[4] Early in the session, the General Assembly passed an amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

[6] Among these was the first law in the country to prohibit certain felons, including those convicted of forcible felonies, from owning dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.

[6] The Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act (720 ILCS 648) was signed into law on November 16, 2005, and took effect on January 15, 2006.

[10] The same bill also amended the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act to restore a penalty of 1% per day for employers who fail to pay wages due after receiving a demand from the Department of Labor.

[12] The remaining 51 members were returning incumbents, either re-elected or continuing the second half of a four-year term.

[12] The Senate of the 94th General Assembly consisted of 31 Democrats, 27 Republicans, and one Independent.

[83] Seven new members joined the chamber, and nine who had previously been appointed to fill vacancies were elected for the first time.