SB1674ham002 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Rep. Joseph M. Lyons

Filed: 5/29/2007

09500SB1674ham002 LRB095 04901 MJR 37316 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 1674

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 1674, AS AMENDED, by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.675 and changing Section 8h as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.675 new)

Sec. 5.675. The Predatory Lending Database Program Fund.

(30 ILCS 105/8h)

Sec. 8h. Transfers to General Revenue Fund.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section and Section 8n of this Act, and (c), (d), or (e), notwithstanding any other State law to the contrary, the Governor may, through June 30, 2007, from time to time direct the State Treasurer and Comptroller to transfer a specified sum from any fund held by the State Treasurer to the General Revenue Fund in order to help defray the State's operating costs for the fiscal year. The total transfer under this Section from any fund in any fiscal year shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 8% of the revenues to be deposited into the fund during that fiscal year or (ii) an amount that leaves a remaining fund balance of 25% of the July 1 fund balance of that fiscal year. In fiscal year 2005 only, prior to calculating the July 1, 2004 final balances, the Governor may calculate and direct the State Treasurer with the Comptroller to transfer additional amounts determined by applying the formula authorized in Public Act 93-839 to the funds balances on July 1, 2003. No transfer may be made from a fund under this Section that would have the effect of reducing the available balance in the fund to an amount less than the amount remaining unexpended and unreserved from the total appropriation from that fund estimated to be expended for that fiscal year. This Section does not apply to any funds that are restricted by federal law to a specific use, to any funds in the Motor Fuel Tax Fund, the Intercity Passenger Rail Fund, the Hospital Provider Fund, the Medicaid Provider Relief Fund, the Teacher Health Insurance Security Fund, the Reviewing Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Fund, the Voters' Guide Fund, the Foreign Language Interpreter Fund, the Lawyers' Assistance Program Fund, the Supreme Court Federal Projects Fund, the Supreme Court Special State Projects Fund, the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund, the Good Samaritan Energy Trust Fund, the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Facility Development and Operation Fund, the Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund, or the Hospital Basic Services Preservation Fund, or to any funds to which subsection (f) of Section 20-40 of the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act applies. No transfers may be made under this Section from the Pet Population Control Fund. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, for fiscal year 2004, the total transfer under this Section from the Road Fund or the State Construction Account Fund shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 5% of the revenues to be deposited into the fund during that fiscal year or (ii) 25% of the beginning balance in the fund. For fiscal year 2005 through fiscal year 2007, no amounts may be transferred under this Section from the Road Fund, the State Construction Account Fund, the Criminal Justice Information Systems Trust Fund, the Wireless Service Emergency Fund, or the Mandatory Arbitration Fund.

In determining the available balance in a fund, the Governor may include receipts, transfers into the fund, and other resources anticipated to be available in the fund in that fiscal year.

The State Treasurer and Comptroller shall transfer the amounts designated under this Section as soon as may be practicable after receiving the direction to transfer from the Governor.

(a-5) Transfers directed to be made under this Section on or before February 28, 2006 that are still pending on May 19, 2006 (the effective date of Public Act 94-774) this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly shall be redirected as provided in Section 8n of this Act.

(b) This Section does not apply to: (i) the Ticket For The Cure Fund; (ii) any fund established under the Community Senior Services and Resources Act; or (iii) on or after January 1, 2006 (the effective date of Public Act 94-511), the Child Labor and Day and Temporary Labor Enforcement Fund.

(c) This Section does not apply to the Demutualization Trust Fund established under the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act.

(d) This Section does not apply to moneys set aside in the Illinois State Podiatric Disciplinary Fund for podiatric scholarships and residency programs under the Podiatric Scholarship and Residency Act.

(e) Subsection (a) does not apply to, and no transfer may be made under this Section from, the Pension Stabilization Fund.

(f) This Section does not apply to the Predatory Lending Database Program Fund.

(Source: P.A. 93-32, eff. 6-20-03; 93-659, eff. 2-3-04; 93-674, eff. 6-10-04; 93-714, eff. 7-12-04; 93-801, eff. 7-22-04; 93-839, eff. 7-30-04; 93-1054, eff. 11-18-04; 93-1067, eff. 1-15-05; 94-91, eff. 7-1-05; 94-120, eff. 7-6-05; 94-511, eff. 1-1-06; 94-535, eff. 8-10-05; 94-639, eff. 8-22-05; 94-645, eff. 8-22-05; 94-648, eff. 1-1-06; 94-686, eff. 11-2-05; 94-691, eff. 11-2-05; 94-726, eff. 1-20-06; 94-773, eff. 5-18-06; 94-774, eff. 5-19-06; 94-804, eff. 5-26-06; 94-839, eff. 6-6-06; revised 6-19-06.)

Section 10. The Home Equity Assurance Act is amended by changing Section 11 as follows:

(65 ILCS 95/11) (from Ch. 24, par. 1611)

Sec. 11. Guarantee Fund.

(a) Each governing commission and program created by referendum under the provisions of this Act shall maintain a guarantee fund for the purposes of paying the costs of administering the program and extending protection to members pursuant to the limitations and procedures set forth in this Act.

(b) The guarantee fund shall be raised by means of an annual tax levied on all residential property within the territory of the program having at least one, but not more than 6 dwelling units and classified by county ordinance as residential. The rate of this tax may be changed from year to year by majority vote of the governing commission but in no case shall it exceed a rate of .12% of the equalized assessed valuation of all property in the territory of the program having at least one, but not more than 6 dwelling units and classified by county ordinance as residential, or the maximum tax rate approved by the voters of the territory at the referendum which created the program or, in the case of a merged program, the maximum tax rate approved by the voters at the referendum authorizing the merger, whichever rate is lower. The commissioners shall cause the amount to be raised by taxation in each year to be certified to the county clerk in the manner provided by law, and any tax so levied and certified shall be collected and enforced in the same manner and by the same officers as those taxes for the purposes of the county and city within which the territory of the commission is located. Any such tax, when collected, shall be paid over to the proper officer of the commission who is authorized to receive and receipt for such tax. The governing commission may issue tax anticipation warrants against the taxes to be assessed for the calendar year in which the program is created and for the first full calendar year after the creation of the program.

(c) The moneys deposited in the guarantee fund shall, as nearly as practicable, be fully and continuously invested or reinvested by the governing commission in investment obligations which shall be in such amounts, and shall mature at such times, that the maturity or date of redemption at the option of the holder of such investment obligations shall coincide, as nearly as practicable, with the times at which monies will be required for the purposes of the program. For the purposes of this Section investment obligation shall mean direct general municipal, state, or federal obligations which at the time are legal investments under the laws of this State and the payment of principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by the governing body issuing them.

(d) Except as permitted by this subsection and subsection (d-5), the guarantee fund shall be used solely and exclusively for the purpose of providing guarantees to members of the particular Guaranteed Home Equity Program and for reasonable salaries, expenses, bills, and fees incurred in administering the program, and shall be used for no other purpose.

A governing commission, with no less than $4,000,000 in its guarantee fund, may, if authorized by referendum duly adopted by a majority of the voters, establish a Low Interest Home Improvement Loan Program in accordance with and subject to procedures established by a financial institution, as defined in the Illinois Banking Act. Whenever the question of creating a Low Interest Home Improvement Loan Program is initiated by resolution or ordinance of the corporate authorities of the municipality or by a petition signed by not less than 10% of the total number of registered voters of each precinct in the territory, the registered voters of which are eligible to sign the petition, it shall be the duty of the election authority having jurisdiction over the municipality to submit the question of creating the program to the electors of each precinct within the territory at the regular election specified in the resolution, ordinance, or petition initiating the question. A petition initiating a question described in this subsection shall be filed with the election authority having jurisdiction over the municipality. The petition shall be filed and objections to the petition shall be made in the manner provided in the Election Code. A resolution, ordinance, or petition initiating a question described in this subsection shall specify the election at which the question is to be submitted. The referendum on the question shall be held in accordance with the Election Code. The question shall be in substantially the following form:

"Shall the (name of the home equity program) implement a Low Interest Home Improvement Loan Program with money from the guarantee fund of the established guaranteed home equity program?"

The votes must be recorded as "Yes" or "No".

Whenever a majority of the voters on the public question approve the creation of the program as certified by the proper election authorities, the commission shall establish the program and administer the program with funds collected under the Guaranteed Home Equity Program, subject to the following conditions:

(1) At any given time, the cumulative total of all loans and loan guarantees (if applicable) issued under this program may not reduce the balance of the guarantee fund to less than $3,000,000.

(2) Only eligible applicants may apply for a loan.

(3) The loan must be used for the repair, maintenance, remodeling, alteration, or improvement of a guaranteed residence. This condition is not intended to exclude the repair, maintenance, remodeling, alteration, or improvement of a guaranteed residence's landscape. This condition is intended to exclude the demolition of a current residence. This condition is also intended to exclude the construction of a new residence.

(4) An eligible applicant may not borrow more than the amount of equity value in his or her residence.

(5) A commission must ensure that loans issued are secured with collateral that is at least equal to the amount of the loan or loan guarantee.

(6) A commission shall charge an interest rate which it determines to be below the market rate of interest generally available to the applicant.

(7) A commission may, by resolution, establish other administrative rules and procedures as are necessary to implement this program including, but not limited to, loan dollar amounts and terms. A commission may also impose on loan applicants a one-time application fee for the purpose of defraying the costs of administering the program.

(d-5) A governing commission, with no less than $4,000,000 in its guarantee fund, may, if authorized by referendum duly adopted by a majority of the voters, establish a Foreclosure Prevention Loan Fund to provide low interest emergency loans to eligible applicants that may be forced into foreclosure proceedings.

