HB1285 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 04494 RAS 24545 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB1285

Introduced 2/20/2007, by Rep. Angelo Saviano

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 2004. Changes the short title to the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 and makes conforming changes in various other Acts. Adds provisions to the Act requiring the licensure of fingerprint vendors (persons that offer, advertise, or provide services to fingerprint individuals, through electronic or other means, for the purpose of providing fingerprint images and associated demographic data to the Department of State Police for processing fingerprint based criminal history record information inquiries). Preempts home rule powers. Effective immediately.

CORRECTIONAL BUDGET AND IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

HOME RULE NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Regulatory Sunset Act is amended by changing Section 4.24 as follows:

(5 ILCS 80/4.24)

Sec. 4.24. Acts repealed on January 1, 2014. The following Acts are repealed on January 1, 2014:

The Electrologist Licensing Act.

The Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984.

The Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act.

The Illinois Public Accounting Act.

The Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004.

The Registered Surgical Assistant and Registered Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act.

The Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004.

(Source: P.A. 92-457, eff. 8-21-01; 92-750, eff. 1-1-03; 93-280, eff. 7-1-04; 93-281, eff. 12-31-03; 93-438, eff. 8-5-03; 93-460, eff. 8-8-03; 93-461, eff. 8-8-03; revised 10-29-04.)

Section 10. The Criminal Identification Act is amended by changing Section 3.1 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2630/3.1) (from Ch. 38, par. 206-3.1)

Sec. 3.1. (a) The Department may furnish, pursuant to positive identification, records of convictions to the Department of Professional Regulation for the purpose of meeting registration or licensure requirements under The Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004.

(b) The Department may furnish, pursuant to positive identification, records of convictions to policing bodies of this State for the purpose of assisting local liquor control commissioners in carrying out their duty to refuse to issue licenses to persons specified in paragraphs (4), (5) and (6) of Section 6-2 of The Liquor Control Act of 1934.

(c) The Department shall charge an application fee, based on actual costs, for the dissemination of records pursuant to this Section. Fees received for the dissemination of records pursuant to this Section shall be deposited in the State Police Services Fund. The Department is empowered to establish this fee and to prescribe the form and manner for requesting and furnishing conviction information pursuant to this Section.

(d) Any dissemination of any information obtained pursuant to this Section to any person not specifically authorized hereby to receive or use it for the purpose for which it was disseminated shall constitute a violation of Section 7.

(Source: P.A. 93-438, eff. 8-5-03.)

Section 15. The Service Contract Act is amended by changing Section 10 as follows:

(215 ILCS 152/10)

Sec. 10. Exemptions. Service contract providers and related service contract sellers and administrators complying with this Act are not required to comply with and are not subject to any provision of the Illinois Insurance Code. A service contract provider who is the manufacturer or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the manufacturer of the product or the builder, seller, or lessor of the product that is the subject of the service contract is required to comply only with Sections 30, 35, 45, and 50 of this Act; except that, a service contract provider who sells a motor vehicle, excluding a motorcycle as defined in Section 1-147 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, or who leases, but is not the manufacturer of, the motor vehicle, excluding a motorcycle as defined in Section 1-147 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, that is the subject of the service contract must comply with this Act in its entirety. Contracts for the repair and monitoring of private alarm or private security systems regulated under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 are not required to comply with this Act and are not subject to any provision of the Illinois Insurance Code.

(Source: P.A. 92-16, eff. 6-28-01; 93-438, eff. 8-5-03.)

Section 20. The Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 2004 is amended by changing Sections 5-5, 5-10, and 10-5 and Sections 35-30, 35-35, 40-5, 40-10, 45-50, 50-10, and 50-25 and by adding Article 31 as follows:

(225 ILCS 447/5-5)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 5-5. Short title; Act supersedes the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 1993. This Act may be cited as the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 and it supersedes the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 1993 repealed by this Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-438, eff. 8-5-03.)

(225 ILCS 447/5-10)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 5-10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Advertisement" means any printed material that is published in a phone book, newspaper, magazine, pamphlet, newsletter, or other similar type of publication that is intended to either attract business or merely provide contact information to the public for an agency or licensee. Advertisement shall include any material disseminated by printed or electronic means or media, but shall not include a licensee's or an agency's letterhead, business cards, or other stationery used in routine business correspondence or customary name, address, and number type listings in a telephone directory.

"Alarm system" means any system, including an electronic access control system, a surveillance video system, a security video system, a burglar alarm system, a fire alarm system, or any other electronic system, that activates an audible, visible, remote, or recorded signal that is designed for the protection or detection of intrusion, entry, theft, fire, vandalism, escape, or trespass.

"Armed employee" means a licensee or registered person who is employed by an agency licensed or an armed proprietary security force registered under this Act who carries a weapon while engaged in the performance of official duties within the course and scope of his or her employment during the hours and times the employee is scheduled to work or is commuting between his or her home or place of employment, provided that commuting is accomplished within one hour from departure from home or place of employment.

"Armed proprietary security force" means a security force made up of 5 or more armed individuals employed by a private, commercial, or industrial operation or one or more armed individuals employed by a financial institution as security officers for the protection of persons or property.

"Board" means the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Board.

"Branch office" means a business location removed from the place of business for which an agency license has been issued, including but not limited to locations where active employee records that are required to be maintained under this Act are kept, where prospective new employees are processed, or where members of the public are invited in to transact business. A branch office does not include an office or other facility located on the property of an existing client that is utilized solely for the benefit of that client and is not owned or leased by the agency.

"Corporation" means an artificial person or legal entity created by or under the authority of the laws of a state, including without limitation a corporation, limited liability company, or any other legal entity.

"Department" means the Department of Professional Regulation.

"Director" means the Director of Professional Regulation.

"Employee" means a person who works for a person or agency that has the right to control the details of the work performed and is not dependent upon whether or not federal or state payroll taxes are withheld.

"Fingerprint vendor" means a person that offers, advertises, or provides services to fingerprint individuals, through electronic or other means, for the purpose of providing fingerprint images and associated demographic data to the Department of State Police for processing fingerprint based criminal history record information inquiries.

"Fingerprint vendor agency" means a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that engages in the fingerprint vendor business and employs, in addition to the fingerprint vendor licensee-in-charge, at least one other person in conducting that business.

"Fingerprint vendor licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by a fingerprint vendor agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Fire alarm system" means any system that is activated by an automatic or manual device in the detection of smoke, heat, or fire that activates an audible, visible, or remote signal requiring a response.

"Firearm authorization card" means a card issued by the Department that authorizes the holder to carry a weapon during the performance of his or her duties as specified in this Act.

"Firm" means an unincorporated business entity, including but not limited to proprietorships and partnerships.

"Locksmith" means a person who engages in a business or holds himself out to the public as providing a service that includes, but is not limited to, the servicing, installing, originating first keys, re-coding, repairing, maintaining, manipulating, or bypassing of a mechanical or electronic locking device, access control or video surveillance system at premises, vehicles, safes, vaults, safe deposit boxes, or automatic teller machines.

"Locksmith agency" means a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that engages in the locksmith business and employs, in addition to the locksmith licensee-in-charge, at least one other person in conducting such business.

"Locksmith licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency, who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act, and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Peace officer" or "police officer" means a person who, by virtue of office or public employment, is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for offenses, whether that duty extends to all offenses or is limited to specific offenses. Officers, agents, or employees of the federal government commissioned by federal statute to make arrests for violations of federal laws are considered peace officers.

"Permanent employee registration card" means a card issued by the Department to an individual who has applied to the Department and meets the requirements for employment by a licensed agency under this Act.

"Person" means a natural person.

"Private alarm contractor" means a person who engages in a business that individually or through others undertakes, offers to undertake, purports to have the capacity to undertake, or submits a bid to sell, install, monitor, maintain, alter, repair, replace, or service alarm and other security-related systems or parts thereof, including fire alarm systems, at protected premises or premises to be protected or responds to alarm systems at a protected premises on an emergency basis and not as a full-time security officer. "Private alarm contractor" does not include a person, firm, or corporation that manufactures or sells alarm systems only from its place of business and does not sell, install, monitor, maintain, alter, repair, replace, service, or respond to alarm systems at protected premises or premises to be protected.

"Private alarm contractor agency" means a person, corporation, or other entity that engages in the private alarm contracting business and employs, in addition to the private alarm contractor-in-charge, at least one other person in conducting such business.

"Private alarm contractor licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by an agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency, who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act, and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Private detective" means any person who by any means, including but not limited to manual or electronic methods, engages in the business of, accepts employment to furnish, or agrees to make or makes investigations for a fee or other consideration to obtain information relating to:

(1) Crimes or wrongs done or threatened against the United States, any state or territory of the United States, or any local government of a state or territory.

(2) The identity, habits, conduct, business occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movements, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation, or character of any person, firm, or other entity by any means, manual or electronic.

(3) The location, disposition, or recovery of lost or stolen property.

