 practice within the meaning of this Act.

 

 

09400SB2349sam002 - 17 - LRB094 18521 LCT 56040 a

1 (Source: P.A. 93-561, eff. 1-1-04; 93-950, eff. 1-1-05; 94-13,
2 eff. 12-6-05; 94-36, eff. 1-1-06; 94-280, eff. 1-1-06; 94-292,
3 eff. 1-1-06; revised 8-19-05.)
 
4     Section 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect January
5 1, 2007.".