Whenever the question of creating a Foreclosure Prevention Loan Fund is initiated by resolution or ordinance of the corporate authorities of the municipality or by a petition signed by not less than 10% of the total number of registered voters of each precinct in the territory, the registered voters of which are eligible to sign the petition, it shall be the duty of the election authority having jurisdiction over the municipality to submit the question of creating the program to the electors of each precinct within the territory at the regular election specified in the resolution, ordinance, or petition initiating the question. A petition initiating a question described in this subsection shall be filed with the election authority having jurisdiction over the municipality. The petition shall be filed and objections to the petition shall be made in the manner provided in the Election Code. A resolution, ordinance, or petition initiating a question described in this subsection shall specify the election at which the question is to be submitted. The referendum on the question shall be held in accordance with the Election Code. The question shall be in substantially the following form:

"Shall the (name of the home equity program) implement a Foreclosure Prevention Loan Fund with money from the guarantee fund of the established guaranteed home equity program?"

The votes must be recorded as "Yes" or "No".

Whenever a majority of the voters on the public question approve the creation of a Foreclosure Prevention Loan Fund as certified by the proper election authorities, the commission shall establish the program and administer the program with funds collected under the Guaranteed Home Equity Program, subject to the following conditions:

(1) At any given time, the cumulative total of all loans and loan guarantees (if applicable) issued under this program may not exceed $3,000,000.

(2) Only eligible applicants may apply for a loan. The Commission may establish, by resolution, additional criteria for eligibility.

(3) The loan must be used to assist with preventing foreclosure proceedings.

(4) An eligible applicant may not borrow more than the amount of equity value in his or her residence.

(5) A commission must ensure that loans issued are secured as a second lien on the property.

(6) A commission shall charge an interest rate which it determines to be below the market rate of interest generally available to the applicant.

(7) A commission may, by resolution, establish other administrative rules and procedures as are necessary to implement this program including, but not limited to, eligibility requirements for eligible applicants, loan dollar amounts, and loan terms.

(8) A commission may also impose on loan applicants a one-time application fee for the purpose of defraying the costs of administering the program.

(e) The guarantee fund shall be maintained, invested, and expended exclusively by the governing commission of the program for whose purposes it was created. Under no circumstance shall the guarantee fund be used by any person or persons, governmental body, or public or private agency or concern other than the governing commission of the program for whose purposes it was created. Under no circumstances shall the guarantee fund be commingled with other funds or investments.

(e-1) No commissioner or family member of a commissioner, or employee or family member of an employee, may receive any financial benefit, either directly or indirectly, from the guarantee fund. Nothing in this subsection (e-1) shall be construed to prohibit payment of expenses to a commissioner in accordance with Section 4 or payment of salaries or expenses to an employee in accordance with this Section.

As used in this subsection (e-1), "family member" means a spouse, child, stepchild, parent, brother, or sister of a commissioner or a child, stepchild, parent, brother, or sister of a commissioner's spouse.

(f) An independent audit of the guarantee fund and the management of the program shall be conducted annually and made available to the public through any office of the governing commission or a public facility such as a local public library located within the territory of the program.

(Source: P.A. 91-492, eff. 1-1-00.)

Section 15. The Illinois Banking Act is amended by changing Section 48 as follows:

(205 ILCS 5/48) (from Ch. 17, par. 359)

Sec. 48. Commissioner's powers; duties. The Commissioner shall have the powers and authority, and is charged with the duties and responsibilities designated in this Act, and a State bank shall not be subject to any other visitorial power other than as authorized by this Act, except those vested in the courts, or upon prior consultation with the Commissioner, a foreign bank regulator with an appropriate supervisory interest in the parent or affiliate of a state bank. In the performance of the Commissioner's duties:

(1) The Commissioner shall call for statements from all State banks as provided in Section 47 at least one time during each calendar quarter.

(2) (a) The Commissioner, as often as the Commissioner shall deem necessary or proper, and no less frequently than 18 months following the preceding examination, shall appoint a suitable person or persons to make an examination of the affairs of every State bank, except that for every eligible State bank, as defined by regulation, the Commissioner in lieu of the examination may accept on an alternating basis the examination made by the eligible State bank's appropriate federal banking agency pursuant to Section 111 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, provided the appropriate federal banking agency has made such an examination. A person so appointed shall not be a stockholder or officer or employee of any bank which that person may be directed to examine, and shall have powers to make a thorough examination into all the affairs of the bank and in so doing to examine any of the officers or agents or employees thereof on oath and shall make a full and detailed report of the condition of the bank to the Commissioner. In making the examination the examiners shall include an examination of the affairs of all the affiliates of the bank, as defined in subsection (b) of Section 35.2 of this Act, or subsidiaries of the bank as shall be necessary to disclose fully the conditions of the subsidiaries or affiliates, the relations between the bank and the subsidiaries or affiliates and the effect of those relations upon the affairs of the bank, and in connection therewith shall have power to examine any of the officers, directors, agents, or employees of the subsidiaries or affiliates on oath. After May 31, 1997, the Commissioner may enter into cooperative agreements with state regulatory authorities of other states to provide for examination of State bank branches in those states, and the Commissioner may accept reports of examinations of State bank branches from those state regulatory authorities. These cooperative agreements may set forth the manner in which the other state regulatory authorities may be compensated for examinations prepared for and submitted to the Commissioner.

(b) After May 31, 1997, the Commissioner is authorized to examine, as often as the Commissioner shall deem necessary or proper, branches of out-of-state banks. The Commissioner may establish and may assess fees to be paid to the Commissioner for examinations under this subsection (b). The fees shall be borne by the out-of-state bank, unless the fees are borne by the state regulatory authority that chartered the out-of-state bank, as determined by a cooperative agreement between the Commissioner and the state regulatory authority that chartered the out-of-state bank.

(2.5) Whenever any State bank, any subsidiary or affiliate of a State bank, or after May 31, 1997, any branch of an out-of-state bank causes to be performed, by contract or otherwise, any bank services for itself, whether on or off its premises:

(a) that performance shall be subject to examination by the Commissioner to the same extent as if services were being performed by the bank or, after May 31, 1997, branch of the out-of-state bank itself on its own premises; and

(b) the bank or, after May 31, 1997, branch of the out-of-state bank shall notify the Commissioner of the existence of a service relationship. The notification shall be submitted with the first statement of condition (as required by Section 47 of this Act) due after the making of the service contract or the performance of the service, whichever occurs first. The Commissioner shall be notified of each subsequent contract in the same manner.

For purposes of this subsection (2.5), the term "bank services" means services such as sorting and posting of checks and deposits, computation and posting of interest and other credits and charges, preparation and mailing of checks, statements, notices, and similar items, or any other clerical, bookkeeping, accounting, statistical, or similar functions performed for a State bank, including but not limited to electronic data processing related to those bank services.

(3) The expense of administering this Act, including the expense of the examinations of State banks as provided in this Act, shall to the extent of the amounts resulting from the fees provided for in paragraphs (a), (a-2), and (b) of this subsection (3) be assessed against and borne by the State banks:

(a) Each bank shall pay to the Commissioner a Call Report Fee which shall be paid in quarterly installments equal to one-fourth of the sum of the annual fixed fee of $800, plus a variable fee based on the assets shown on the quarterly statement of condition delivered to the Commissioner in accordance with Section 47 for the preceding quarter according to the following schedule: 16¢ per $1,000 of the first $5,000,000 of total assets, 15¢ per $1,000 of the next $20,000,000 of total assets, 13¢ per $1,000 of the next $75,000,000 of total assets, 9¢ per $1,000 of the next $400,000,000 of total assets, 7¢ per $1,000 of the next $500,000,000 of total assets, and 5¢ per $1,000 of all assets in excess of $1,000,000,000, of the State bank. The Call Report Fee shall be calculated by the Commissioner and billed to the banks for remittance at the time of the quarterly statements of condition provided for in Section 47. The Commissioner may require payment of the fees provided in this Section by an electronic transfer of funds or an automatic debit of an account of each of the State banks. In case more than one examination of any bank is deemed by the Commissioner to be necessary in any examination frequency cycle specified in subsection 2(a) of this Section, and is performed at his direction, the Commissioner may assess a reasonable additional fee to recover the cost of the additional examination; provided, however, that an examination conducted at the request of the State Treasurer pursuant to the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act shall not be deemed to be an additional examination under this Section. In lieu of the method and amounts set forth in this paragraph (a) for the calculation of the Call Report Fee, the Commissioner may specify by rule that the Call Report Fees provided by this Section may be assessed semiannually or some other period and may provide in the rule the formula to be used for calculating and assessing the periodic Call Report Fees to be paid by State banks.

(a-1) If in the opinion of the Commissioner an emergency exists or appears likely, the Commissioner may assign an examiner or examiners to monitor the affairs of a State bank with whatever frequency he deems appropriate, including but not limited to a daily basis. The reasonable and necessary expenses of the Commissioner during the period of the monitoring shall be borne by the subject bank. The Commissioner shall furnish the State bank a statement of time and expenses if requested to do so within 30 days of the conclusion of the monitoring period.

(a-2) On and after January 1, 1990, the reasonable and necessary expenses of the Commissioner during examination of the performance of electronic data processing services under subsection (2.5) shall be borne by the banks for which the services are provided. An amount, based upon a fee structure prescribed by the Commissioner, shall be paid by the banks or, after May 31, 1997, branches of out-of-state banks receiving the electronic data processing services along with the Call Report Fee assessed under paragraph (a) of this subsection (3).

(a-3) After May 31, 1997, the reasonable and necessary expenses of the Commissioner during examination of the performance of electronic data processing services under subsection (2.5) at or on behalf of branches of out-of-state banks shall be borne by the out-of-state banks, unless those expenses are borne by the state regulatory authorities that chartered the out-of-state banks, as determined by cooperative agreements between the Commissioner and the state regulatory authorities that chartered the out-of-state banks.

