Rep. Bill Mitchell

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Authorizes the Secretary of Human Services to seek a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to allow the State to specify certain foods that may and may not be purchased in Illinois with the benefits funded by the federal Food Stamp Program. Requires the Secretary to consult with members of the General Assembly in developing the waiver and to obtain approval from the General Assembly before implementing the waiver.

Urges the General Assembly of Illinois to support new offshore oil drilling to increase the nation's energy independence. Urges Congress to seek an end to the moratorium on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that each appropriation for a legislative member initiative must be by a separate line item appropriation that fully describes the legislative member initiative. Provides that no legislative member initiative may be funded through a lump sum appropriation. Defines "legislative member initiative". Effective immediately.

Amends the Children's Health Insurance Program Act, the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that to be eligible for benefits under the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act, an individual who is otherwise eligible must be either a United States citizen or included in one of certain specified categories of non-citizens. Makes conforming changes to provisions concerning eligibility for benefits under the Children's Health Insurance Program. Prohibits the State from giving or offering money or a gas card or other valuable thing to a person for the purpose of inducing the person to apply for benefits under the Children's Health Insurance Program Act or the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act or for medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective July 1, 2009.

Creates the Illinois Conservation Corps Act. Provides year-round conservation employment within the Department of Natural Resources for young adults in Illinois. Subject to appropriation, entitles enrollees in the Corps to a stipend of $500 per month and a maximum of $5,000 per year in education awards. Provides that no project of the Corps may displace individuals employed by or under contract with the Department. Creates the Illinois Conservation Corps Advisory Board to advise the Department concerning the Corps. Establishes the Illinois Conservation Corps Fund, a special fund in the State treasury. Authorizes the Department to use the moneys in the Fund only for the purposes of the Corps and provides that no more than 5% of the moneys in the Fund may be used for costs associated with the administration of the Corps. Authorizes the Fund to accept State and federal appropriations, gifts, grants, and private donations. Prohibits the Governor from making any transfers from the Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to prohibit the Governor from making any transfers from the Illinois Conservation Corps Fund. Amends the Illinois Youth and Young Adult Employment Act of 1986 to rename the Illinois Conservation Corps as the Youth and Young Adult Conservation Employment Program. Makes corresponding changes. Amends the Personnel Code, the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, and the Illinois Pension Code to make corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Employ Illinois Job Renewal Act. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to develop application procedures to certify certain areas in the State as Job Renewal Zones or Agricultural Renewal Zones. Sets forth the qualifications for certification as a Job Renewal Zone or Agricultural Renewal Zone. Sets forth tax incentives for businesses located inside Job Renewal Zones or Agricultural Renewal Zones. Requires the Department to certify all Job Renewal Zones and Agriculture Renewal Zones by July 1, 2010 and provides that all zones expire on June 30, 2022. Requires the Department to report to the General Assembly and Governor no later than January 1, 2021 concerning the zone program. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Prompt Payment Act and the Court of Claims Act. Provides that, in directing payment of a claim that is based on a vendor's bill or invoice for goods or services furnished to the State, the Court of Claims must direct the Comptroller to add an interest penalty. An interest penalty of 1% of the amount of the award shall be added for each month or fraction thereof after the sixtieth day after the receipt of the vendor's proper bill or invoice, until final payment is made. Provides that the interest penalty shall be added regardless of the amount of time between the receipt of the vendor's proper bill or invoice and the final payment because of the appropriation process, the consideration of the matter by the Court, or any other reason. Makes other changes conforming the State Prompt Payment Act to the Court of Claims Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act, the Peace Officer Firearm Training Act, and the Intergovernmental Law Enforcement Officer's In-Service Training Act. In provisions relating to the powers of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, provides that any fee imposed upon retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed weapon shall not exceed $50.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Exempts from taxation under the Acts, that part of the selling price of motor fuel or gasohol that exceeds $1.50 per gallon. Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the amount of the earned income tax credit from 5% of the federal credit to: (i) 7.5% of the federal tax credit for taxable years ending in calendar year 2007; and (ii) 10% of the federal tax credit for taxable years ending in calendar year 2008 or thereafter. Effective immediately.