(4) The cause, origin, or responsibility for fires, accidents, or injuries to individuals or real or personal property.

(5) The truth or falsity of any statement or representation.

(6) Securing evidence to be used before any court, board, or investigating body.

(7) The protection of individuals from bodily harm or death (bodyguard functions).

(8) Service of process in criminal and civil proceedings without court order.

"Private detective agency" means a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that engages in the private detective business and employs, in addition to the licensee-in-charge, one or more persons in conducting such business.

"Private detective licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by an agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency, who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act, and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Private security contractor" means a person who engages in the business of providing a private security officer, watchman, patrol, or a similar service by any other title or name on a contractual basis for another person, firm, corporation, or other entity for a fee or other consideration and performing one or more of the following functions:

(1) The prevention or detection of intrusion, entry, theft, vandalism, abuse, fire, or trespass on private or governmental property.

(2) The prevention, observation, or detection of any unauthorized activity on private or governmental property.

(3) The protection of persons authorized to be on the premises of the person, firm, or other entity for which the security contractor contractually provides security services.

(4) The prevention of the misappropriation or concealment of goods, money, bonds, stocks, notes, documents, or papers.

(5) The control, regulation, or direction of the movement of the public for the time specifically required for the protection of property owned or controlled by the client.

(6) The protection of individuals from bodily harm or death (bodyguard functions).

"Private security contractor agency" means a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that engages in the private security contractor business and that employs, in addition to the licensee-in-charge, one or more persons in conducting such business.

"Private security contractor licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by an agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency, who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act, and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Public member" means a person who is not a licensee or related to a licensee, or who is not an employer or employee of a licensee. The term "related to" shall be determined by the rules of the Department.

(Source: P.A. 93-438, eff. 8-5-03.)

(225 ILCS 447/10-5)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 10-5. Requirement of license.

(a) It is unlawful for a person to act as or provide the functions of a private detective, private security contractor, private alarm contractor, fingerprint vendor, or locksmith or to advertise or to assume to act as any one of these, or to use these or any other title implying that the person is engaged in any of these activities unless licensed as such by the Department. An individual or sole proprietor who does not employ any employees other than himself or herself may operate under a "doing business as" or assumed name certification without having to obtain an agency license, so long as the assumed name is first registered with the Department.

(b) It is unlawful for a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity to act as an agency licensed under this Act, to advertise, or to assume to act as a licensed agency or to use a title implying that the person, firm, or other entity is engaged in the practice as a private detective agency, private security contractor agency, private alarm contractor agency, fingerprint vendor agency, or locksmith agency unless licensed by the Department.

(c) No agency shall operate a branch office without first applying for and receiving a branch office license for each location.

(d) It is unlawful for a person to operate live scan fingerprint equipment or other equipment designed to obtain fingerprint images for the purpose of providing fingerprint images and associated demographic data to the Department of State Police, unless he or she has successfully completed a fingerprint training course conducted or authorized by the Department of State Police and is licensed as a fingerprint vendor.

(Source: P.A. 93-438, eff. 8-5-03.)

(225 ILCS 447/Art. 31 heading new)

ARTICLE 31. FINGERPRINT VENDORS.

(225 ILCS 447/31-5 new)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 31-5. Exemptions. The provisions of this Act regarding fingerprint vendors do not apply to any of the following, if the person performing the service does not hold himself or herself out as a fingerprint vendor or fingerprint vendor agency:

(1) An employee of the United States, Illinois, or a political subdivision, including public school districts, of either while the employee is engaged in the performance of his or her official duties within the scope of his or her employment. However, any such person who offers his or her services as a fingerprint vendor or uses a similar title when these services are performed for compensation or other consideration, whether received directly or indirectly, is subject to this Act.

(2) A person employed exclusively by only one employer in connection with the exclusive activities of that employer, provided that person does not hold himself or herself out to the public as a fingerprint vendor.

(225 ILCS 447/31-10 new)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 31-10. Qualifications for licensure as a fingerprint vendor.

(a) A person is qualified for licensure as a fingerprint vendor if he or she meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Is at least 18 years of age.

(2) Has not been convicted of any felony in any jurisdiction or at least 10 years have elapsed since the time of full discharge from a sentence imposed for a felony conviction.

(3) Is of good moral character. Good moral character is a continuing requirement of licensure. Conviction of crimes other than felonies may be used in determining moral character, but shall not constitute an absolute bar to licensure, except where the applicant is a registered sex offender.

(4) Has not been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be incompetent by reason of mental or physical defect or disease, unless a court has subsequently declared him or her to be competent.

(5) Is not suffering from dependence on alcohol or from narcotic addiction or dependence.

(6) Has not been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States.

(7) Submits certification issued by the Department of State Police that the applicant has successfully completed a fingerprint vendor training course conducted or authorized by the Department of State Police.

(8) Submits his or her fingerprints, in accordance with subsection (b).

(9) Has not violated any provision of this Act or any rule adopted under this Act.

(10) Provides evidence satisfactory to the Department that the applicant has obtained general liability insurance in an amount and with coverage as determined by rule. Failure to maintain general liability insurance and failure to provide the Department with written proof of the insurance, upon request, shall result in cancellation of the license without hearing. A fingerprint vendor employed by a licensed fingerprint vendor agency may provide proof that his or her actions as a fingerprint vendor are covered by the liability insurance of his or her employer.

(11) pays the required licensure fee.

(12) submits certification issued by the Department of State Police that the applicant's fingerprinting equipment and software meets all specifications required by the Department of State Police. Compliance with Department of State Police fingerprinting equipment and software specifications is a continuing requirement for licensure.

(13) Submits proof that the applicant maintains a business office located in the State of Illinois.

(b) Each applicant for a fingerprint vendor license shall have his or her fingerprints submitted to the Department of State Police in an electronic format that complies with the form and manner for requesting and furnishing criminal history record information as prescribed by the Department of State Police. These fingerprints shall be checked against the Department of State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history record databases now and hereafter filed. The Department of State Police shall charge applicants a fee for conducting the criminal history records check, which shall be deposited in the State Police Services Fund and shall not exceed the actual cost of the records check. The Department of State Police shall furnish, pursuant to positive identification, records of Illinois convictions to the Department. The Department may require applicants to pay a separate fingerprinting fee, either to the Department or directly to the vendor. The Department, in its discretion, may allow an applicant who does not have reasonable access to a designated vendor to provide his or her fingerprints in an alternative manner. The Department, in its discretion, may also use other procedures in performing or obtaining criminal background checks of applicants. Instead of submitting his or her fingerprints, an individual may submit proof that is satisfactory to the Department that an equivalent security clearance has been conducted. Also, an individual who has retired as a peace officer within 12 months of application may submit verification, on forms provided by the Department and signed by his or her employer, of his or her previous full-time employment as a peace officer.

(225 ILCS 447/31-15 new)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 31-15. Qualifications for licensure as a fingerprint vendor agency.

(a) Upon receipt of the required fee and proof that the applicant is an Illinois licensed fingerprint vendor who shall assume responsibility for the operation of the agency and the directed actions of the agency's employees, which is a continuing requirement for agency licensure, the Department may issue a license as a fingerprint vendor agency to any of the following:

(1) An individual who submits an application and is a licensed fingerprint vendor under this Act.

(2) A firm that submits an application and all of the members of the firm are licensed fingerprint vendors under this Act.

(3) A corporation or limited liability company doing business in Illinois that is authorized by its articles of incorporation or organization to engage in the business of conducting a fingerprint vendor agency if at least one officer or executive employee is a licensed fingerprint vendor under this Act and all unlicensed officers and directors of the corporation or limited liability company are determined by the Department to be persons of good moral character.

(4) Submits proof that the applicant has successfully completed a fingerprint vendor course conducted or authorized by the Department of State Police and that the applicant's fingerprinting equipment and software meet all specifications required by the Department of State Police.

(b) An individual licensed as a fingerprint vendor operating under a business name other than the licensed fingerprint vendor's own name shall not be required to obtain a fingerprint vendor agency license if that licensed fingerprint vendor does not employ any persons to provide fingerprinting services.

(c) No fingerprint vendor may be the fingerprint vendor licensee-in-charge for more than one fingerprint vendor agency. Upon written request by a representative of the agency, within 10 days after the loss of a fingerprint vendor licensee-in-charge of an agency because of the death of that individual or because of the termination of the employment of that individual, the Department shall issue a temporary certificate of authority allowing the continuing operation of the licensed agency. No temporary certificate of authority shall be valid for more than 90 days. An extension of an additional 90 days may be granted upon written request by the representative of the agency. Not more than one extension may be granted to any agency. No temporary permit shall be issued for loss of the licensee-in-charge because of disciplinary action by the Department related to his or her conduct on behalf of the agency.

(225 ILCS 447/31-20 new)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 31-20. Training; fingerprint vendor and employees.

(a) Registered employees of a licensed Fingerprint Vendor agency shall complete a minimum of 20 hours of training provided by a qualified instructor within 31 days of their employment. The substance of the training shall be prescribed by rule.

