Budget & Taxes

Amends the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act of 2008. Provides that the credit under the Act shall include an additional amount equal to 30% of the Illinois labor expenditures generated as a result of work performed in Illinois by an actor who portrays, in the production, a woman working in a STEM-related field.

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that the amount of the taxes imposed under the Act shall be reduced in each year by 20%. Provides that no tax shall be imposed under the Act for persons dying on or after January 1, 2030 or for transfers occurring on or after January 1, 2030. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2031. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Removes language providing that a local program for the education of gifted and talented children may be approved for funding by the State Board of Education if funds for that purpose are available and if the local program submits an application for funds that includes a comprehensive plan. Removes language providing that the State Board of Education staff person in charge of educational programs for gifted and talented children shall be responsible for developing an approval process for educational programs for gifted and talented children. With respect to the evidence-based funding provisions, provides that in the adequacy target calculation, each organizational unit shall receive $40 per kindergarten through grade 12 for advanced academic programs (rather than for gifted investments). Makes related changes.

Repeals the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act and removes all cross-references to the Act in various statutes. Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Requires the Department on Aging to implement and administer the Benefits Access Program and to establish the eligibility criteria under the program for: (1) the Secretary of State with respect to reduced fees paid by qualified vehicle owners under the Illinois Vehicle Code; (2) special districts that offer free fixed route public transportation services for qualified older adults under the Local Mass Transit District Act, the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, and the Regional Transportation Authority Act; and (3) special districts that offer transit services for qualified individuals with disabilities under the Local Mass Transit District Act, the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Sets forth household income eligibility limits and other eligibility requirements under the program. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules concerning automatic renewals and appeal rights under the program. Makes corresponding changes concerning the program to the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, the Local Mass Transit District Act, the Regional Transportation Authority Act, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Older Adult Services Act, and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Further amends the Illinois Act on the Aging by removing a requirement that the Department: (i) study the feasibility of implementing an affirmative action employment plan for the recruitment, hiring, and training of persons 60 years of age or older; and (ii) develop a multilingual pamphlet to assist physicians, pharmacists, and patients in monitoring prescriptions provided by various physicians and to aid persons 65 years of age or older in complying with directions for proper use of pharmaceutical prescriptions. Adds a requirement that the Department implement the Older Americans Act. Removes provisions requiring a Community Care Program Medicaid Initiative and a Community Care Program Medicaid Enrollment Oversight Subcommittee. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Increases the exclusion amount to $8,000,000 for persons dying on or after January 1, 2026 (currently, $4,000,000). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Increases the exclusion amount from $4,000,000 to $12,060,000 for persons dying on or after January 1, 2026. Effective immediately.

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, on and after the effective date of the amendatory Act, before the estimated dates of completion of a redevelopment project and retirement of obligations issued to finance development project costs (including refunding bonds) are extended to the 35th or 47th years, the municipality must submit to the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives written support for the extension of the life of the redevelopment project area from each school district, community college district, and park district that has authority to directly levy taxes on property within the redevelopment project area. Provides that a municipality may only submit written support to extend a redevelopment project area to the 35th year within the 5 years prior to the estimated date of completion of the redevelopment project and may only submit written support to extend a redevelopment project area to the 47th year within one year prior to the estimated date of completion of the redevelopment project area. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Provides that, for persons dying on or after January 1, 2026, the amount of the Illinois estate tax shall be the amount of the Illinois taxable estate, multiplied by the Illinois estate tax rate. Sets forth the estate tax rate. Provides that the "Illinois taxable estate" means the decedent's federal gross estate, subject to certain modifications, including a deduction in the amount of $4,000,000. Makes conforming changes with respect to the generation-skipping transfer tax. Effective immediately.

Repeals the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act and removes all cross-references to the Act in various statutes. Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Requires the Department on Aging to implement and administer the Benefits Access Program and to establish the eligibility criteria under the program for: (1) the Secretary of State with respect to reduced fees paid by qualified vehicle owners under the Illinois Vehicle Code; (2) special districts that offer free fixed route public transportation services for qualified older adults under the Local Mass Transit District Act, the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, and the Regional Transportation Authority Act; and (3) special districts that offer transit services for qualified individuals with disabilities under the Local Mass Transit District Act, the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Sets forth household income eligibility limits and other eligibility requirements under the program. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules concerning automatic renewals and appeal rights under the program. Makes corresponding changes concerning the program to the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, the Local Mass Transit District Act, the Regional Transportation Authority Act, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Older Adult Services Act, and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Further amends the Illinois Act on the Aging by removing a requirement that the Department: (i) study the feasibility of implementing an affirmative action employment plan for the recruitment, hiring, and training of persons 60 years of age or older; and (ii) develop a multilingual pamphlet to assist physicians, pharmacists, and patients in monitoring prescriptions provided by various physicians and to aid persons 65 years of age or older in complying with directions for proper use of pharmaceutical prescriptions. Adds a requirement that the Department implement the Older Americans Act. Removes provisions requiring a Community Care Program Medicaid Initiative and a Community Care Program Medicaid Enrollment Oversight Subcommittee. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Increases the exclusion amount from $4,000,000 to $12,060,000 for persons dying on or after January 1, 2027. Effective immediately.