Rep. Bill Mitchell

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Reinstates the exemption from the tax imposed by these Acts for certain oil field exploration, drilling, and production equipment. Reinstates the exemption from the tax imposed by these Acts for coal exploration, mining, offhighway hauling, processing, maintenance, and reclamation equipment. Effective immediately.

Encourages the Governor and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to develop a program of systematic contact with local and regional economic development stakeholders and policy makers. Requires the Department to report to the House Commerce and Business Development Committee and the House Labor Committee concerning the Department's current efforts to make systematic contact with local and regional economic development stakeholders and policy makers and the scope of those efforts.

Urges the redesign of the Statewide Sites and Buildings database and illinoisbiz.biz.

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, beginning with taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2003 and ending with taxable years ending on or before December 30, 2008, a taxpayer is entitled to an income tax credit for the amount expended by the taxpayer for alterations to residential property that is not otherwise required to be accessible and is voluntarily being made accessible under standards established in the Illinois Accessibility Code, provided that the property is located within one-half mile of a heavy rail transit station. Provides that the tax credit may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero but that the taxpayer may carry the credit forward for 10 taxable years. Requires the taxpayer to maintain and record any information required by the Department of Revenue regarding the alterations for which the credit is claimed. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Beginning with fiscal year 2005, requires that a State agency's total appropriations shall not exceed its total fiscal year 2004 appropriations. Exempts elementary and secondary education appropriations. Beginning with fiscal year 2005, requires that State revenues received in excess of the total fiscal year 2004 State budget shall be transferred into the Budget Stabilization Fund. Exempts revenues necessary for that portion of elementary and secondary education appropriations in excess of fiscal year 2004 appropriations. Effective immediately.

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. Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Department of Public Health and the State Board of Education, to develop a broad public health policy related to improved nutrition and health status.

Amends the School Code. In the State aid formula provisions, provides that the foundation level of support for each school year after the 2002-2003 school year shall be equal to the foundation level of support for the preceding school year, increased by (i) the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items or (ii) 3%, whichever is greater. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that commercial liability policies that provide coverage to additional insureds must provide coverage to the person or organization shown on the policy or endorsement schedule with respect to liability arising out of the named insured's work for the additional insured and for the acts or omissions of the additional insured in connection with its general supervision of the named insured's work. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that the annual fees applicable to discharges under NPDES permits do not apply to (i) a unit of local government, (ii) a private sector contractor providing sewage treatment services or infrastructure under contract with the State, any department or agency of the State, a unit of local government, or a school district during the course of providing those services, or (iii) a not-for-profit organization. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to refund the fees paid on or after July 1, 2003 by those persons or entities. Effective immediately.