(b) It is the responsibility of the employer to certify, on a form provided by the Department, that the employee has successfully completed the training. The form shall be a permanent record of training completed by the employee and shall be placed in the employee's file with the employer for the period the employee remains with the employer. An agency may place a notarized copy of the Department form, in lieu of the original, into the permanent employee registration card file. The original form shall be given to the employee when his or her employment is terminated. Failure to return the original form to the employee is grounds for disciplinary action. The employee shall not be required to repeat the required training once the employee has been issued the form. An employer may provide or require additional training.

(c) Any certification of completion of the 20-hour basic training issued under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 2004 or any prior Act shall be accepted as proof of training under this Act.

(d) No registered employee of a licensed fingerprint vendor agency may operate live scan fingerprint equipment or other equipment designed to obtain fingerprint images for the purpose of providing fingerprint images and associated demographic data to the Department of State Police.

(225 ILCS 447/31-25 new)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 31-25. Customer identification; record keeping. A fingerprint vendor or fingerprint vendor agency shall document in the form of a work order when and where each and every fingerprint service is provided. The work order shall also include the name, address, date of birth, telephone number, and driver's license number or other identification number of the person requesting the service to be done, the signature of that person, the routing number and any other information or documentation as provided by rule. All work orders shall be kept by the licensed fingerprint vendor for a period of 2 years from the date of service and shall include the name and license number of the fingerprint vendor and, if applicable, the name and identification number of the registered employee who performed the services. Work order forms required to be kept under this Section shall be available for inspection by the Department or by the Department of State Police.

(225 ILCS 447/31-30 new)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 31-30. Restrictions on firearms.

(a) Nothing in the Act or the rules adopted under this Act shall authorize a person licensed as a fingerprint vendor or any employee of a licensed fingerprint vendor agency to possess or carry a firearm in the course of providing fingerprinting services.

(b) Nothing in this Act or the rules adopted under this Act shall grant or authorize the issuance of a firearm authorization card to a fingerprint vendor or any employee of a licensed fingerprint vendor agency.

(225 ILCS 447/35-30)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 35-30. Employee requirements. All employees of a licensed agency, other than those exempted, shall apply for a permanent employee registration card. The holder of an agency license issued under this Act, known in this Section as "employer", may employ in the conduct of his or her business employees under the following provisions:

(a) (1) No person shall be issued a permanent employee registration card who:

(1) (A) Is younger than 18 years of age.

(2) (B) Is younger than 21 years of age if the services will include being armed.

(3) (C) Has been determined by the Department to be unfit by reason of conviction of an offense in this or another state, other than a traffic offense. The Department shall adopt rules for making those determinations that shall afford the applicant due process of law.

(4) (D) Has had a license or permanent employee registration card denied, suspended, or revoked under this Act (i) within one year before the date the person's application for permanent employee registration card is received by the Department; and (ii) that refusal, denial, suspension, or revocation was based on any provision of this Act other than Section 40-50, item (6) or (8) of subsection (a) of Section 15-10, subsection (b) of Section 15-10, item (6) or (8) of subsection (a) of Section 20-10, subsection (b) of Section 20-10, item (6) or (8) of subsection (a) of Section 25-10, subsection (b) of Section 25-10, item (7) of subsection (a) of Section 30-10, subsection (b) of Section 30-10, or Section 10-40.

(5) (E) Has been declared incompetent by any court of competent jurisdiction by reason of mental disease or defect and has not been restored.

(6) (F) Has been dishonorably discharged from the armed services of the United States.

(b) (2) No person may be employed by a private detective agency, private security contractor agency, private alarm contractor agency, fingerprint vendor agency, or locksmith agency under this Section until he or she has executed and furnished to the employer, on forms furnished by the Department, a verified statement to be known as "Employee's Statement" setting forth:

(1) (A) The person's full name, age, and residence address.

(2) (B) The business or occupation engaged in for the 5 years immediately before the date of the execution of the statement, the place where the business or occupation was engaged in, and the names of employers, if any.

(3) (C) That the person has not had a license or employee registration denied, revoked, or suspended under this Act (i) within one year before the date the person's application for permanent employee registration card is received by the Department; and (ii) that refusal, denial, suspension, or revocation was based on any provision of this Act other than Section 40-50, item (6) or (8) of subsection (a) of Section 15-10, subsection (b) of Section 15-10, item (6) or (8) of subsection (a) of Section 20-10, subsection (b) of Section 20-10, item (6) or (8) of subsection (a) of Section 25-10, subsection (b) of Section 25-10, item (7) of subsection (a) of Section 30-10, subsection (b) of Section 30-10, or Section 10-40.

(4) (D) Any conviction of a felony or misdemeanor.

(5) (E) Any declaration of incompetence by a court of competent jurisdiction that has not been restored.

(6) (F) Any dishonorable discharge from the armed services of the United States.

(7) (G) Any other information as may be required by any rule of the Department to show the good character, competency, and integrity of the person executing the statement.

(c) Each applicant for a permanent employee registration card shall have his or her fingerprints submitted to the Department of State Police in an electronic format that complies with the form and manner for requesting and furnishing criminal history record information as prescribed by the Department of State Police. These fingerprints shall be checked against the Department of State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history record databases now and hereafter filed. The Department of State Police shall charge applicants a fee for conducting the criminal history records check, which shall be deposited in the State Police Services Fund and shall not exceed the actual cost of the records check. The Department of State Police shall furnish, pursuant to positive identification, records of Illinois convictions to the Department. The Department may require applicants to pay a separate fingerprinting fee, either to the Department or directly to the vendor. The Department, in its discretion, may allow an applicant who does not have reasonable access to a designated vendor to provide his or her fingerprints in an alternative manner. The Department, in its discretion, may also use other procedures in performing or obtaining criminal background checks of applicants. Instead of submitting his or her fingerprints, an individual may submit proof that is satisfactory to the Department that an equivalent security clearance has been conducted. Also, an individual who has retired as a peace officer within 12 months of application may submit verification, on forms provided by the Department and signed by his or her employer, of his or her previous full-time employment as a peace officer.

(d) The Department shall issue a permanent employee registration card, in a form the Department prescribes, to all qualified applicants. The holder of a permanent employee registration card shall carry the card at all times while actually engaged in the performance of the duties of his or her employment. Expiration and requirements for renewal of permanent employee registration cards shall be established by rule of the Department. Possession of a permanent employee registration card does not in any way imply that the holder of the card is employed by an agency unless the permanent employee registration card is accompanied by the employee identification card required by subsection (f) of this Section.

(e) Each employer shall maintain a record of each employee that is accessible to the duly authorized representatives of the Department. The record shall contain the following information:

(1) A photograph taken within 10 days of the date that the employee begins employment with the employer. The photograph shall be replaced with a current photograph every 3 calendar years.

(2) The Employee's Statement specified in subsection (b) of this Section.

(3) All correspondence or documents relating to the character and integrity of the employee received by the employer from any official source or law enforcement agency.

(4) In the case of former employees, the employee identification card of that person issued under subsection (f) of this Section. Each employee record shall duly note if the employee is employed in an armed capacity. Armed employee files shall contain a copy of an active firearm owner's identification card and a copy of an active firearm authorization card. Each employer shall maintain a record for each armed employee of each instance in which the employee's weapon was discharged during the course of his or her professional duties or activities. The record shall be maintained on forms provided by the Department, a copy of which must be filed with the Department within 15 days of an instance. The record shall include the date and time of the occurrence, the circumstances involved in the occurrence, and any other information as the Department may require. Failure to provide this information to the Department or failure to maintain the record as a part of each armed employee's permanent file is grounds for disciplinary action. The Department, upon receipt of a report, shall have the authority to make any investigation it considers appropriate into any occurrence in which an employee's weapon was discharged and to take disciplinary action as may be appropriate.

(5) The Department may, by rule, prescribe further record requirements.

(f) Every employer shall furnish an employee identification card to each of his or her employees. This employee identification card shall contain a recent photograph of the employee, the employee's name, the name and agency license number of the employer, the employee's personal description, the signature of the employer, the signature of that employee, the date of issuance, and an employee identification card number.

(g) No employer may issue an employee identification card to any person who is not employed by the employer in accordance with this Section or falsely state or represent that a person is or has been in his or her employ. It is unlawful for an applicant for registered employment to file with the Department the fingerprints of a person other than himself or herself.

(h) Every employer shall obtain the identification card of every employee who terminates employment with him or her.

(i) Every employer shall maintain a separate roster of the names of all employees currently working in an armed capacity and submit the roster to the Department on request.

(j) No agency may employ any person to perform a licensed activity under this Act unless the person possesses a valid permanent employee registration card or a valid license under this Act, or is exempt pursuant to subsection (n).

(k) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (j), an agency may employ a person in a temporary capacity if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The agency completes in its entirety and submits to the Department an application for a permanent employee registration card, including the required fingerprint receipt and fees.

