Rep. Carol Ammons

Amends the Electronic Mail Act. Provides that restrictions concerning the sending of unsolicited or misleading electronic mail messages apply also to text messages. Defines "text message" as a message sent to a cellular telephone or pager equipped with short message service or any similar capability, whether the message is initiated as a short message service message or as an electronic mail message. Makes corresponding changes.

Amends the Personal Information Protection Act. Expands the scope of the Act to cover private contact information (home address, home or personal phone number, personal e-mail address). Limits the transfer of private contact information.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Requires the governing board of each public university to develop and maintain a written policy concerning the credits that the university will award for courses on a joint services transcript. Defines "joint services transcript". Effective January 1, 2017.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that no person may sell, offer for sale, barter, or give away as a pet or novelty any hermit crab or goldfish which has been dyed, colored, or otherwise treated to impart an artificial color thereto. Provides that a violation of this provision is a Class B misdemeanor.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Technology Zone Act. Provides that counties and municipalities may designate technology zones within their jurisdiction, subject to approval by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that a qualified technology business located in a technology zone may apply to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for certification as a technology business. Provides that those certified technology businesses are entitled to credits against taxes and charges imposed under the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Electricity Excise Tax Law, or the Public Utilities Act. Amends those Acts to make conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a certified technology business that makes an investment in qualified property during the taxable year is entitled to an income tax credit in an amount equal to 0.5% of the amount of the investment. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $15,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Department of Transportation for the purpose of preparing a federally approved Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement for a high speed rail system. Effective July 1, 2015.

Makes appropriations to the Department of Human Services for the Home Services Program and for all costs and administrative expenses associated with the Community Reintegration Program. Effective July 1, 2015.

Amends the Cannabis Control Act. Makes a technical change in the Section regarding the unlawful possession of cannabis.