(b) "Fiscal year" for purposes of this Section 48 is defined as a period beginning July 1 of any year and ending June 30 of the next year. The Commissioner shall receive for each fiscal year, commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 1987, a contingent fee equal to the lesser of the aggregate of the fees paid by all State banks under paragraph (a) of subsection (3) for that year, or the amount, if any, whereby the aggregate of the administration expenses, as defined in paragraph (c), for that fiscal year exceeds the sum of the aggregate of the fees payable by all State banks for that year under paragraph (a) of subsection (3), plus any amounts transferred into the Bank and Trust Company Fund from the State Pensions Fund for that year, plus all other amounts collected by the Commissioner for that year under any other provision of this Act, plus the aggregate of all fees collected for that year by the Commissioner under the Corporate Fiduciary Act, excluding the receivership fees provided for in Section 5-10 of the Corporate Fiduciary Act, and the Foreign Banking Office Act. The aggregate amount of the contingent fee thus arrived at for any fiscal year shall be apportioned amongst, assessed upon, and paid by the State banks and foreign banking corporations, respectively, in the same proportion that the fee of each under paragraph (a) of subsection (3), respectively, for that year bears to the aggregate for that year of the fees collected under paragraph (a) of subsection (3). The aggregate amount of the contingent fee, and the portion thereof to be assessed upon each State bank and foreign banking corporation, respectively, shall be determined by the Commissioner and shall be paid by each, respectively, within 120 days of the close of the period for which the contingent fee is computed and is payable, and the Commissioner shall give 20 days advance notice of the amount of the contingent fee payable by the State bank and of the date fixed by the Commissioner for payment of the fee.

(c) The "administration expenses" for any fiscal year shall mean the ordinary and contingent expenses for that year incident to making the examinations provided for by, and for otherwise administering, this Act, the Corporate Fiduciary Act, excluding the expenses paid from the Corporate Fiduciary Receivership account in the Bank and Trust Company Fund, the Foreign Banking Office Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, and the Illinois Bank Examiners' Education Foundation Act, including all salaries and other compensation paid for personal services rendered for the State by officers or employees of the State, including the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioners, all expenditures for telephone and telegraph charges, postage and postal charges, office stationery, supplies and services, and office furniture and equipment, including typewriters and copying and duplicating machines and filing equipment, surety bond premiums, and travel expenses of those officers and employees, employees, expenditures or charges for the acquisition, enlargement or improvement of, or for the use of, any office space, building, or structure, or expenditures for the maintenance thereof or for furnishing heat, light, or power with respect thereto, all to the extent that those expenditures are directly incidental to such examinations or administration. The Commissioner shall not be required by paragraphs (c) or (d-1) of this subsection (3) to maintain in any fiscal year's budget appropriated reserves for accrued vacation and accrued sick leave that is required to be paid to employees of the Commissioner upon termination of their service with the Commissioner in an amount that is more than is reasonably anticipated to be necessary for any anticipated turnover in employees, whether due to normal attrition or due to layoffs, terminations, or resignations.

(d) The aggregate of all fees collected by the Commissioner under this Act, the Corporate Fiduciary Act, or the Foreign Banking Office Act on and after July 1, 1979, shall be paid promptly after receipt of the same, accompanied by a detailed statement thereof, into the State treasury and shall be set apart in a special fund to be known as the "Bank and Trust Company Fund", except as provided in paragraph (c) of subsection (11) of this Section. All earnings received from investments of funds in the Bank and Trust Company Fund shall be deposited in the Bank and Trust Company Fund and may be used for the same purposes as fees deposited in that Fund. The amount from time to time deposited into the Bank and Trust Company Fund shall be used: (i) to offset the ordinary administrative expenses of the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate as defined in this Section or (ii) as a credit against fees under paragraph (d-1) of this subsection. Nothing in this amendatory Act of 1979 shall prevent continuing the practice of paying expenses involving salaries, retirement, social security, and State-paid insurance premiums of State officers by appropriations from the General Revenue Fund. However, the General Revenue Fund shall be reimbursed for those payments made on and after July 1, 1979, by an annual transfer of funds from the Bank and Trust Company Fund. Moneys in the Bank and Trust Company Fund may be transferred to the Professions Indirect Cost Fund, as authorized under Section 2105-300 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(d-1) Adequate funds shall be available in the Bank and Trust Company Fund to permit the timely payment of administration expenses. In each fiscal year the total administration expenses shall be deducted from the total fees collected by the Commissioner and the remainder transferred into the Cash Flow Reserve Account, unless the balance of the Cash Flow Reserve Account prior to the transfer equals or exceeds one-fourth of the total initial appropriations from the Bank and Trust Company Fund for the subsequent year, in which case the remainder shall be credited to State banks and foreign banking corporations and applied against their fees for the subsequent year. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007, the Commissioner must adopt rules to adjust regulatory fee rates to those in effect prior to the escalation in rates published in 38 Ill. Adm. Code 375 unless an audit by the Auditor General of banking regulatory oversight activities requires a different rate to be set. Any adjustments made pursuant to an Auditor General's audit must be set forth in the form of a notice to each affected entity 45 days prior to making those adjustments. The notice must contain an explanation that includes a description of the audit results pertaining to the banking industry and a description of each reason why adjustments to the regulatory fee rates are required. The amount credited to each State bank and foreign banking corporation shall be in the same proportion as the Call Report Fees paid by each for the year bear to the total Call Report Fees collected for the year. If, after a transfer to the Cash Flow Reserve Account is made or if no remainder is available for transfer, the balance of the Cash Flow Reserve Account is less than one-fourth of the total initial appropriations for the subsequent year and the amount transferred is less than 5% of the total Call Report Fees for the year, additional amounts needed to make the transfer equal to 5% of the total Call Report Fees for the year shall be apportioned amongst, assessed upon, and paid by the State banks and foreign banking corporations in the same proportion that the Call Report Fees of each, respectively, for the year bear to the total Call Report Fees collected for the year. The additional amounts assessed shall be transferred into the Cash Flow Reserve Account. For purposes of this paragraph (d-1), the calculation of the fees collected by the Commissioner shall exclude the receivership fees provided for in Section 5-10 of the Corporate Fiduciary Act.

(e) The Commissioner may upon request certify to any public record in his keeping and shall have authority to levy a reasonable charge for issuing certifications of any public record in his keeping.

(f) In addition to fees authorized elsewhere in this Act, the Commissioner may, in connection with a review, approval, or provision of a service, levy a reasonable charge to recover the cost of the review, approval, or service.

(4) Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to limit the obligation relative to examinations and reports of any State bank, deposits in which are to any extent insured by the United States or any agency thereof, nor to limit in any way the powers of the Commissioner with reference to examinations and reports of that bank.

(5) The nature and condition of the assets in or investment of any bonus, pension, or profit sharing plan for officers or employees of every State bank or, after May 31, 1997, branch of an out-of-state bank shall be deemed to be included in the affairs of that State bank or branch of an out-of-state bank subject to examination by the Commissioner under the provisions of subsection (2) of this Section, and if the Commissioner shall find from an examination that the condition of or operation of the investments or assets of the plan is unlawful, fraudulent, or unsafe, or that any trustee has abused his trust, the Commissioner shall, if the situation so found by the Commissioner shall not be corrected to his satisfaction within 60 days after the Commissioner has given notice to the board of directors of the State bank or out-of-state bank of his findings, report the facts to the Attorney General who shall thereupon institute proceedings against the State bank or out-of-state bank, the board of directors thereof, or the trustees under such plan as the nature of the case may require.

(6) The Commissioner shall have the power:

(a) To promulgate reasonable rules for the purpose of administering the provisions of this Act.

(a-5) To impose conditions on any approval issued by the Commissioner if he determines that the conditions are necessary or appropriate. These conditions shall be imposed in writing and shall continue in effect for the period prescribed by the Commissioner.

(b) To issue orders against any person, if the Commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that an unsafe or unsound banking practice has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur, if any person has violated, is violating, or is about to violate any law, rule, or written agreement with the Commissioner, or for the purpose of administering the provisions of this Act and any rule promulgated in accordance with this Act.

(b-1) To enter into agreements with a bank establishing a program to correct the condition of the bank or its practices.

(c) To appoint hearing officers to execute any of the powers granted to the Commissioner under this Section for the purpose of administering this Act and any rule promulgated in accordance with this Act and otherwise to authorize, in writing, an officer or employee of the Office of Banks and Real Estate to exercise his powers under this Act.

(d) To subpoena witnesses, to compel their attendance, to administer an oath, to examine any person under oath, and to require the production of any relevant books, papers, accounts, and documents in the course of and pursuant to any investigation being conducted, or any action being taken, by the Commissioner in respect of any matter relating to the duties imposed upon, or the powers vested in, the Commissioner under the provisions of this Act or any rule promulgated in accordance with this Act.

(e) To conduct hearings.

(7) Whenever, in the opinion of the Commissioner, any director, officer, employee, or agent of a State bank or any subsidiary or bank holding company of the bank or, after May 31, 1997, of any branch of an out-of-state bank or any subsidiary or bank holding company of the bank shall have violated any law, rule, or order relating to that bank or any subsidiary or bank holding company of the bank, shall have obstructed or impeded any examination or investigation by the Commissioner, shall have engaged in an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting the business of that bank or any subsidiary or bank holding company of the bank, or shall have violated any law or engaged or participated in any unsafe or unsound practice in connection with any financial institution or other business entity such that the character and fitness of the director, officer, employee, or agent does not assure reasonable promise of safe and sound operation of the State bank, the Commissioner may issue an order of removal. If, in the opinion of the Commissioner, any former director, officer, employee, or agent of a State bank or any subsidiary or bank holding company of the bank, prior to the termination of his or her service with that bank or any subsidiary or bank holding company of the bank, violated any law, rule, or order relating to that State bank or any subsidiary or bank holding company of the bank, obstructed or impeded any examination or investigation by the Commissioner, engaged in an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting the business of that bank or any subsidiary or bank holding company of the bank, or violated any law or engaged or participated in any unsafe or unsound practice in connection with any financial institution or other business entity such that the character and fitness of the director, officer, employee, or agent would not have assured reasonable promise of safe and sound operation of the State bank, the Commissioner may issue an order prohibiting that person from further service with a bank or any subsidiary or bank holding company of the bank as a director, officer, employee, or agent. An order issued pursuant to this subsection shall be served upon the director, officer, employee, or agent. A copy of the order shall be sent to each director of the bank affected by registered mail. The person affected by the action may request a hearing before the State Banking Board within 10 days after receipt of the order. The hearing shall be held by the Board within 30 days after the request has been received by the Board. The Board shall make a determination approving, modifying, or disapproving the order of the Commissioner as its final administrative decision. If a hearing is held by the Board, the Board shall make its determination within 60 days from the conclusion of the hearing. Any person affected by a decision of the Board under this subsection (7) of Section 48 of this Act may have the decision reviewed only under and in accordance with the Administrative Review Law and the rules adopted pursuant thereto. A copy of the order shall also be served upon the bank of which he is a director, officer, employee, or agent, whereupon he shall cease to be a director, officer, employee, or agent of that bank. The Commissioner may institute a civil action against the director, officer, or agent of the State bank or, after May 31, 1997, of the branch of the out-of-state bank against whom any order provided for by this subsection (7) of this Section 48 has been issued, and against the State bank or, after May 31, 1997, out-of-state bank, to enforce compliance with or to enjoin any violation of the terms of the order. Any person who has been the subject of an order of removal or an order of prohibition issued by the Commissioner under this subsection or Section 5-6 of the Corporate Fiduciary Act may not thereafter serve as director, officer, employee, or agent of any State bank or of any branch of any out-of-state bank, or of any corporate fiduciary, as defined in Section 1-5.05 of the Corporate Fiduciary Act, or of any other entity that is subject to licensure or regulation by the Commissioner or the Office of Banks and Real Estate unless the Commissioner has granted prior approval in writing.