(2) The agency has verification from the Department that the applicant has no record of any criminal conviction pursuant to the criminal history check conducted by the Department of State Police. The agency shall maintain the verification of the results of the Department of State Police criminal history check as part of the employee record as required under subsection (e) of this Section.

(3) The agency exercises due diligence to ensure that the person is qualified under the requirements of the Act to be issued a permanent employee registration card.

(4) The agency maintains a separate roster of the names of all employees whose applications are currently pending with the Department and submits the roster to the Department on a monthly basis. Rosters are to be maintained by the agency for a period of at least 24 months.

An agency may employ only a permanent employee applicant for which it either submitted a permanent employee application and all required forms and fees or it confirms with the Department that a permanent employee application and all required forms and fees have been submitted by another agency, licensee or the permanent employee and all other requirements of this Section are met.

The Department shall have the authority to revoke, without a hearing, the temporary authority of an individual to work upon receipt of Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint data or a report of another official authority indicating a criminal conviction. If the Department has not received a temporary employee's Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint data within 120 days of the date the Department received the Department of State Police fingerprint data, the Department may, at its discretion, revoke the employee's temporary authority to work with 15 days written notice to the individual and the employing agency.

An agency may not employ a person in a temporary capacity if it knows or reasonably should have known that the person has been convicted of a crime under the laws of this State, has been convicted in another state of any crime that is a crime under the laws of this State, has been convicted of any crime in a federal court, or has been posted as an unapproved applicant by the Department. Notice by the Department to the agency, via certified mail, personal delivery, electronic mail, or posting on the Department's Internet site accessible to the agency that the person has been convicted of a crime shall be deemed constructive knowledge of the conviction on the part of the agency. The Department may adopt rules to implement this subsection (k).

(l) No person may be employed under this Section in any capacity if:

(1) the person, while so employed, is being paid by the United States or any political subdivision for the time so employed in addition to any payments he or she may receive from the employer; or

(2) the person wears any portion of his or her official uniform, emblem of authority, or equipment while so employed.

(m) If information is discovered affecting the registration of a person whose fingerprints were submitted under this Section, the Department shall so notify the agency that submitted the fingerprints on behalf of that person.

(n) Peace officers shall be exempt from the requirements of this Section relating to permanent employee registration cards. The agency shall remain responsible for any peace officer employed under this exemption, regardless of whether the peace officer is compensated as an employee or as an independent contractor and as further defined by rule.

(o) Persons who have no access to confidential or security information and who otherwise do not provide traditional security services are exempt from employee registration. Examples of exempt employees include, but are not limited to, employees working in the capacity of ushers, directors, ticket takers, cashiers, drivers, and reception personnel. Confidential or security information is that which pertains to employee files, scheduling, client contracts, or technical security and alarm data.

(Source: P.A. 93-438, eff. 8-5-03; revised 10-18-05.)

(225 ILCS 447/35-35)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 35-35. Requirement of a firearm authorization card.

(a) No person shall perform duties that include the use, carrying, or possession of a firearm in the performance of those duties without complying with the provisions of this Section and having been issued a valid firearm authorization card by the Department.

(b) No employer shall employ any person to perform the duties for which employee registration is required and allow that person to carry a firearm unless that person has complied with all the firearm training requirements of this Section and has been issued a firearm authorization card. This Act permits only the following to carry firearms while actually engaged in the performance of their duties or while commuting directly to or from their places of employment: persons licensed as private detectives and their registered employees; persons licensed as private security contractors and their registered employees; persons licensed as private alarm contractors and their registered employees; and employees of a registered armed proprietary security force.

(c) Possession of a valid firearm authorization card allows an employee to carry a firearm not otherwise prohibited by law while the employee is engaged in the performance of his or her duties or while the employee is commuting directly to or from the employee's place or places of employment, provided that this is accomplished within one hour from departure from home or place of employment.

(d) The Department shall issue a firearm authorization card to a person who has passed an approved firearm training course, who is currently employed by an agency licensed by this Act and has met all the requirements of this Act, and who possesses a valid firearm owner identification card. Application for the firearm authorization card shall be made by the employer to the Department on forms provided by the Department. The Department shall forward the card to the employer who shall be responsible for its issuance to the employee. The firearm authorization card shall be issued by the Department and shall identify the person holding it and the name of the course where the employee received firearm instruction and shall specify the type of weapon or weapons the person is authorized by the Department to carry and for which the person has been trained.

(e) Expiration and requirements for renewal of firearm authorization cards shall be determined by rule.

(f) The Department may, in addition to any other disciplinary action permitted by this Act, refuse to issue, suspend, or revoke a firearm authorization card if the applicant or holder has been convicted of any felony or crime involving the illegal use, carrying, or possession of a deadly weapon or for a violation of this Act or rules promulgated under this Act. The Department shall refuse to issue or shall revoke a firearm authorization card if the applicant or holder fails to possess a valid firearm owners identification card. The Director shall summarily suspend a firearm authorization card if the Director finds that its continued use would constitute an imminent danger to the public. A hearing shall be held before the Board within 30 days if the Director summarily suspends a firearm authorization card.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act to the contrary, all requirements relating to firearms authorization cards do not apply to a peace officer.

(h) The Department shall not issue a firearm authorization card to employees of a licensed fingerprint vendor agency.

(Source: P.A. 93-438, eff. 8-5-03.)

(225 ILCS 447/40-5)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 40-5. Injunctive relief. The practice of a private detective, private security contractor, private alarm contractor, fingerprint vendor agency, locksmith, private detective agency, private security contractor agency, private alarm contractor agency, fingerprint vendor agency, or locksmith agency by any person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that has not been issued a license by the Department or whose license has been suspended, revoked, or not renewed is hereby declared to be inimical to the public safety and welfare and to constitute a public nuisance. The Director, through the Attorney General, the State's Attorney of any county, any resident of the State, or any legal entity within the State may apply for injunctive relief in any court to enjoin any person, firm, or other entity that has not been issued a license or whose license has been suspended, revoked, or not renewed from conducting a licensed activity. Upon the filing of a verified petition in court, if satisfied by affidavit or otherwise that the person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity is or has been conducting activities in violation of this Act, the court may enter a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, without bond, enjoining the defendant from further activity. A copy of the verified complaint shall be served upon the defendant and the proceedings shall be conducted as in civil cases. If it is established the defendant has been or is conducting activities in violation of this Act, the court may enter a judgment enjoining the defendant from that activity. In case of violation of any injunctive order or judgment entered under this Section, the court may punish the offender for contempt of court. Injunctive proceedings shall be in addition to all other penalties under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-438, eff. 8-5-03.)

(225 ILCS 447/40-10)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 40-10. Disciplinary sanctions.

(a) The Department may deny issuance, refuse to renew, or restore or may reprimand, place on probation, suspend, or revoke any license, registration, permanent employee registration card, or firearm authorization card, and it may impose a fine not to exceed $1,500 for a first violation and not to exceed $5,000 for a second or subsequent violation for any of the following:

(1) Fraud or deception in obtaining or renewing of a license or registration.

(2) Professional incompetence as manifested by poor standards of service.

(3) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(4) Conviction in Illinois or another state of any crime that is a felony under the laws of Illinois; a felony in a federal court; a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty; or directly related to professional practice.

(5) Performing any services in a grossly negligent manner or permitting any of a licensee's employees to perform services in a grossly negligent manner, regardless of whether actual damage to the public is established.

(6) Continued practice, although the person has become unfit to practice due to any of the following:

(A) Physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skills that results in the inability to serve the public with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(B) Mental disability demonstrated by the entry of an order or judgment by a court that a person is in need of mental treatment or is incompetent.

(C) Addiction to or dependency on alcohol or drugs that is likely to endanger the public. If the Department has reasonable cause to believe that a person is addicted to or dependent on alcohol or drugs that may endanger the public, the Department may require the person to undergo an examination to determine the extent of the addiction or dependency.

(7) Receiving, directly or indirectly, compensation for any services not rendered.

(8) Willfully deceiving or defrauding the public on a material matter.

(9) Failing to account for or remit any moneys or documents coming into the licensee's possession that belong to another person or entity.

(10) Discipline by another United States jurisdiction or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Act.

(11) Giving differential treatment to a person that is to that person's detriment because of race, color, creed, sex, religion, or national origin.

(12) Engaging in false or misleading advertising.

(13) Aiding, assisting, or willingly permitting another person to violate this Act or rules promulgated under it.

(14) Performing and charging for services without authorization to do so from the person or entity serviced.

(15) Directly or indirectly offering or accepting any benefit to or from any employee, agent, or fiduciary without the consent of the latter's employer or principal with intent to or the understanding that this action will influence his or her conduct in relation to his or her employer's or principal's affairs.

(16) Violation of any disciplinary order imposed on a licensee by the Department.

(17) Failing to comply with any provision of this Act or rule promulgated under it.

(18) Conducting an agency without a valid license.

