Rep. Chad Hays

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the valuation of commercial or industrial property that has been rebuilt following a tornado disaster, provides for a partial reduction in equalized assessed value if the square footage of the rebuilt structure exceeds 110% of the square footage of the original structure (currently, property is not entitled to a reduction if the square footage of the rebuilt structure exceeds 110% of the square footage of the original structure). Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, with respect to sales of cellular telephones and other wireless cellular devices, the terms "selling price" and "gross receipts" do not include consideration paid by a third-party cellular service provider. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Sets forth provisions regarding health benefits for TRS benefit recipients, TRS dependent beneficiaries, community college benefit recipients, and community college dependent beneficiaries. Permits eligible benefit recipients and dependent beneficiaries to elect not to participate in the program of health benefits during the benefit recipient's annual open enrollment period. Permits a benefit recipient and the dependent beneficiary to re-enroll in the Department of Central Management Services program of health benefits upon showing a qualifying change in status without evidence of insurability and with no limitations on coverage for pre-existing conditions, provided that there was not a break in coverage of more than 63 days. Permits a benefit recipient and the dependent beneficiary who elected not to participate in the program of health benefits to re-enroll in the program of health benefits during any annual benefit choice period, without evidence of insurability. Provides that benefit recipients who elect not to participate in the program of health benefits shall be furnished with a written explanation of the requirements and limitations for the election not to participate in the program and for re-enrolling in the program. Further provides that the Director shall not limit re-enrollment in a manner that is inconsistent with this amendatory Act. Makes other technical changes. Effective immediately.

Congratulates Dr. Richard Foellner on receiving the 2014 Rural Physician of Excellence Award from the Illinois Rural Health Association.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that until May 1, 2014, vehicle weight limits do not apply to a commercial motor vehicle used primarily in the transportation of propane winter heating fuel. Provides that a vehicle is not permitted to cross a bridge with posted weight restrictions if the vehicle exceeds the posted weight limit. Effective immediately.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. With respect to the Monetary Award Program, provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall, twice a year (instead of each year), receive and consider applications for grant assistance. Provides that the first application period for grants for the next academic year shall be open to all eligible students and the second application period shall occur immediately before commencement of the academic year and shall be open only to non-traditional students and traditional students who missed the first application deadline due to unforeseen circumstances, as defined by the Commission. Requires the Commission to apportion grant funds between persons who applied during the first application period and person who applied during the second application period, in such manner as the Commission shall determine. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Comptroller Act. Creates the Illinois Gives Initiative, whereby an employee or annuitant may authorize the withholding of a portion of his or her salary, wages, or annuity for payment to Illinois chapters of the American Red Cross whose territories include areas affected by a declaration of disaster. Authorizes the State Comptroller to develop an electronic mechanism whereby an employee or annuitant may register with the Office of the Comptroller for the withholding to be deducted from the next available scheduled pay period, develop policies and procedures necessary for the efficient transmission of the notification of the withholding to the employee's Payroll Officer or the annuitant's Retirement Agency, and develop policies and procedures necessary for the efficient distribution of the withholdings to designated Illinois chapters of the American Red Cross. Makes corresponding changes in the State Salary and Annuity Withholding Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Charitable Games Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall issue a charitable games license only for the conduct of a poker run to a non-profit organization that the Department determines is organized for the sole purpose of providing financial assistance to an identified individual or group of individuals suffering extreme financial hardship as a result of an illness, disability, accident, or disaster. Further provides that any organization applying for a license to conduct a poker run shall list the name and address of each predetermined location and that any premises that is listed as a predetermined location of a poker run shall not be required to obtain a providers' license for such poker run so long as the provider does not charge any fee or seek any other compensation for the use of the premises. Effective immediately.

Recognizes Julius W. Hegeler II for his contributions to the community and congratulates him on his induction into the Vermilion Advantage Hall of Fame.

Recognizes Vicki Haugen for her contributions to the community and congratulates her on her induction into the Vermilion Advantage Hall of Fame.