For purposes of this paragraph (7), "bank holding company" has the meaning prescribed in Section 2 of the Illinois Bank Holding Company Act of 1957.

(8) The Commissioner may impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 against any person for each violation of any provision of this Act, any rule promulgated in accordance with this Act, any order of the Commissioner, or any other action which in the Commissioner's discretion is an unsafe or unsound banking practice.

(9) The Commissioner may impose civil penalties of up to $100 against any person for the first failure to comply with reporting requirements set forth in the report of examination of the bank and up to $200 for the second and subsequent failures to comply with those reporting requirements.

(10) All final administrative decisions of the Commissioner hereunder shall be subject to judicial review pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Review Law. For matters involving administrative review, venue shall be in either Sangamon County or Cook County.

(11) The endowment fund for the Illinois Bank Examiners' Education Foundation shall be administered as follows:

(a) (Blank).

(b) The Foundation is empowered to receive voluntary contributions, gifts, grants, bequests, and donations on behalf of the Illinois Bank Examiners' Education Foundation from national banks and other persons for the purpose of funding the endowment of the Illinois Bank Examiners' Education Foundation.

(c) The aggregate of all special educational fees collected by the Commissioner and property received by the Commissioner on behalf of the Illinois Bank Examiners' Education Foundation under this subsection (11) on or after June 30, 1986, shall be either (i) promptly paid after receipt of the same, accompanied by a detailed statement thereof, into the State Treasury and shall be set apart in a special fund to be known as "The Illinois Bank Examiners' Education Fund" to be invested by either the Treasurer of the State of Illinois in the Public Treasurers' Investment Pool or in any other investment he is authorized to make or by the Illinois State Board of Investment as the board of trustees of the Illinois Bank Examiners' Education Foundation may direct or (ii) deposited into an account maintained in a commercial bank or corporate fiduciary in the name of the Illinois Bank Examiners' Education Foundation pursuant to the order and direction of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Bank Examiners' Education Foundation.

(12) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 94-91, eff. 7-1-05.)

Section 20. The Illinois Savings and Loan Act of 1985 is amended by changing Sections 7-3 and 7-19.1 as follows:

(205 ILCS 105/7-3) (from Ch. 17, par. 3307-3)

Sec. 7-3. Personnel, records, files, actions and duties, etc. (a) The Commissioner shall appoint, subject to applicable provisions of the Personnel Code, a supervisor, such examiners, employees, experts and special assistants as may be necessary to carry out effectively this Act. The Commissioner shall require each supervisor, examiner, expert and special assistant employed or appointed by him to give bond, with security to be approved by the Commissioner, not less in any case than $15,000, conditioned for the faithful discharge of his duties. The premium on such bond shall be paid by the Commissioner from funds appropriated for that purpose. The bond, along with verification of payment of the premium on such bond, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State.

(b) The Commissioner shall have the following duties and powers:

(1) To exercise the rights, powers and duties set forth in this Act or in any other related Act;

(2) To establish such regulations as may be reasonable or necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Act;

(3) To direct and supervise all the administrative and technical activities of this office and create an Advisory Committee which upon request will make recommendations to him;

(4) To make an annual report regarding the work of his office as he may consider desirable to the Governor, or as the Governor may request;

(5) To cause a suit to be filed in his name to enforce any law of this State that applies to an association, subsidiary of an association, or holding company operating under this Act and shall include the enforcement of any obligation of the officers, directors or employees of any association;

(6) To prescribe a uniform manner in which the books and records of every association are to be maintained; and

(7) To establish reasonable and rationally based fee structures for each association and holding company operating under this Act and for their service corporations and subsidiaries, which fees shall include but not be limited to annual fees, application fees, regular and special examination fees, and such other fees as the Commissioner establishes and demonstrates to be directly resultant from his responsibilities under this Act and as are directly attributable to individual entities operating under this Act. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007, the Commissioner must adopt rules to adjust regulatory fee rates to those in effect prior to the escalation in rates published in 38 Ill. Adm. Code 375 unless an audit by the Auditor General of banking regulatory oversight activities requires a different rate to be set. Any adjustments made pursuant to an Auditor General's audit must be set forth in the form of a notice to each affected entity 45 days prior to making those adjustments. The notice must contain an explanation that includes a description of the audit results pertaining to the banking industry and a description of each reason why adjustments to the regulatory fee rates are required.

(Source: P.A. 85-313.)

(205 ILCS 105/7-19.1) (from Ch. 17, par. 3307-19.1)

Sec. 7-19.1. Savings and Residential Finance Regulatory Fund.

(a) The aggregate of all fees collected by the Commissioner under this Act shall be paid promptly after receipt of the same, accompanied by a detailed statement thereof, into the State treasury and shall be set apart in the Savings and Residential Finance Regulatory Fund, a special fund hereby created in the State treasury. The amounts deposited into the Fund shall be used for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Commissioner, in administering the Illinois Savings and Loan Act of 1985 and the Savings Bank Act Office of Banks and Real Estate. Nothing in this Act shall prevent continuing the practice of paying expenses involving salaries, retirement, social security, and State-paid insurance of State officers by appropriation from the General Revenue Fund.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b-5), moneys in the Savings and Residential Finance Regulatory Fund may not be appropriated, assigned, or transferred to another State fund. The moneys in the Fund shall be for the sole benefit of the institutions assessed.

(b-5) Moneys in the Savings and Residential Finance Regulatory Fund may be transferred to the Professions Indirect Cost Fund, as authorized under Section 2105-300 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(c) All earnings received from investments of funds in the Savings and Residential Finance Regulatory Fund shall be deposited into the Savings and Residential Finance Regulatory Fund and may be used for the same purposes as fees deposited into that Fund.

(d) When the amount remaining in the Savings and Residential Finance Regulatory Fund at the end of a fiscal year exceeds 25% of the total actual administrative and operational expenses incurred under the Illinois Savings and Loan Act of 1985 and the Savings Bank Act for that fiscal year, the excess must be credited to the appropriate institutions and entities and applied against their regulatory fees for the subsequent fiscal year. The amount credited to the institution or entity must be in the same proportion that the fees paid by the institution or entity for the fiscal year in which the excess is produced bears to the aggregate of the fees collected by the Commissioner under the Illinois Savings and Loan Act of 1985 and the Savings Bank Act of 1987 for the same fiscal year. For the purpose of this Section, "fiscal year" means the period beginning July 1 of any year and ending June 30 of the next calendar year.

(Source: P.A. 94-91, eff. 7-1-05.)

Section 25. The Savings Bank Act is amended by changing Section 9002 as follows:

(205 ILCS 205/9002) (from Ch. 17, par. 7309-2)

Sec. 9002. Powers of Commissioner. The Commissioner shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To exercise the rights, powers, and duties set forth in this Act or in any related Act.

(2) To establish regulations as may be reasonable or necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Act.

(3) To make an annual report regarding the work of his office under this Act as he may consider desirable to the Governor, or as the Governor may request.

(4) To cause a suit to be filed in his name to enforce any law of this State that applies to savings banks, their service corporations, subsidiaries, affiliates, or holding companies operating under this Act, including the enforcement of any obligation of the officers, directors, agents, or employees of any savings bank.

(5) To prescribe a uniform manner in which the books and records of every savings bank are to be maintained.

(6) To establish a reasonable fee structure for savings banks and holding companies operating under this Act and for their service corporations and subsidiaries. The fees shall include, but not be limited to, annual fees, application fees, regular and special examination fees, and other fees as the Commissioner establishes and demonstrates to be directly resultant from the Commissioner's responsibilities under this Act and as are directly attributable to individual entities operating under this Act. The aggregate of all fees collected by the Commissioner on and after the effective date of this Act shall be paid promptly after receipt of the same, accompanied by a detailed statement thereof, into the Savings and Residential Finance Regulatory Fund. The amounts deposited into the Fund shall be used for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Office of Banks and Real Estate. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007, the Commissioner must adopt rules to adjust regulatory fee rates to those in effect prior to the escalation in rates published in 38 Ill. Adm. Code 375 unless an audit by the Auditor General of banking regulatory oversight activities requires a different rate to be set. Any adjustments made pursuant to an Auditor General's audit must be set forth in the form of a notice to each affected entity 45 days prior to making those adjustments. The notice must contain an explanation that includes a description of the audit results pertaining to the banking industry and a description of each reason why adjustments to the regulatory fee rates are required. Nothing in this Act shall prevent continuing the practice of paying expenses involving salaries, retirement, social security, and State-paid insurance of State officers by appropriation from the General Revenue Fund.

(Source: P.A. 89-508, eff. 7-3-96.)

Section 30. The Illinois Credit Union Act is amended by changing Section 12 as follows:

(205 ILCS 305/12) (from Ch. 17, par. 4413)

Sec. 12. Regulatory fees.