(19) Revealing confidential information, except as required by law, including but not limited to information available under Section 2-123 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

(20) Failing to make available to the Department, upon request, any books, records, or forms required by this Act.

(21) Failing, within 30 days, to respond to a written request for information from the Department.

(22) Failing to provide employment information or experience information required by the Department regarding an applicant for licensure.

(23) Failing to make available to the Department at the time of the request any indicia of licensure or registration issued under this Act.

(24) Purporting to be a licensee-in-charge of an agency without active participation in the agency.

(b) The Department shall seek to be consistent in the application of disciplinary sanctions.

(c) The Department shall adopt rules that set forth standards of service for the following: (i) acceptable error rate in the transmission of fingerprint images and other data to the Department of State Police; (ii) acceptable error rate in the collection and documentation of information used to generate fingerprint work orders; and (iii) any other standard of service that affects fingerprinting services as determined by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 93-438, eff. 8-5-03.)

(225 ILCS 447/45-50)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 45-50. Unlicensed practice; fraud in obtaining a license.

(a) A person who violates any of the following provisions shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor; a person who commits a second or subsequent violation of these provisions is guilty of a Class 4 felony:

(1) The practice of or attempted practice of or holding out as available to practice as a private detective, private security contractor, private alarm contractor, fingerprint vendor, or locksmith without a license.

(2) Operation of or attempt to operate a private detective agency, private security contractor agency, private alarm contractor agency, fingerprint vendor agency, or locksmith agency without ever having been issued a valid agency license.

(3) The obtaining of or the attempt to obtain any license or authorization issued under this Act by fraudulent misrepresentation.

(b) Whenever a licensee is convicted of a felony related to the violations set forth in this Section, the clerk of the court in any jurisdiction shall promptly report the conviction to the Department and the Department shall immediately revoke any license as a private detective, private security contractor, private alarm contractor, fingerprint vendor, or locksmith held by that licensee. The individual shall not be eligible for licensure under this Act until at least 10 years have elapsed since the time of full discharge from any sentence imposed for a felony conviction. If any person in making any oath or affidavit required by this Act swears falsely, the person is guilty of perjury and may be punished accordingly.

(c) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a person who violates any provision of this Section shall pay a civil penalty to the Department in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for each offense, as determined by the Department. The civil penalty shall be imposed in accordance with this Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-438, eff. 8-5-03.)

(225 ILCS 447/50-10)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 50-10. The Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Board.

(a) The Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Board shall consist of 12 11 members appointed by the Director and comprised of 2 licensed private detectives, 3 licensed private security contractors, 2 licensed private alarm contractors, 1 licensed fingerprint vendor, 2 licensed locksmiths, one public member who is not licensed or registered under this Act and who has no connection with a business licensed under this Act, and one member representing the employees registered under this Act. Each member shall be a resident of Illinois. Except for the initial appointment of a licensed fingerprint vendor after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, each Each licensed member shall have at least 5 years experience as a licensee in the professional area in which the person is licensed and be in good standing and actively engaged in that profession. In making appointments, the Director shall consider the recommendations of the professionals and the professional organizations representing the licensees. The membership shall reasonably reflect the different geographic areas in Illinois.

(b) Members shall serve 4 year terms and may serve until their successors are appointed. No member shall serve for more than 2 successive terms. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made in the same manner as the original appointments for the unexpired portion of the vacated term. Members of the Board in office on the effective date of this Act pursuant to the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 1993 shall serve for the duration of their terms and may be appointed for one additional term.

(c) A member of the Board may be removed for cause. A member subject to formal disciplinary proceedings shall disqualify himself or herself from all Board business until the charge is resolved. A member also shall disqualify himself or herself from any matter on which the member cannot act objectively.

(d) Members shall receive compensation as set by law. Each member shall receive reimbursement as set by the Governor's Travel Control Board for expenses incurred in carrying out the duties as a Board member.

(e) A majority of Board members constitutes a quorum. A majority vote of the quorum is required for a decision.

(f) The Board shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson.

(g) Board members are not liable for their acts, omissions, decisions, or other conduct in connection with their duties on the Board, except those determined to be willful, wanton, or intentional misconduct.

(h) The Board may recommend policies, procedures, and rules relevant to the administration and enforcement of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-438, eff. 8-5-03.)

(225 ILCS 447/50-25)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2014)

Sec. 50-25. Home rule. Pursuant to paragraph (h) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, the power to regulate the private detective, private security, private alarm, fingerprint vending, or locksmith business or their employees shall be exercised exclusively by the State and may not be exercised by any unit of local government, including home rule units.

(Source: P.A. 93-438, eff. 8-5-03.)

Section 25. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by changing Section 10-4 as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/10-4) (from Ch. 23, par. 10-4)

Sec. 10-4. Notification of Support Obligation. The administrative enforcement unit within the authorized area of its operation shall notify each responsible relative of an applicant or recipient, or responsible relatives of other persons given access to the child support enforcement services of this Article, of his legal obligation to support and shall request such information concerning his financial status as may be necessary to determine whether he is financially able to provide such support, in whole or in part. In cases involving a child born out of wedlock, the notification shall include a statement that the responsible relative has been named as the biological father of the child identified in the notification.

In the case of applicants, the notification shall be sent as soon as practical after the filing of the application. In the case of recipients, the notice shall be sent at such time as may be established by rule of the Illinois Department.

The notice shall be accompanied by the forms or questionnaires provided in Section 10-5. It shall inform the relative that he may be liable for reimbursement of any support furnished from public aid funds prior to determination of the relative's financial circumstances, as well as for future support. In the alternative, when support is sought on behalf of applicants for or recipients of financial aid under Article IV of this Code and other persons who are given access to the child support enforcement services of this Article as provided in Section 10-1, the notice shall inform the relative that the relative may be required to pay support for a period before the date an administrative support order is entered, as well as future support.

Neither the mailing nor receipt of such notice shall be deemed a jurisdictional requirement for the subsequent exercise of the investigative procedures undertaken by an administrative enforcement unit or the entry of any order or determination of paternity or support or reimbursement by the administrative enforcement unit; except that notice shall be served by certified mail addressed to the responsible relative at his or her last known address, return receipt requested, or by a person who is licensed or registered as a private detective under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 or by a registered employee of a private detective agency certified under that Act, or in counties with a population of less than 2,000,000 by any method provided by law for service of summons, in cases where a determination of paternity or support by default is sought on behalf of applicants for or recipients of financial aid under Article IV of this Act and other persons who are given access to the child support enforcement services of this Article as provided in Section 10-1.

(Source: P.A. 94-92, eff. 6-30-05.)

Section 30. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Section 2-123 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/2-123) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2-123)

Sec. 2-123. Sale and Distribution of Information.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the Secretary may make the driver's license, vehicle and title registration lists, in part or in whole, and any statistical information derived from these lists available to local governments, elected state officials, state educational institutions, and all other governmental units of the State and Federal Government requesting them for governmental purposes. The Secretary shall require any such applicant for services to pay for the costs of furnishing such services and the use of the equipment involved, and in addition is empowered to establish prices and charges for the services so furnished and for the use of the electronic equipment utilized.

(b) The Secretary is further empowered to and he may, in his discretion, furnish to any applicant, other than listed in subsection (a) of this Section, vehicle or driver data on a computer tape, disk, other electronic format or computer processable medium, or printout at a fixed fee of $250 for orders received before October 1, 2003 and $500 for orders received on or after October 1, 2003, in advance, and require in addition a further sufficient deposit based upon the Secretary of State's estimate of the total cost of the information requested and a charge of $25 for orders received before October 1, 2003 and $50 for orders received on or after October 1, 2003, per 1,000 units or part thereof identified or the actual cost, whichever is greater. The Secretary is authorized to refund any difference between the additional deposit and the actual cost of the request. This service shall not be in lieu of an abstract of a driver's record nor of a title or registration search. This service may be limited to entities purchasing a minimum number of records as required by administrative rule. The information sold pursuant to this subsection shall be the entire vehicle or driver data list, or part thereof. The information sold pursuant to this subsection shall not contain personally identifying information unless the information is to be used for one of the purposes identified in subsection (f-5) of this Section. Commercial purchasers of driver and vehicle record databases shall enter into a written agreement with the Secretary of State that includes disclosure of the commercial use of the information to be purchased.

(b-1) The Secretary is further empowered to and may, in his or her discretion, furnish vehicle or driver data on a computer tape, disk, or other electronic format or computer processible medium, at no fee, to any State or local governmental agency that uses the information provided by the Secretary to transmit data back to the Secretary that enables the Secretary to maintain accurate driving records, including dispositions of traffic cases. This information may be provided without fee not more often than once every 6 months.

(c) Secretary of State may issue registration lists. The Secretary of State shall compile and publish, at least annually, a list of all registered vehicles. Each list of registered vehicles shall be arranged serially according to the registration numbers assigned to registered vehicles and shall contain in addition the names and addresses of registered owners and a brief description of each vehicle including the serial or other identifying number thereof. Such compilation may be in such form as in the discretion of the Secretary of State may seem best for the purposes intended.

