Rep. Bill Mitchell

Proposes to amend the Finance Article of the Illinois Constitution. Limits each fiscal year's increase in total aggregate appropriations to the greater of 4% of the previous fiscal year's total aggregate appropriations or the sum of the rate of inflation and the State's population growth since the previous fiscal year. Requires that revenues in excess of a fiscal year's total aggregate appropriations must be deposited into a rainy day fund within the State treasury. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Proposes to amend the Legislature, Executive, and Finance Articles of the Illinois Constitution. Amends the Finance Article to provide that within 30 days of the enactment of the State budget for a fiscal year, the Auditor General must certify whether the enacted budget will be balanced with expenses not exceeding funds estimated by the General Assembly to be available during that year. Provides that the Comptroller may find at any time during the fiscal year that the State budget has become unbalanced and so report to the Auditor General, which shall have 10 days to respond to this report. Provides that, if the Auditor General certifies that the budget is not balanced or agrees with the Comptroller's finding that the State budget has become unbalanced, then (i) the Comptroller shall stop all payments (other than payments affecting the public safety of the State, payments mandated by a court of law, and payments mandated by the federal government) and stop all payments for the salaries of General Assembly members and the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer and (ii) a special session of the General Assembly shall be convened within 10 days to enact a new State budget. Provides that, upon certification that the new budget will be balanced, the Comptroller will be allowed to resume payments. Makes conforming amendments to the Legislature and Executive Articles. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Proposes to amend the Finance Article of the Illinois Constitution. Except upon a three-fifths vote of each house of the General Assembly, limits each fiscal year's increase in total aggregate appropriations to the greater of 4% of the previous fiscal year's total aggregate appropriations or the sum of the rate of inflation and the State's population growth since the previous fiscal year. Requires that revenues in excess of a fiscal year's total aggregate appropriations must be deposited into a rainy day fund within the State treasury. Provides that moneys appropriated for elementary or secondary education, and moneys appropriated to any public or private university or community college in the State, shall not be included as part of the State's aggregate appropriations in any fiscal year. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Congratulates Michael J. Tate on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

Mourns the death of Dr. David T. Cypin.

Congratulates Lucille Simpson of Heyworth as she celebrates her 100th birthday and her 49th year as an Avon representative.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for any vehicle is (1) 70 miles per hour on any interstate highway; (2) 70 miles per hour for all or part of highways that are designated by the Department of Transportation, have at least 4 lanes of traffic, and have a separation between the roadways moving in opposite directions; and (3) 65 miles per hour for all other highways, roads, and streets. Provides that the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will may adopt ordinances establishing speed limits lower than these speeds. Permits the Department of Transportation and Toll Highway Authority to alter speed limits up to the new maximum speed limit (rather than up to 65 miles per hour).

Amends the State Finance Act and Illinois Vehicle Code to provide for the issuance of Alzheimer's Awareness license plates. Creates the Alzheimer's Awareness Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that the applicant shall pay an additional fee of $25 for original issuance of the plates and at renewal. Provides that $15 of the additional fee at original issuance and $2 of the additional fee at renewal shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund, and that $10 of the additional fee at original issuance and $23 of the additional fee at renewal shall be deposited into the Alzheimer's Awareness Fund. Provides that moneys in the Alzheimer's Awareness Fund shall be paid as grants to the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, for Alzheimer's care, support, education, and awareness programs.

Amends the Public Building Commission Act. Provides that the Public Building Commission may rent its buildings and facilities to not for profit corporations and non-profit organizations or associations. Provides definitions for these terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Allows veterans that are Illinois residents to obtain an Illinois Hunter Education card after completing the online study section of the Illinois Hunter Education program and providing the Department of Natural Resources with verification of service or mobilization. Effective immediately.