(1) A credit union regulated by the Department pursuant to a regulatory fee schedule shall pay a regulatory fee to the Department based upon the credit union's its total assets as shown by its Year-end Call Report at the following rates or at a lesser rate established in a manner proportionately consistent with the following rates and that would fund the actual administrative and operational expenses of the Credit Union Section pursuant to subsection (5):

(2) The Director shall review the regulatory fee schedule in subsection (1) and the projected earnings on those fees on an annual basis and adjust the fee schedule on an annual basis. The fee schedule may be increased by no more than 5% annually if necessary to defray the actual estimated administrative and operational expenses of the Credit Union Section Department as defined in subsection (5). However, the fee schedule shall not be increased if the amount remaining in the Credit Union Fund at the end of the calendar year is equal to or greater than 25% of the actual administrative and operational expenses for the preceding year. The regulatory fee for the next calendar year shall be calculated by the Director based on the credit union's total assets as of December 31 of the preceding year. The Director shall provide credit unions with written notice of any adjustment made in the regulatory fee schedule.

(3) Not later than March 1 of each calendar year, a credit union shall pay to the Department a regulatory fee for that calendar year in accordance with the regulatory fee schedule in subsection (1), on the basis of assets as of the Year-end Call Report of the preceding year. The total annual regulatory fee shall not be less than $100 or more than $125,000 $187,500, provided that the regulatory fee cap of $125,000 $187,500 shall be adjusted to incorporate the same percentage increase as the Director makes in the regulatory fee schedule from time to time under subsection (2). No regulatory fee shall be collected from a credit union until it has been in operation for one year.

(4) The aggregate of all fees collected by the Department under this Act shall be paid promptly after they are received, accompanied by a detailed statement thereof, into the State Treasury and shall be set apart in the Credit Union Fund, a special fund hereby created in the State treasury. The amount from time to time deposited in the Credit Union Fund and shall be used to offset the actual ordinary administrative and operational expenses of the Credit Union Section Department under this Act. All earnings received from investments of funds in the Credit Union Fund shall be deposited into the Credit Union Fund and may be used for the same purposes as fees deposited into that Fund. Moneys in the Credit Union Fund may be transferred to the Professions Indirect Cost Fund, as authorized under Section 2105-300 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(5) The actual administrative and operational expenses of the Credit Union Section for any calendar year shall mean the ordinary and contingent expenses for that year incidental to making the examinations provided for by, and for administering, this Act, including all salaries and other compensation paid for personal services rendered for the State by officers or employees of the State to enforce this Act; all expenditures for telephone and telegraph charges, postage and postal charges, office supplies and services, furniture and equipment, office space and maintenance thereof, travel expenses and other necessary expenses; all to the extent that such expenditures are directly incidental to such examination or administration.

(6) When the balance in the Credit Union Fund at the end of a calendar year exceeds 25% aggregate of all fees collected by the Department under this Act and all earnings thereon for any calendar year exceeds 150% of the total actual administrative and operational expenses under this Act for that year, such excess shall be credited to credit unions and applied against their regulatory fees for the subsequent year. The amount credited to a credit union shall be in the same proportion as the fee paid by such credit union for the calendar year in which the excess is produced bears to the aggregate of the fees collected by the Department under this Act for the same year.

(7) Examination fees for the year 2000 statutory examinations paid pursuant to the examination fee schedule in effect at that time shall be credited toward the regulatory fee to be assessed the credit union in calendar year 2001.

(8) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit the General Assembly from appropriating funds to the Department from the General Revenue Fund for the purpose of administering this Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-32, eff. 7-1-03; 93-652, eff. 1-8-04; 94-91, eff. 7-1-05.)

Section 35. The Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987 is amended by changing Section 2-6 and by adding Sections 4-15, 4-16, 5-6, 5-7, 5-8, 5-9, 5-10, 5-11, 5-12, 5-14, 5-15, 5-16, 5-17, and 7-2 as follows:

(205 ILCS 635/2-6) (from Ch. 17, par. 2322-6)

Sec. 2-6. License issuance and renewal; fee.

(a) Beginning July 1, 2003, licenses shall be renewed every year on the anniversary of the date of issuance of the original license. Properly completed renewal application forms and filing fees must be received by the Commissioner 60 days prior to the renewal date.

(b) It shall be the responsibility of each licensee to accomplish renewal of its license; failure of the licensee to receive renewal forms absent a request sent by certified mail for such forms will not waive said responsibility. Failure by a licensee to submit a properly completed renewal application form and fees in a timely fashion, absent a written extension from the Commissioner, will result in the assessment of additional fees, as follows:

(1) A fee of $750 will be assessed to the licensee 30 days after the proper renewal date and $1,500 each month thereafter, until the license is either renewed or expires pursuant to Section 2-6, subsections (c) and (d), of this Act.

(2) Such fee will be assessed without prior notice to the licensee, but will be assessed only in cases wherein the Commissioner has in his or her possession documentation of the licensee's continuing activity for which the unrenewed license was issued.

(c) A license which is not renewed by the date required in this Section shall automatically become inactive. No activity regulated by this Act shall be conducted by the licensee when a license becomes inactive. The Commissioner may require the licensee to provide a plan for the disposition of any residential mortgage loans not closed or funded when the license becomes inactive. The Commissioner may allow a licensee with an inactive license to conduct activities regulated by this Act for the sole purpose of assisting borrowers in the closing or funding of loans for which the loan application was taken from a borrower while the license was active. An inactive license may be reactivated by the Commissioner upon payment of the renewal fee, and payment of a reactivation fee equal to the renewal fee.

(d) A license which is not renewed within one year of becoming inactive shall expire.

(e) A licensee ceasing an activity or activities regulated by this Act and desiring to no longer be licensed shall so inform the Commissioner in writing and, at the same time, convey the license and all other symbols or indicia of licensure. The licensee shall include a plan for the withdrawal from regulated business, including a timetable for the disposition of the business. Upon receipt of such written notice, the Commissioner shall issue a certified statement canceling the license.

(f) Each entity licensed under this Act shall pay, in addition to the license fees imposed under the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987, an additional annual fee of $300. The additional annual fee shall be deposited into the Predatory Lending Database Program Fund.

(Source: P.A. 93-32, eff. 7-1-03; 93-561, eff. 1-1-04; 93-1018, eff. 1-1-05.)

(205 ILCS 635/4-15 new)

Sec. 4-15. Enforcement and reporting provisions.

(a) The Attorney General may enforce any violation of Section 5-6, 5-7, 5-8, 5-9, 5-10, 5-11, 5-12, 5-14, or 5-15 of this Act as an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

(b) The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Department of Financial Institutions must report to the Attorney General all violations of this amendatory Act of which they become aware.

(205 ILCS 635/4-16 new)

Sec. 4-16. Private right of action. A borrower injured by a violation of the standards, duties, prohibitions, or requirements of Sections 5-6, 5-7, 5-8, 5-9, 5-10, 5-11, 5-12, 5-13, 5-14, 5-15, and 5-16 of this Act shall have a private right of action.

(a) A licensee is not liable for a violation of this Act if:

(1) within 30 days of the loan closing and prior to receiving any notice from the borrower of the violation, the licensee has made appropriate restitution to the borrower and appropriate adjustments are made to the loan; or

(2) the violation was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error in fact, notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adopted to avoid such errors, and within 60 days of the discovery of the violation and prior to receiving any notice from the borrower of the violation, the borrower is notified of the violation, appropriate restitution is made to the borrower, and appropriate adjustments are made to the loan.

(b) The remedies and rights provided for in this Act are not exclusive, but cumulative, and all other applicable claims are specifically preserved.

(205 ILCS 635/5-6 new)

Sec. 5-6. Verification of borrower's ability to repay.

(a) No licensee may make, provide, or arrange for a residential mortgage loan without verifying the borrower's reasonable ability to pay the principal and interest on the loan, real estate taxes, homeowner's insurance, assessments, and mortgage insurance premiums, if applicable.

For residential mortgage loans in which the interest rate may vary, the reasonable ability to pay the principal and interest on the loan shall be determined based on a fully indexed rate, which rate shall be calculated by using the index rate prevailing at the time of origination of the loan plus the margin that will apply when calculating the adjustable rate under the terms of the loan, assuming a fully amortizing repayment schedule based on the term of the loan.

For loans that allow for negative amortization, the principal amount of the loan shall be calculated by including the maximum amount the principal balance may increase due to negative amortization under the terms of the loan.

(b) For all residential mortgage loans made by a licensee, the borrower's income and financial resources must be verified by tax returns, payroll receipts, bank records, or other similarly reliable documents. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to limit a licensee's ability to rely on criteria other than the borrower's income and financial resources to establish the borrower's reasonable ability to repay a residential mortgage loan; however, such other criteria must be verified through reasonably reliable methods and documentation. A statement by the borrower to the licensee of the borrower's income and resources is not sufficient to establish the existence of the income or resources when verifying the reasonable ability to pay.

(205 ILCS 635/5-7 new)

Sec. 5-7. Broker agency relationship.

(a) A mortgage broker shall be considered to have created an agency relationship with the borrower in all cases and shall comply with the following duties:

(1) mortgage brokers shall act in the borrower's best interest and in the utmost good faith toward borrowers, and shall not compromise a borrower's right or interest in favor of another's right or interest, including a right or interest of the mortgage broker. A mortgage broker shall not accept, give, or charge any undisclosed compensation or realize any undisclosed remuneration, either through direct or indirect means, that inures to the benefit of the mortgage broker on an expenditure made for the borrower;

(2) mortgage brokers shall carry out all lawful instructions given by borrowers;

(3) mortgage brokers shall disclose to borrowers all material facts of which the mortgage broker has knowledge which might reasonably affect the borrower's rights, interests, or ability, or both, to receive the borrower's intended benefit from the residential mortgage loan, but not facts which are reasonably susceptible to the knowledge of the borrower;

(4) mortgage brokers shall use reasonable care in performing duties; and

(5) mortgage brokers shall account to a borrower for all the borrower's money and property received as agent.