(d) The Secretary of State shall furnish no more than 2 current available lists of such registrations to the sheriffs of all counties and to the chiefs of police of all cities and villages and towns of 2,000 population and over in this State at no cost. Additional copies may be purchased by the sheriffs or chiefs of police at the fee of $500 each or at the cost of producing the list as determined by the Secretary of State. Such lists are to be used for governmental purposes only.

(e) (Blank).

(e-1) (Blank).

(f) The Secretary of State shall make a title or registration search of the records of his office and a written report on the same for any person, upon written application of such person, accompanied by a fee of $5 for each registration or title search. The written application shall set forth the intended use of the requested information. No fee shall be charged for a title or registration search, or for the certification thereof requested by a government agency. The report of the title or registration search shall not contain personally identifying information unless the request for a search was made for one of the purposes identified in subsection (f-5) of this Section. The report of the title or registration search shall not contain highly restricted personal information unless specifically authorized by this Code.

The Secretary of State shall certify a title or registration record upon written request. The fee for certification shall be $5 in addition to the fee required for a title or registration search. Certification shall be made under the signature of the Secretary of State and shall be authenticated by Seal of the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State may notify the vehicle owner or registrant of the request for purchase of his title or registration information as the Secretary deems appropriate.

No information shall be released to the requestor until expiration of a 10 day period. This 10 day period shall not apply to requests for information made by law enforcement officials, government agencies, financial institutions, attorneys, insurers, employers, automobile associated businesses, persons licensed as a private detective or firms licensed as a private detective agency under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004, who are employed by or are acting on behalf of law enforcement officials, government agencies, financial institutions, attorneys, insurers, employers, automobile associated businesses, and other business entities for purposes consistent with the Illinois Vehicle Code, the vehicle owner or registrant or other entities as the Secretary may exempt by rule and regulation.

Any misrepresentation made by a requestor of title or vehicle information shall be punishable as a petty offense, except in the case of persons licensed as a private detective or firms licensed as a private detective agency which shall be subject to disciplinary sanctions under Section 40-10 of the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 2004.

(f-5) The Secretary of State shall not disclose or otherwise make available to any person or entity any personally identifying information obtained by the Secretary of State in connection with a driver's license, vehicle, or title registration record unless the information is disclosed for one of the following purposes:

(1) For use by any government agency, including any court or law enforcement agency, in carrying out its functions, or any private person or entity acting on behalf of a federal, State, or local agency in carrying out its functions.

(2) For use in connection with matters of motor vehicle or driver safety and theft; motor vehicle emissions; motor vehicle product alterations, recalls, or advisories; performance monitoring of motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts, and dealers; and removal of non-owner records from the original owner records of motor vehicle manufacturers.

(3) For use in the normal course of business by a legitimate business or its agents, employees, or contractors, but only:

(A) to verify the accuracy of personal information submitted by an individual to the business or its agents, employees, or contractors; and

(B) if such information as so submitted is not correct or is no longer correct, to obtain the correct information, but only for the purposes of preventing fraud by, pursuing legal remedies against, or recovering on a debt or security interest against, the individual.

(4) For use in research activities and for use in producing statistical reports, if the personally identifying information is not published, redisclosed, or used to contact individuals.

(5) For use in connection with any civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitral proceeding in any federal, State, or local court or agency or before any self-regulatory body, including the service of process, investigation in anticipation of litigation, and the execution or enforcement of judgments and orders, or pursuant to an order of a federal, State, or local court.

(6) For use by any insurer or insurance support organization or by a self-insured entity or its agents, employees, or contractors in connection with claims investigation activities, antifraud activities, rating, or underwriting.

(7) For use in providing notice to the owners of towed or impounded vehicles.

(8) For use by any person licensed as a private detective or firm licensed as a private detective agency under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 1993, private investigative agency or security service licensed in Illinois for any purpose permitted under this subsection.

(9) For use by an employer or its agent or insurer to obtain or verify information relating to a holder of a commercial driver's license that is required under chapter 313 of title 49 of the United States Code.

(10) For use in connection with the operation of private toll transportation facilities.

(11) For use by any requester, if the requester demonstrates it has obtained the written consent of the individual to whom the information pertains.

(12) For use by members of the news media, as defined in Section 1-148.5, for the purpose of newsgathering when the request relates to the operation of a motor vehicle or public safety.

(13) For any other use specifically authorized by law, if that use is related to the operation of a motor vehicle or public safety.

(f-6) The Secretary of State shall not disclose or otherwise make available to any person or entity any highly restricted personal information obtained by the Secretary of State in connection with a driver's license, vehicle, or title registration record unless specifically authorized by this Code.

(g) 1. The Secretary of State may, upon receipt of a written request and a fee of $6 before October 1, 2003 and a fee of $12 on and after October 1, 2003, furnish to the person or agency so requesting a driver's record. Such document may include a record of: current driver's license issuance information, except that the information on judicial driving permits shall be available only as otherwise provided by this Code; convictions; orders entered revoking, suspending or cancelling a driver's license or privilege; and notations of accident involvement. All other information, unless otherwise permitted by this Code, shall remain confidential. Information released pursuant to a request for a driver's record shall not contain personally identifying information, unless the request for the driver's record was made for one of the purposes set forth in subsection (f-5) of this Section.

2. The Secretary of State shall not disclose or otherwise make available to any person or entity any highly restricted personal information obtained by the Secretary of State in connection with a driver's license, vehicle, or title registration record unless specifically authorized by this Code. The Secretary of State may certify an abstract of a driver's record upon written request therefor. Such certification shall be made under the signature of the Secretary of State and shall be authenticated by the Seal of his office.

3. All requests for driving record information shall be made in a manner prescribed by the Secretary and shall set forth the intended use of the requested information.

The Secretary of State may notify the affected driver of the request for purchase of his driver's record as the Secretary deems appropriate.

No information shall be released to the requester until expiration of a 10 day period. This 10 day period shall not apply to requests for information made by law enforcement officials, government agencies, financial institutions, attorneys, insurers, employers, automobile associated businesses, persons licensed as a private detective or firms licensed as a private detective agency under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004, who are employed by or are acting on behalf of law enforcement officials, government agencies, financial institutions, attorneys, insurers, employers, automobile associated businesses, and other business entities for purposes consistent with the Illinois Vehicle Code, the affected driver or other entities as the Secretary may exempt by rule and regulation.

Any misrepresentation made by a requestor of driver information shall be punishable as a petty offense, except in the case of persons licensed as a private detective or firms licensed as a private detective agency which shall be subject to disciplinary sanctions under Section 40-10 of the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004.

4. The Secretary of State may furnish without fee, upon the written request of a law enforcement agency, any information from a driver's record on file with the Secretary of State when such information is required in the enforcement of this Code or any other law relating to the operation of motor vehicles, including records of dispositions; documented information involving the use of a motor vehicle; whether such individual has, or previously had, a driver's license; and the address and personal description as reflected on said driver's record.

5. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the Secretary of State may furnish, without fee, information from an individual driver's record on file, if a written request therefor is submitted by any public transit system or authority, public defender, law enforcement agency, a state or federal agency, or an Illinois local intergovernmental association, if the request is for the purpose of a background check of applicants for employment with the requesting agency, or for the purpose of an official investigation conducted by the agency, or to determine a current address for the driver so public funds can be recovered or paid to the driver, or for any other purpose set forth in subsection (f-5) of this Section.

The Secretary may also furnish the courts a copy of an abstract of a driver's record, without fee, subsequent to an arrest for a violation of Section 11-501 or a similar provision of a local ordinance. Such abstract may include records of dispositions; documented information involving the use of a motor vehicle as contained in the current file; whether such individual has, or previously had, a driver's license; and the address and personal description as reflected on said driver's record.

6. Any certified abstract issued by the Secretary of State or transmitted electronically by the Secretary of State pursuant to this Section, to a court or on request of a law enforcement agency, for the record of a named person as to the status of the person's driver's license shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated and if the name appearing in such abstract is the same as that of a person named in an information or warrant, such abstract shall be prima facie evidence that the person named in such information or warrant is the same person as the person named in such abstract and shall be admissible for any prosecution under this Code and be admitted as proof of any prior conviction or proof of records, notices, or orders recorded on individual driving records maintained by the Secretary of State.

7. Subject to any restrictions contained in the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, and upon receipt of a proper request and a fee of $6 before October 1, 2003 and a fee of $12 on or after October 1, 2003, the Secretary of State shall provide a driver's record to the affected driver, or the affected driver's attorney, upon verification. Such record shall contain all the information referred to in paragraph 1 of this subsection (g) plus: any recorded accident involvement as a driver; information recorded pursuant to subsection (e) of Section 6-117 and paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of Section 6-204 of this Code. All other information, unless otherwise permitted by this Code, shall remain confidential.

