Rep. Bill Mitchell

Amends the Department of Employment Security Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Employment Security shall, on a monthly basis, measure labor underutilization in Illinois in accordance with the U-6 measure (total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers) developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and shall release monthly data on the same day of the month on which it releases statewide unemployment data. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that notarized declarations of intent shall include a sworn statement affirming the person filing the declaration is, at the time of filing, eligible to hold the office being sought. Sets forth the requirements on filing an objection to a declaration of intent. Effective immediately.

Honors Illinois State Rep. Jim Watson on his years of dedicated service to the State of Illinois.

Congratulates our friend and former Illinois State Representative, Ron Stephens, on the occasion of being honored as the November 2012 Veteran of the Month by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Commends and thanks Dale and Rita Colee for their support of the Wounded Warrior Project.

Amends the School Code and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes changes concerning notification of the public hearing on a waiver or modification of a mandate within the School Code or administrative rules and waivers and modifications for contracting with a commercial driver training school. Makes changes concerning driver education course reimbursement, the adoption of standards for driver education and driver education course content, a report on the per capita driver education cost for school districts, and the safety testing of motor vehicles used for driver education training. Effective January 1, 2013.

Congratulates the residents of Farmer City as they celebrate the 175th anniversary of the city's founding.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, on or after July 1, 2012 and on or before December 31, 2018, the taxes imposed under the Acts apply to (i) 90% of the proceeds of sales of gasohol, (ii) 80% of the proceeds of sales of E20 blended ethanol fuel, and (iii) 60% of the proceeds of sales of E30 blended ethanol fuel. Provides that an exemption for majority blended ethanol fuel applies through December 31, 2018 (instead of December 31, 2013). Amends the Illinois Renewable Fuels Development Program Act. Provides that grants may be awarded for the following programs: a next generation renewable fuels program, a majority blended ethanol and blender pump infrastructure program, and a research and development program for sustainable corn production and corn-based renewable fuel production. Sets forth the maximum aggregate amount of grants that may be awarded under each program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Credit Union Act. Changes the definition of "common bond" to include relatives by civil union. Provides that if a member fails to maintain one fully paid share, the credit union may permit the member to re-subscribe within 30 days after the member failed to maintain one fully paid share. Provides that, if the board of directors of a credit union has adopted a policy addressing age eligibility standards, then the credit union may require that members be at least 18 years of age by the date of the meeting in order to vote at meetings, sign nominating petitions, or sign petitions requesting special meetings and at least 18 years of age by the date of the election or appointment in order to hold elective or appointive office. Provides that a resulting credit union shall be considered the same business and corporate entity as each merging or consolidating credit union or as the converting credit union. Defines "resulting credit union". Effective immediately.

Honors our friend and colleague, Illinois State Representative Ron Stephens, for his many years of dedicated service to the people of the State of Illinois.