(b) Nothing in this Section prohibits a mortgage broker from contracting for or collecting a fee for services rendered and which had been disclosed to the borrower in advance of the provision of those services.

(c) Nothing in this Section requires a mortgage broker to obtain a loan containing terms or conditions not available to the mortgage broker in the mortgage broker's usual course of business, or to obtain a loan for the borrower from a mortgage lender with whom the mortgage broker does not have a business relationship.

(205 ILCS 635/5-8 new)

Sec. 5-8. Prepayment penalties.

(a) No licensee may make, provide, or arrange a mortgage loan with a prepayment penalty unless the licensee offers the borrower a loan without a prepayment penalty, the offer is in writing, and the borrower initials the offer to indicate that the borrower has declined the offer. In addition, the licensee must disclose the discount in rate received in consideration for a mortgage loan with the prepayment penalty.

(b) If a borrower declines an offer required under subsection (a) of this Section, the licensee may include a prepayment penalty that extends no longer than three years or the first change date or rate adjustment of a variable rate mortgage, whichever comes earlier, provided that, if a prepayment is made during the fixed rate period, the licensee shall receive an amount that is no more than:

(1) 3% of the total loan amount if the prepayment is made within the first 12 month period following the date the loan was made;

(2) 2% of the total loan amount if the prepayment is made within the second 12-month period following the date the loan was made; or

(3) 1% of the total loan amount if the prepayment is made within the third 12- month period following the date the loan was made, if the fixed rate period extends 3 years.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision in this Section, prepayment penalties are prohibited in connection with the sale or destruction of a dwelling secured by a residential mortgage loan.

(d) This Section applies to loans made, refinanced, renewed, extended, or modified on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly.

(205 ILCS 635/5-9 new)

Sec. 5-9. Notice of change in loan terms.

(a) No licensee may fail to do either of the following:

(1) Provide timely notice to the borrower of any material change in the terms of the residential mortgage loan prior to the closing of the loan. For purposes of this Section, a "material change means" any of the following:

(A) A change in the type of loan being offered, such as a fixed or variable rate loan or a loan with a balloon payment.

(B) A change in the term of the loan, as reflected in the number of monthly payments due before a final payment is scheduled to be made.

(C) An increase in the interest rate of more than 0.15%, or an equivalent increase in the amount of discount points charged.

(D) An increase in the regular monthly payment of principal and interest of more than 5%.

(E) A change regarding the requirement or amount of escrow of taxes or insurance.

(F) A change regarding the requirement or payment, or both, of private mortgage insurance.

(2) Timely inform the borrower if any fees payable by the borrower to the licensee increase by more than 10% or $100, whichever is greater.

(b) The disclosures required by this Section shall be deemed timely if the licensee provides the borrower with the revised information not later than 3 days after learning of the change or 24 hours before the residential mortgage loan is closed, whichever is earlier. If the licensee discloses a material change more than the 3 days after learning of the change but still 24 hours before the residential mortgage loan is closed, it will not be liable for penalties or forfeitures if the licensee cures in time for the borrower to avoid any damage.

(c) If an increase in the total amount of the fee to be paid by the borrower to the broker is not disclosed in accordance with this Section, the broker shall refund to the borrower the amount by which the fee was increased. If the fee is financed into the residential mortgage loan, the broker shall also refund to the borrower the interest charged to finance the fee.

(205 ILCS 635/5-10 new)

Sec. 5-10. Comparable monthly payment quotes. When comparing different loans, the licensee must not state or imply that monthly loan payments, if they include amounts escrowed for payment of property taxes and homeowner's insurance, are comparable with monthly loan payments that do not include these amounts.

(205 ILCS 635/5-11 new)

Sec. 5-11. Requirement to provide borrower with a copy of all appraisals. Licensees must provide to the borrower a complete copy of any appraisal, including any appraisal generated using the Automated Valuation Model, obtained by the lender for use in underwriting the residential mortgage loan within 3 business days of receipt by the licensee, but in no event less than 24 hours prior to the day of closing. The appraisal may be sent via first class mail, commercial carrier, by facsimile or by e-mail, if the borrower has supplied an email address.

(205 ILCS 635/5-12 new)

Sec. 5-12. Disclosure of refinancing options. If the subject of a future loan is discussed by a licensee making, providing, or arranging a mortgage loan, the licensee shall disclose the circumstances under which a new loan could be considered. Such disclosure shall clearly state that it is not a contract and that the licensee is not representing or promising that a new loan could or would be made at any time in the future.

(205 ILCS 635/5-14 new)

Sec. 5-14. Prohibition on equity stripping and loan flipping. No licensee may engage in equity stripping or loan flipping, as those terms are defined in the Illinois Fairness in Lending Act.

(205 ILCS 635/5-15 new)

Sec. 5-15. Prohibition on financing certain insurance premiums. No licensee may make, provide, or arrange for a residential mortgage loan that finances, directly or indirectly, any credit life, credit disability, or credit unemployment insurance; however, insurance premiums calculated and paid on a monthly basis shall not be considered to be financed by the lender.

(205 ILCS 635/5-16 new)

Sec. 5-16. Prohibition on encouraging default. A licensee may not recommend or encourage default or the failure to make timely payments on an existing residential mortgage loan or other debt prior to and in connection with the closing or planned closing of a residential mortgage loan that refinances all or any portion of the existing loan or debt.

(205 ILCS 635/5-17 new)

Sec. 5-17. Severability. If any provision of this Act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity of that provision or application does not affect other provisions or applications of this Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

(205 ILCS 635/7-2 new)

Sec. 7-2. Continuing education required; course review. Before the end of fiscal year 2009, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall adopt rules as to the required yearly continuing education of loan originators who are required to register under Section 7-1 of this Act. All continuing education courses and the providers of continuing education courses shall be approved by the Secretary pursuant to this Section. Continuing education courses and the providers of continuing education courses shall be subject to a review by a panel appointed by the Secretary. The panel shall consist of no less than 5 persons appointed by the Secretary. Two of the members of the panel shall be representatives of major trade associations representing the mortgage industry. The Secretary shall consider the recommendations of the panel prior to approving or disapproving continuing education courses or the providers of continuing education courses.

Section 45. The Residential Real Property Disclosure Act is amended by changing Sections 70, 72, and 74 and adding Sections 73, 78, and 80 as follows:

(765 ILCS 77/70)

Sec. 70. Predatory lending database pilot program.

(a) As used in this Article:

"Adjustable rate mortgage" or "ARM" means a closed end mortgage transaction that allows adjustments of the loan interest rate during the first 5 years of the loan term.

"Borrower" means a person seeking a mortgage loan.

"Broker" means a "broker" or "loan broker", as defined in subsection (p) of Section 1-4 of the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987.

"Closing agent" means an individual assigned by a title insurance company or a broker or originator to ensure that the execution of documents related to the closing of a real estate sale or the refinancing of a real estate loan and the disbursement of closing funds are in conformity with the instructions of the entity financing the transaction.

"Counseling" means in-person counseling provided by a counselor employed by a HUD-certified counseling agency to all borrowers, or documented telephone counseling where a hardship would be imposed on one or more borrowers. A hardship shall exist in instances in which the borrower is confined to his or her home due to medical conditions, as verified in writing by a physician, or the borrower resides 50 miles or more from the nearest participating HUD-certified housing counseling agency. In instances of telephone counseling, the borrower must supply all necessary documents to the counselor at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled telephone counseling session.

"Counselor" means a counselor employed by a HUD-certified housing counseling agency.

"Credit score" means a credit risk score as defined by the Fair Isaac Corporation, or its successor, and reported under such names as "BEACON", "EMPIRICA", and "FAIR ISAAC RISK SCORE" by one or more of the following credit reporting agencies or their successors: Equifax, Inc., Experian Information Solutions, Inc., and TransUnion LLC.

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Exempt person" means that term as it is defined in subsections (d)(1) and (d)(1.5) of Section 1-4 of the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987.

"First-time homebuyer" means a borrower who has not held an ownership interest in residential property.

"HUD-certified counseling" or "counseling" means counseling given to a borrower by a counselor employed by a HUD-certified housing counseling agency.

"Interest only" means a loan that permits one or more payments of interest without any reduction of the principal balance of the loan.

"Lender" means that term as it is defined in subsection (g) of Section 1-4 of the Residential Mortgage License Act.

"Licensee" means that term as it is defined in subsection (e) of Section 1-4 of the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987.

"Mortgage loan" means that term as it is defined in subsection (f) of Section 1-4 of the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987.

"Negative amortization" means an amortization method under which the outstanding balance may increase at any time over the course of the loan because the regular periodic payment does not cover the full amount of interest due.

"Originator" means a "loan originator" as defined in subsection (hh) of Section 1-4 of the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987, except an exempt person.

"Pilot program area" means all areas within Cook County designated as such by the Department due to the high rate of foreclosure on residential home mortgages that is primarily the result of predatory lending practices. The Department shall designate the pilot program area within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.

"Points and fees" has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 10 of the High Risk Home Loan Act.

"Prepayment penalty" means a charge imposed by a lender under a mortgage note or rider when the loan is paid before the expiration of the term of the loan.

"Refinancing" means a loan secured by the borrower's or borrowers' primary residence where the proceeds are not used as purchase money for the residence.

"Stated income" means an income figure provided by the borrower and not verified by tax returns, payroll receipts, bank records, or other similarly reliable documents. A statement made by the borrower to the licensee of the borrower's income and resources is not sufficient to establish the existence of the income or resources.

"Title insurance company" means any domestic company organized under the laws of this State for the purpose of conducting the business of guaranteeing or insuring titles to real estate and any title insurance company organized under the laws of another State, the District of Columbia, or a foreign government and authorized to transact the business of guaranteeing or insuring titles to real estate in this State.