(h) The Secretary shall not disclose social security numbers or any associated information obtained from the Social Security Administration except pursuant to a written request by, or with the prior written consent of, the individual except: (1) to officers and employees of the Secretary who have a need to know the social security numbers in performance of their official duties, (2) to law enforcement officials for a lawful, civil or criminal law enforcement investigation, and if the head of the law enforcement agency has made a written request to the Secretary specifying the law enforcement investigation for which the social security numbers are being sought, (3) to the United States Department of Transportation, or any other State, pursuant to the administration and enforcement of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986, (4) pursuant to the order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (5) to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid) for utilization in the child support enforcement duties assigned to that Department under provisions of the Illinois Public Aid Code after the individual has received advanced meaningful notification of what redisclosure is sought by the Secretary in accordance with the federal Privacy Act.

(i) (Blank).

(j) Medical statements or medical reports received in the Secretary of State's Office shall be confidential. No confidential information may be open to public inspection or the contents disclosed to anyone, except officers and employees of the Secretary who have a need to know the information contained in the medical reports and the Driver License Medical Advisory Board, unless so directed by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(k) All fees collected under this Section shall be paid into the Road Fund of the State Treasury, except that (i) for fees collected before October 1, 2003, $3 of the $6 fee for a driver's record shall be paid into the Secretary of State Special Services Fund, (ii) for fees collected on and after October 1, 2003, of the $12 fee for a driver's record, $3 shall be paid into the Secretary of State Special Services Fund and $6 shall be paid into the General Revenue Fund, and (iii) for fees collected on and after October 1, 2003, 50% of the amounts collected pursuant to subsection (b) shall be paid into the General Revenue Fund.

(l) (Blank).

(m) Notations of accident involvement that may be disclosed under this Section shall not include notations relating to damage to a vehicle or other property being transported by a tow truck. This information shall remain confidential, provided that nothing in this subsection (m) shall limit disclosure of any notification of accident involvement to any law enforcement agency or official.

(n) Requests made by the news media for driver's license, vehicle, or title registration information may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge, as determined by the Secretary, when the specific purpose for requesting the documents is deemed to be in the public interest. Waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest if the principal purpose of the request is to access and disseminate information regarding the health, safety, and welfare or the legal rights of the general public and is not for the principal purpose of gaining a personal or commercial benefit. The information provided pursuant to this subsection shall not contain personally identifying information unless the information is to be used for one of the purposes identified in subsection (f-5) of this Section.

(o) The redisclosure of personally identifying information obtained pursuant to this Section is prohibited, except to the extent necessary to effectuate the purpose for which the original disclosure of the information was permitted.

(p) The Secretary of State is empowered to adopt rules to effectuate this Section.

(Source: P.A. 93-32, eff. 7-1-03; 93-438, eff. 8-5-03; 93-895, eff. 1-1-05; 94-56, eff. 6-17-05; revised 12-15-05.)

Section 35. The Criminal Code of 1961 is amended by changing Section 24-2 as follows:

(720 ILCS 5/24-2) (from Ch. 38, par. 24-2)

Sec. 24-2. Exemptions.

(a) Subsections 24-1(a)(3), 24-1(a)(4) and 24-1(a)(10) and Section 24-1.6 do not apply to or affect any of the following:

(1) Peace officers, and any person summoned by a peace officer to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace, while actually engaged in assisting such officer.

(2) Wardens, superintendents and keepers of prisons, penitentiaries, jails and other institutions for the detention of persons accused or convicted of an offense, while in the performance of their official duty, or while commuting between their homes and places of employment.

(3) Members of the Armed Services or Reserve Forces of the United States or the Illinois National Guard or the Reserve Officers Training Corps, while in the performance of their official duty.

(4) Special agents employed by a railroad or a public utility to perform police functions, and guards of armored car companies, while actually engaged in the performance of the duties of their employment or commuting between their homes and places of employment; and watchmen while actually engaged in the performance of the duties of their employment.

(5) Persons licensed as private security contractors, private detectives, or private alarm contractors, or employed by an agency certified by the Department of Professional Regulation, if their duties include the carrying of a weapon under the provisions of the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004, while actually engaged in the performance of the duties of their employment or commuting between their homes and places of employment, provided that such commuting is accomplished within one hour from departure from home or place of employment, as the case may be. Persons exempted under this subdivision (a)(5) shall be required to have completed a course of study in firearms handling and training approved and supervised by the Department of Professional Regulation as prescribed by Section 28 of the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004, prior to becoming eligible for this exemption. The Department of Professional Regulation shall provide suitable documentation demonstrating the successful completion of the prescribed firearms training. Such documentation shall be carried at all times when such persons are in possession of a concealable weapon.

(6) Any person regularly employed in a commercial or industrial operation as a security guard for the protection of persons employed and private property related to such commercial or industrial operation, while actually engaged in the performance of his or her duty or traveling between sites or properties belonging to the employer, and who, as a security guard, is a member of a security force of at least 5 persons registered with the Department of Professional Regulation; provided that such security guard has successfully completed a course of study, approved by and supervised by the Department of Professional Regulation, consisting of not less than 40 hours of training that includes the theory of law enforcement, liability for acts, and the handling of weapons. A person shall be considered eligible for this exemption if he or she has completed the required 20 hours of training for a security officer and 20 hours of required firearm training, and has been issued a firearm authorization card by the Department of Professional Regulation. Conditions for the renewal of firearm authorization cards issued under the provisions of this Section shall be the same as for those cards issued under the provisions of the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. Such firearm authorization card shall be carried by the security guard at all times when he or she is in possession of a concealable weapon.

(7) Agents and investigators of the Illinois Legislative Investigating Commission authorized by the Commission to carry the weapons specified in subsections 24-1(a)(3) and 24-1(a)(4), while on duty in the course of any investigation for the Commission.

(8) Persons employed by a financial institution for the protection of other employees and property related to such financial institution, while actually engaged in the performance of their duties, commuting between their homes and places of employment, or traveling between sites or properties owned or operated by such financial institution, provided that any person so employed has successfully completed a course of study, approved by and supervised by the Department of Professional Regulation, consisting of not less than 40 hours of training which includes theory of law enforcement, liability for acts, and the handling of weapons. A person shall be considered to be eligible for this exemption if he or she has completed the required 20 hours of training for a security officer and 20 hours of required firearm training, and has been issued a firearm authorization card by the Department of Professional Regulation. Conditions for renewal of firearm authorization cards issued under the provisions of this Section shall be the same as for those issued under the provisions of the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. Such firearm authorization card shall be carried by the person so trained at all times when such person is in possession of a concealable weapon. For purposes of this subsection, "financial institution" means a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or company providing armored car services.

(9) Any person employed by an armored car company to drive an armored car, while actually engaged in the performance of his duties.

(10) Persons who have been classified as peace officers pursuant to the Peace Officer Fire Investigation Act.

(11) Investigators of the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor authorized by the board of governors of the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor to carry weapons pursuant to Section 7.06 of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor's Act.

(12) Special investigators appointed by a State's Attorney under Section 3-9005 of the Counties Code.

(12.5) Probation officers while in the performance of their duties, or while commuting between their homes, places of employment or specific locations that are part of their assigned duties, with the consent of the chief judge of the circuit for which they are employed.

(13) Court Security Officers while in the performance of their official duties, or while commuting between their homes and places of employment, with the consent of the Sheriff.

(13.5) A person employed as an armed security guard at a nuclear energy, storage, weapons or development site or facility regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission who has completed the background screening and training mandated by the rules and regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

(14) Manufacture, transportation, or sale of weapons to persons authorized under subdivisions (1) through (13.5) of this subsection to possess those weapons.

(b) Subsections 24-1(a)(4) and 24-1(a)(10) and Section 24-1.6 do not apply to or affect any of the following:

(1) Members of any club or organization organized for the purpose of practicing shooting at targets upon established target ranges, whether public or private, and patrons of such ranges, while such members or patrons are using their firearms on those target ranges.

(2) Duly authorized military or civil organizations while parading, with the special permission of the Governor.

(3) Hunters, trappers or fishermen with a license or permit while engaged in hunting, trapping or fishing.

(4) Transportation of weapons that are broken down in a non-functioning state or are not immediately accessible.

(c) Subsection 24-1(a)(7) does not apply to or affect any of the following:

(1) Peace officers while in performance of their official duties.

(2) Wardens, superintendents and keepers of prisons, penitentiaries, jails and other institutions for the detention of persons accused or convicted of an offense.

(3) Members of the Armed Services or Reserve Forces of the United States or the Illinois National Guard, while in the performance of their official duty.

(4) Manufacture, transportation, or sale of machine guns to persons authorized under subdivisions (1) through (3) of this subsection to possess machine guns, if the machine guns are broken down in a non-functioning state or are not immediately accessible.

