Rep. Bill Mitchell

Amends the School Code. In provisions that prohibit a student from receiving a certificate of graduation without passing a satisfactory examination upon the subjects of American patriotism and the principles of representative government and the proper use and display of the American flag, provides that the examination for high school students must include test questions that are identical to the test questions on the naturalization test used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and a pupil may not be considered to have satisfactorily passed the examination without correctly answering at least 75% of those questions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a credit for qualifying taxpayers who own and operate a business in an area with low long-term manufacturing job projections in the amount of $3,500 for each employee hired by the taxpayer on or after January 1, 2017 to work at job location in an area with low long-term manufacturing job projections and retained by the taxpayer at that job location for 2 years. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that in an effort to control the epidemic of childhood obesity, the Secretary of Human Services may 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 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 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.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval if required, the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, shall investigate the paternity of a child applying for child care assistance or medical assistance provided under the Code if the Department has reason to believe the child's father is capable of providing support to the child. Provides that the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this provision.

Amends the State Revenue Sharing Act. Provides that, if a taxing district received an overpayment of moneys from the Personal Property Tax Replacement Fund on or after January 1, 2014 and prior to the effective date of the amendatory Act, then the taxing district may retain the amount of the overpayment and is not required to reimburse the State or any other taxing district. Effective immediately.

Amends the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health may record lead mitigation notices for properties subject to such notices at the recorder of deeds for the county or counties in which the property is located. Provides that upon successful mitigation, the Department shall record a notice of successful mitigation at the recorder of deeds for the county or counties in which the property is located. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Requires substance abuse testing as a condition for filing nomination papers for the office of State Representative or State Senator. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall require a drug test to screen each individual who applies for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Provides that the cost of drug testing shall be the responsibility of the individual tested and that an individual who tests positive for controlled substances shall be ineligible to receive TANF benefits for one year after the date of the positive drug test, unless the individual meets certain requirements. Contains provisions concerning notice; persons required to comply with the drug testing requirements; persons exempted from the drug testing requirements; circumstances under which an applicant who fails a drug test has the right to take one or more additional tests; and other matters. Effective January 1, 2016.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that eligibility criteria for voluntary populations to receive medical assistance approved under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including previously ineligible individuals with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level, shall not be expanded. Effective immediately.

Repeals the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act of 2008. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning State goals and assessment.