(a-5) A predatory lending database program is established within Cook County. The program shall be administered in accordance with this Article. The inception date of the program shall be: (1) November 1, 2007 in the first assessment district established under clause (i) of subsection (b) of Section 9-220 of the Property Tax Code; (2) May 1, 2008 in the second assessment district established under clause (ii) of subsection (b) of Section 9-220 of the Property Tax Code; (3) November 1, 2008 in the third assessment district established under clause (iii) of subsection (b) of Section 9-220 of the Property Tax Code. Inception date. The Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation shall declare in writing the date of inception of the pilot program. The inception date shall be no later than September 1, 2006, and shall be at least 30 days after the date the Secretary issues a declaration establishing that date. The Secretary's declaration shall be posted on the Department's website, and the Department shall communicate the declaration to affected licensees of the Department. Until the inception date, none of the duties, obligations, contingencies, or consequences of or from the pilot program shall be imposed. The pilot program shall apply to all mortgage applications that are governed by this Article and that are made or taken on or after the inception of the pilot program.

(b) A predatory lending database pilot program is established within the pilot program area, effective upon the inception date established by the Secretary of the Department. The pilot program shall be in effect and operational for a total of 4 years and shall be administered in accordance with Article 3 of this Act. The database created under this program shall be maintained and administered by the Department. The database shall be designed to allow brokers, originators, credit counselors, title insurance companies, and closing agents to submit information to the database online. The database shall not be designed to allow those entities to retrieve information from the database, except as otherwise provided in this Article. Information submitted by the broker or originator to the Department may be used to populate the online form submitted by a credit counselor, title insurance company, or closing agent.

(c) Within 10 days after taking a mortgage application, the broker or originator for any mortgage on residential property within the pilot program area must submit to the predatory lending database all of the information required under Section 72 and any other information required by the Department by rule. Within 7 days after receipt of the information, the Department shall compare that information to the housing credit counseling standards in Section 73 developed by the Department by rule and issue to the borrower and the broker or originator a determination of whether credit counseling is recommended for the borrower. The borrower may not waive credit counseling. If at any time after submitting the information required under Section 72 the broker or originator (i) changes the terms of the loan or (ii) issues a new commitment to the borrower, then, within 5 days thereafter, the broker or originator shall re-submit all of the information required under Section 72 and, within 4 days after receipt of the information re-submitted by the broker or originator, the Department shall compare that information to the housing credit counseling standards in Section 73 developed by the Department by rule and shall issue to the borrower and the broker or originator a new determination of whether re-counseling credit counseling is recommended for the borrower based on the information re-submitted by the broker or originator.

(d) If the Department recommends credit counseling for the borrower under subsection (c), then the Department shall notify the borrower of all participating HUD-certified counseling agencies located within the State and direct the borrower to interview with a counselor associated with one of those agencies. Within 10 days after receipt of the notice of HUD-certified counseling agencies, the borrower shall select one of those agencies and shall engage in an interview with a counselor associated with that agency. Within 7 days after interviewing the borrower, the credit counselor must submit to the predatory lending database all of the information required under Section 74 and any other information required by the Department by rule. Reasonable and customary costs not to exceed $300 Any costs associated with credit counseling provided under the pilot program shall be paid by the broker or originator. The Department shall annually calculate to the nearest dollar an adjusted rate for inflation. A counselor shall not recommend or suggest that a borrower contact any specific mortgage origination company, financial institution, or entity that deals in mortgage finance to obtain a loan; however, a counselor may suggest that the borrower seek an opinion or a quote from another mortgage origination company, financial institution, or entity that deals in mortgage finance. A credit counselor or housing counseling agency that who in good faith provides counseling services shall not be liable to a broker or originator or borrower for civil damages, except for willful or wanton misconduct on the part of the counselor in providing the counseling services.

(e) The broker or originator and the borrower may not take any legally binding action concerning the loan transaction until the later of the following:

(1) the Department issues a determination not to recommend HUD-certified credit counseling for the borrower in accordance with subsection (c); or

(2) the Department issues a determination that HUD-certified credit counseling is recommended for the borrower and the credit counselor submits all required information to the database in accordance with subsection (d).

(f) Within 10 days after closing, the title insurance company or closing agent must submit to the predatory lending database all of the information required under Section 76 and any other information required by the Department by rule.

(g) The title insurance company or closing agent shall attach to the mortgage a certificate of compliance with the requirements of this Article, as generated by the database. If the title insurance company or closing agent fails to attach the certificate of compliance, then the mortgage is not recordable. In addition, if any lis pendens for a residential mortgage foreclosure is recorded on the property within the pilot program area, a certificate of service must be simultaneously recorded that affirms that a copy of the lis pendens was filed with the Department. If the certificate of service is not recorded, then the lis pendens pertaining to the residential mortgage foreclosure in question is not recordable and is of no force and effect.

(h) All information provided to the predatory lending database under the program is confidential and is not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, except as otherwise provided in this Article. Information or documents obtained by employees of the Department in the course of maintaining and administering the predatory lending database are deemed confidential. Employees are prohibited from making disclosure of such confidential information or documents. Any request for production of information from the predatory lending database, whether by subpoena, notice, or any other source, shall be referred to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Any borrower may authorize in writing the release of database information. The Department may use the information in the database without the consent of the borrower: (i) for the purposes of administering and enforcing the pilot program; (ii) to provide relevant information to a credit counselor providing credit counseling to a borrower under the pilot program; or (iii) to the appropriate law enforcement agency or the applicable administrative agency if the database information demonstrates criminal, fraudulent, or otherwise illegal activity.

(i) Nothing in this Article is intended to prevent a borrower from making his or her own decision as to whether to proceed with a transaction.

(j) Any person who violates any provision of this Article commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

(k) During the existence of the program, the Department shall submit semi-annual reports to the Governor and to the General Assembly by May 1 and November 1 of each year detailing its findings regarding the program. The report shall include at least the following information for each reporting period:

(1) the number of loans registered with the program;

(2) the number of borrowers receiving counseling;

(3) the number of loans closed;

(4) the number of loans requiring counseling for each of the standards set forth in Section 73;

(5) the number of loans requiring counseling where the mortgage originator changed the loan terms subsequent to counseling.

Not later than one year after the Department designates the pilot program area and annually thereafter during the existence of the pilot program, the Department shall report to the Governor and to the General Assembly concerning its administration and the effectiveness of the pilot program.

(Source: P.A. 94-280, eff. 1-1-06; 94-1029, eff. 7-14-06.)

(765 ILCS 77/72)

Sec. 72. Originator; required information. As part of the predatory lending database pilot program, the broker or originator must submit all of the following information for inclusion in the predatory lending database for each loan for which the originator takes an application:

(1) The borrower's name, address, social security number or taxpayer identification number, date of birth, and income and expense information contained in the mortgage application.

(2) The address, permanent index number, and a description of the collateral and information about the loan or loans being applied for and the loan terms, including the amount of the loan, the rate and whether the rate is fixed or adjustable, amortization or loan period terms, and any other material terms.

(3) The borrower's credit score at the time of application.

(4) Information about the originator and the company the originator works for, including the originator's license number and address, fees being charged, whether the fees are being charged as points up front, the yield spread premium payable outside closing, and other charges made or remuneration required by the broker or originator or its affiliates or the broker's or originator's employer or its affiliates for the mortgage loans.

(5) Information about affiliated or third party service providers, including the names and addresses of appraisers, title insurance companies, closing agents, attorneys, and realtors who are involved with the transaction and the broker or originator and any moneys received from the broker or originator in connection with the transaction.

(6) All information indicated on the Good Faith Estimate and Truth in Lending statement disclosures given to the borrower by the broker or originator.

(7) Annual real estate taxes for the property, together with any assessments payable in connection with the property to be secured by the collateral and the proposed monthly principal and interest charge of all loans to be taken by the borrower and secured by the property of the borrower.

(8) Information concerning how the broker or originator obtained the client and the name of its referral source, if any.

(9) Information concerning the notices provided by the broker or originator to the borrower as required by law and the date those notices were given.

(10) Information concerning whether a sale and leaseback is contemplated and the names of the lessor and lessee, seller, and purchaser.

(11) Any and all financing by the borrower for the subject property within 12 months prior to the date of application.

(12) Loan information, including interest rate, term, purchase price, down payment, and closing costs.

(13) Whether the buyer is a first-time homebuyer or refinancing a primary residence.

(14) Whether the loan permits interest only payments.

(15) Whether the loan may result in negative amortization.

(16) Whether the total points and fees payable by the borrowers at or before closing will exceed 5%.

(17) Whether the loan relies on stated income.

(18) Whether the loan includes a prepayment penalty, and, if so, the terms of the penalty.

(19) Whether the loan is an ARM.

(Source: P.A. 94-280, eff. 1-1-06.)

(765 ILCS 77/73 new)

Sec. 73. Standards for counseling. A borrower or borrowers subject to this Article shall be recommended for counseling if, after reviewing the information in the predatory lending database submitted under Section 72, the Department finds the borrower or borrowers are all first-time homebuyers or refinancing a primary residence and the loan is a mortgage that includes one or more of the following:

(1) the loan permits interest only payments;

(2) the loan may result in negative amortization;

(3) the total points and fees payable by the borrower at or before closing will exceed 5%;

(4) the loan relies on stated income;

(5) the loan includes a prepayment penalty; or

(6) the loan is an ARM.

(765 ILCS 77/74)

Sec. 74. Counselor Credit counselor; required information. As part of the predatory lending database pilot program, a credit counselor must submit all of the following information for inclusion in the predatory lending database:

(1) The information called for in items (1), (6), (9), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), (18), and (19) of Section 72.

(2) Any information from the borrower that confirms or contradicts the information called for under item (1) of this Section.

(3) The name and address of the credit counselor and address of the HUD-certifed housing counseling agency that employs the counselor.

(4) Information pertaining to the borrower's monthly expenses that assists the credit counselor in determining whether the borrower can afford the loans or loans for which the borrower is applying.

(5) A list of the disclosures furnished to the borrower, as seen and reviewed by the credit counselor, and a comparison of that list to all disclosures required by law.

(6) Whether the borrower provided tax returns to the broker or originator or to the credit counselor, and, if so, who prepared the tax returns.

(7) The date the loan commitment expires and whether a written commitment has been given, together with the proposed date of closing.