(5) Persons licensed under federal law to manufacture any weapon from which 8 or more shots or bullets can be discharged by a single function of the firing device, or ammunition for such weapons, and actually engaged in the business of manufacturing such weapons or ammunition, but only with respect to activities which are within the lawful scope of such business, such as the manufacture, transportation, or testing of such weapons or ammunition. This exemption does not authorize the general private possession of any weapon from which 8 or more shots or bullets can be discharged by a single function of the firing device, but only such possession and activities as are within the lawful scope of a licensed manufacturing business described in this paragraph.

During transportation, such weapons shall be broken down in a non-functioning state or not immediately accessible.

(6) The manufacture, transport, testing, delivery, transfer or sale, and all lawful commercial or experimental activities necessary thereto, of rifles, shotguns, and weapons made from rifles or shotguns, or ammunition for such rifles, shotguns or weapons, where engaged in by a person operating as a contractor or subcontractor pursuant to a contract or subcontract for the development and supply of such rifles, shotguns, weapons or ammunition to the United States government or any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, when such activities are necessary and incident to fulfilling the terms of such contract.

The exemption granted under this subdivision (c)(6) shall also apply to any authorized agent of any such contractor or subcontractor who is operating within the scope of his employment, where such activities involving such weapon, weapons or ammunition are necessary and incident to fulfilling the terms of such contract.

During transportation, any such weapon shall be broken down in a non-functioning state, or not immediately accessible.

(d) Subsection 24-1(a)(1) does not apply to the purchase, possession or carrying of a black-jack or slung-shot by a peace officer.

(e) Subsection 24-1(a)(8) does not apply to any owner, manager or authorized employee of any place specified in that subsection nor to any law enforcement officer.

(f) Subsection 24-1(a)(4) and subsection 24-1(a)(10) and Section 24-1.6 do not apply to members of any club or organization organized for the purpose of practicing shooting at targets upon established target ranges, whether public or private, while using their firearms on those target ranges.

(g) Subsections 24-1(a)(11) and 24-3.1(a)(6) do not apply to:

(1) Members of the Armed Services or Reserve Forces of the United States or the Illinois National Guard, while in the performance of their official duty.

(2) Bonafide collectors of antique or surplus military ordinance.

(3) Laboratories having a department of forensic ballistics, or specializing in the development of ammunition or explosive ordinance.

(4) Commerce, preparation, assembly or possession of explosive bullets by manufacturers of ammunition licensed by the federal government, in connection with the supply of those organizations and persons exempted by subdivision (g)(1) of this Section, or like organizations and persons outside this State, or the transportation of explosive bullets to any organization or person exempted in this Section by a common carrier or by a vehicle owned or leased by an exempted manufacturer.

(g-5) Subsection 24-1(a)(6) does not apply to or affect persons licensed under federal law to manufacture any device or attachment of any kind designed, used, or intended for use in silencing the report of any firearm, firearms, or ammunition for those firearms equipped with those devices, and actually engaged in the business of manufacturing those devices, firearms, or ammunition, but only with respect to activities that are within the lawful scope of that business, such as the manufacture, transportation, or testing of those devices, firearms, or ammunition. This exemption does not authorize the general private possession of any device or attachment of any kind designed, used, or intended for use in silencing the report of any firearm, but only such possession and activities as are within the lawful scope of a licensed manufacturing business described in this subsection (g-5). During transportation, those devices shall be detached from any weapon or not immediately accessible.

(h) An information or indictment based upon a violation of any subsection of this Article need not negative any exemptions contained in this Article. The defendant shall have the burden of proving such an exemption.

(i) Nothing in this Article shall prohibit, apply to, or affect the transportation, carrying, or possession, of any pistol or revolver, stun gun, taser, or other firearm consigned to a common carrier operating under license of the State of Illinois or the federal government, where such transportation, carrying, or possession is incident to the lawful transportation in which such common carrier is engaged; and nothing in this Article shall prohibit, apply to, or affect the transportation, carrying, or possession of any pistol, revolver, stun gun, taser, or other firearm, not the subject of and regulated by subsection 24-1(a)(7) or subsection 24-2(c) of this Article, which is unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container, by the possessor of a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card.

(Source: P.A. 92-325, eff. 8-9-01; 93-438, eff. 8-5-03; 93-439, eff. 8-5-03; 93-576, eff. 1-1-04; revised 9-15-03.)

Section 40. The Code of Civil Procedure is amended by changing Section 2-202 as follows:

(735 ILCS 5/2-202) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-202)

Sec. 2-202. Persons authorized to serve process; Place of service; Failure to make return.

(a) Process shall be served by a sheriff, or if the sheriff is disqualified, by a coroner of some county of the State. A sheriff of a county with a population of less than 1,000,000 may employ civilian personnel to serve process. In counties with a population of less than 1,000,000, process may be served, without special appointment, by a person who is licensed or registered as a private detective under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 or by a registered employee of a private detective agency certified under that Act. A private detective or licensed employee must supply the sheriff of any county in which he serves process with a copy of his license or certificate; however, the failure of a person to supply the copy shall not in any way impair the validity of process served by the person. The court may, in its discretion upon motion, order service to be made by a private person over 18 years of age and not a party to the action. It is not necessary that service be made by a sheriff or coroner of the county in which service is made. If served or sought to be served by a sheriff or coroner, he or she shall endorse his or her return thereon, and if by a private person the return shall be by affidavit.

(a-5) Upon motion and in its discretion, the court may appoint as a special process server a private detective agency certified under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. Under the appointment, any employee of the private detective agency who is registered under that Act may serve the process. The motion and the order of appointment must contain the number of the certificate issued to the private detective agency by the Department of Professional Regulation under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004.

(b) Summons may be served upon the defendants wherever they may be found in the State, by any person authorized to serve process. An officer may serve summons in his or her official capacity outside his or her county, but fees for mileage outside the county of the officer cannot be taxed as costs. The person serving the process in a foreign county may make return by mail.

(c) If any sheriff, coroner, or other person to whom any process is delivered, neglects or refuses to make return of the same, the plaintiff may petition the court to enter a rule requiring the sheriff, coroner, or other person, to make return of the process on a day to be fixed by the court, or to show cause on that day why that person should not be attached for contempt of the court. The plaintiff shall then cause a written notice of the rule to be served on the sheriff, coroner, or other person. If good and sufficient cause be not shown to excuse the officer or other person, the court shall adjudge him or her guilty of a contempt, and shall impose punishment as in other cases of contempt.

(d) If process is served by a sheriff or coroner, the court may tax the fee of the sheriff or coroner as costs in the proceeding. If process is served by a private person or entity, the court may establish a fee therefor and tax such fee as costs in the proceedings.

(e) In addition to the powers stated in Section 8.1a of the Housing Authorities Act, in counties with a population of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, members of a housing authority police force may serve process for forcible entry and detainer actions commenced by that housing authority and may execute orders of possession for that housing authority.

(f) In counties with a population of 3,000,000 or more, process may be served, with special appointment by the court, by a private process server or a law enforcement agency other than the county sheriff in proceedings instituted under the Forcible Entry and Detainer Article of this Code as a result of a lessor or lessor's assignee declaring a lease void pursuant to Section 11 of the Controlled Substance and Cannabis Nuisance Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-438, eff. 8-5-03.)

Section 45. The Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act is amended by changing Section 20 as follows:

(765 ILCS 1025/20) (from Ch. 141, par. 120)

Sec. 20. Determination of claims.

(a) The State Treasurer shall consider any claim filed under this Act and may, in his discretion, hold a hearing and receive evidence concerning it. Such hearing shall be conducted by the State Treasurer or by a hearing officer designated by him. No hearings shall be held if the payment of the claim is ordered by a court, if the claimant is under court jurisdiction, or if the claim is paid under Article XXV of the Probate Act of 1975. The State Treasurer or hearing officer shall prepare a finding and a decision in writing on each hearing, stating the substance of any evidence heard by him, his findings of fact in respect thereto, and the reasons for his decision. The State Treasurer shall review the findings and decision of each hearing conducted by a hearing officer and issue a final written decision. The final decision shall be a public record. Any claim of an interest in property that is filed pursuant to this Act shall be considered and a finding and decision shall be issued by the Office of the State Treasurer in a timely and expeditious manner.

(b) If the claim is allowed, and after deducting an amount not to exceed $20 to cover the cost of notice publication and related clerical expenses, the State Treasurer shall make payment forthwith.

(c) In order to carry out the purpose of this Act, no person or company shall be entitled to a fee for discovering presumptively abandoned property until it has been in the custody of the Unclaimed Property Division of the Office of the State Treasurer for at least 24 months. Fees for discovering property that has been in the custody of that division for more than 24 months shall be limited to not more than 10% of the amount collected.

(d) A person or company attempting to collect a contingent fee for discovering, on behalf of an owner, presumptively abandoned property must be licensed as a private detective pursuant to the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 1993.

(e) This Section shall not apply to the fees of an attorney at law duly appointed to practice in a state of the United States who is employed by a claimant with regard to probate matters on a contractual basis.

(Source: P.A. 93-531, eff. 8-14-03.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.