(8) A statement of the recommendations of the credit counselor that indicates the counselor's response to each of the following statements:

(A) The loan should not be approved due to indicia of fraud.

(B) The loan should be approved; no material problems noted.

(C) The borrower cannot afford the loan.

(D) The borrower does not understand the transaction.

(E) The borrower does not understand the costs associated with the transaction.

(F) The borrower's monthly income and expenses have been reviewed and disclosed.

(G) The rate of the loan is above market rate.

(H) The borrower should seek a competitive bid from another broker or originator.

(I) There are discrepancies between the borrower's verbal understanding and the originator's completed form.

(J) The borrower is precipitously close to not being able to afford the loan.

(K) The borrower understands the true cost of debt consolidation and the need for credit card discipline.

(L) The information that the borrower provided the originator has been amended by the originator.

(Source: P.A. 94-280, eff. 1-1-06.)

(765 ILCS 77/78 new)

Sec. 78. Exemption. Borrowers applying for reverse mortgage financing of residential real estate including under programs regulated by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) that require HUD-certified counseling are exempt from the program and may submit a HUD counseling certificate to comply with the program.

(765 ILCS 77/80 new)

Sec. 80. Predatory Lending Database Program Fund. The Predatory Lending Database Program Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. Subject to appropriation, moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Department to make grants to assist with implementation and development for participating HUD-certified housing counseling agencies providing counseling to borrowers under the program.

Section 50. The Mortgage Rescue Fraud Act is amended by changing Section 5 as follows:

(765 ILCS 940/5)

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

"Distressed property" means residential real property consisting of one to 6 family dwelling units that is in foreclosure or at risk of loss due to nonpayment of taxes, or whose owner is more than 90 days delinquent on any loan that is secured by the property.

"Distressed property consultant" means any person who, directly or indirectly, for compensation from the owner, makes any solicitation, representation, or offer to perform or who, for compensation from the owner, performs any service that the person represents will in any manner do any of the following:

(1) stop or postpone the foreclosure sale or the loss of the home due to nonpayment of taxes;

(2) obtain any forbearance from any beneficiary or mortgagee, or relief with respect to a tax sale of the property;

(3) assist the owner to exercise any right of reinstatement or right of redemption;

(4) obtain any extension of the period within which the owner may reinstate the owner's rights with respect to the property;

(5) obtain any waiver of an acceleration clause contained in any promissory note or contract secured by a mortgage on a distressed property or contained in the mortgage;

(6) assist the owner in foreclosure, loan default, or post-tax sale redemption period to obtain a loan or advance of funds;

(7) avoid or ameliorate the impairment of the owner's credit resulting from the recording of a notice of default or the conduct of a foreclosure sale or tax sale; or

(8) save the owner's residence from foreclosure or loss of home due to nonpayment of taxes.

A "distressed property consultant" does not include any of the following:

(1) a person or the person's authorized agent acting under the express authority or written approval of the Department of Housing and Urban Development;

(2) a person who holds or is owed an obligation secured by a lien on any distressed property, or a person acting under the express authorization or written approval of such person, when the person performs services in connection with the obligation or lien, if the obligation or lien did not arise as the result of or as part of a proposed distressed property conveyance;

(3) banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, and insurance companies organized, chartered, or holding a certificate of authority to do business under the laws of this State or any other state or under the laws of the United States;

(4) licensed attorneys engaged in the practice of law;

(5) a Department of Housing and Urban Development approved mortgagee and any subsidiary or affiliate of these persons or entities, and any agent or employee of these persons or entities, while engaged in the business of these persons or entities;

(6) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency or organization, doing business for no less than 5 years, that offers counseling or advice to an owner of a distressed property, if they do not contract for services with for-profit lenders or distressed property purchasers, or any person who structures or plans such a transaction;

(7) licensees of the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987;

(8) licensees of the Consumer Installment Loan Act who are authorized to make loans secured by real property; or

(9) licensees of the Real Estate License Act of 2000 when providing licensed activities.

"Distressed property purchaser" means any person who acquires any interest in fee in a distressed property or a beneficial interest in a trust holding title to a distressed property while allowing the owner to possess, occupy, or retain any present or future interest in fee in the property, or any person who participates in a joint venture or joint enterprise involving a distressed property conveyance. "Distressed property purchaser" does not mean any person who acquires distressed property at a short sale or any person acting in participation with any person who acquires distressed property at a short sale, if that person does not promise to convey an interest in fee back to the owner or does not give the owner an option to purchase the property at a later date.

"Distressed property conveyance" means a transaction in which an owner of a distressed property transfers an interest in fee in the distressed property or in which the holder of all or some part of the beneficial interest in a trust holding title to a distressed property transfers that interest; the acquirer of the property allows the owner of the distressed property to occupy the property; and the acquirer of the property or a person acting in participation with the acquirer of the property conveys or promises to convey an interest in fee back to the owner or gives the owner an option to purchase the property at a later date.

"Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, or other group or entity, however organized.

"Service" means, without limitation, any of the following:

(1) debt, budget, or financial counseling of any type;

(2) receiving money for the purpose of distributing it to creditors in payment or partial payment of any obligation secured by a lien on a distressed property;

(3) contacting creditors on behalf of an owner of a residence that is distressed property;

(4) arranging or attempting to arrange for an extension of the period within which the owner of a distressed property may cure the owner's default and reinstate his or her obligation;

(5) arranging or attempting to arrange for any delay or postponement of the time of sale of the distressed property;

(6) advising the filing of any document or assisting in any manner in the preparation of any document for filing with any court; or

(7) giving any advice, explanation, or instruction to an owner of a distressed property that in any manner relates to the cure of a default or forfeiture or to the postponement or avoidance of sale of the distressed property.

(Source: P.A. 94-822, eff. 1-1-07.)

Section 55. The Interest Act is amended by changing Section 4.1a as follows:

(815 ILCS 205/4.1a) (from Ch. 17, par. 6406)

Sec. 4.1a. Charges for and cost of the following items paid or incurred by any lender in connection with any loan shall not be deemed to be charges for or in connection with any loan of money referred to in Section 6 of this Act, or charges by the lender as a consideration for the loan referred to in this Section:

(a) hazard, mortgage or life insurance premiums, survey, credit report, title insurance, abstract and attorneys' fees, recording charges, escrow and appraisal fees, and similar charges.

(b) in the case of construction loans, in addition to the matters referred to in clause (a) above, the actual cost incurred by the lender for services for making physical inspections, processing payouts, examining and reviewing contractors' and subcontractors' sworn statements and waivers of lien and the like.

(c) in the case of any loan made pursuant to the provisions of the Emergency Home Purchase Assistance Act of 1974 (Section 313 of the National Housing Act, Chapter B of Title 12 of the United States Code), in addition to the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section all charges required or allowed by the Government National Mortgage Association, whether designated as processing fees, commitment fees, loss reserve and marketing fees, discounts, origination fees or otherwise designated.

(d) in the case of a single payment loan, made for a period of 6 months or less, a regulated financial institution or licensed lender may contract for and receive a maximum charge of $15 in lieu of interest. Such charge may be collected when the loan is made, but only one such charge may be contracted for, received, or collected for any such loan, including any extension or renewal thereof.

(e) if the agreement governing the loan so provides, a charge not to exceed the rate permitted under Section 3-806 of the Uniform Commercial Code-Commercial Paper for any check, draft or order for the payment of money submitted in accordance with said agreement which is unpaid or not honored by a bank or other depository institution.

(f) if the agreement governing the loan so provides, for each loan installment in default for a period of not less than 10 days, a charge in an amount not in excess of 5% of such loan installment. Only one delinquency charge may be collected on any such loan installment regardless of the period during which it remains in default. Payments timely received by the lender under a written extension or deferral agreement shall not be subject to any delinquency charge.

Notwithstanding items (k) and (l) of subsection (1) of Section 4 of this Act, the lender, in the case of any nonexempt residential mortgage loan, as defined in Section 1-4 of the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987, shall have the right to include a prepayment penalty that extends no longer than the fixed rate period of a variable rate mortgage provided that, if a prepayment is made during the fixed rate period and not in connection with the sale or destruction of the dwelling securing the loan, the lender shall receive an amount that is no more than:

(1) 3% of the total loan amount if the prepayment is made within the first 12 month period following the date the loan was made;

(2) 2% of the total loan amount if the prepayment is made within the second 12-month period following the date the loan was made; or

(3) 1% of the total loan amount if the prepayment is made within the third 12- month period following the date the loan was made, if the fixed rate period extends 3 years.

This Section applies to loans made, refinanced, renewed, extended, or modified on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly.

Where there is a charge in addition to the stated rate of interest payable directly or indirectly by the borrower and imposed directly or indirectly by the lender as a consideration for the loan, or for or in connection with the loan of money, whether paid or payable by the borrower, the seller, or any other person on behalf of the borrower to the lender or to a third party, or for or in connection with the loan of money, other than as hereinabove in this Section provided, whether denominated "points," "service charge," "discount," "commission," or otherwise, and without regard to declining balances of principal which would result from any required or optional amortization of the principal of the loan, the rate of interest shall be calculated in the following manner:

The percentage of the principal amount of the loan represented by all of such charges shall first be computed, which in the case of a loan with an interest rate in excess of 8% per annum secured by residential real estate, other than loans described in paragraphs (e) and (f) of Section 4, shall not exceed 3% of such principal amount. Said percentage shall then be divided by the number of years and fractions thereof of the period of the loan according to its stated maturity. The percentage thus obtained shall then be added to the percentage of the stated annual rate of interest.

The borrower in the case of nonexempt loan shall have the right to prepay the loan in whole or in part at any time, but, except as may otherwise be provided by Section 4, the lender may require payment of not more than 6 months' advance interest on that part of the aggregate amount of all prepayments on a loan in one year, which exceeds 20% of the original principal amount of the loan.

(Source: P.A. 87-496.)

(205 ILCS 635/2-2 rep.)

Section 60. The Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987 is amended by repealing Section 2-2.

Section 970. Severability. If any provision of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity of that provision or application does not affect other provisions or applications of this amendatory Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

Section 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.".