Rep. William B. Black

Creates the Continuing Appropriation for Military Scholarships Act to require a General Revenue Fund recommendation by the Governor in the annual budget and annual General Revenue Fund appropriations by the General Assembly sufficient to reimburse institutions of higher learning in this State for not charging students tuition and fees under the Veteran Grant program, the Illinois National Guard Grant and Naval Militia Grant program, and the MIA/POW Scholarship program and to require an irrevocable and continuing appropriation if the General Assembly fails to make sufficient appropriations. Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Provides that the Board may issue one additional owners license subject to the competitive bidding process described in Section 7.5 pursuant to a minimum bid of $60,000,000 that authorizes the conduct of gambling in a municipality with a population of less than 50,000; however, the licensee must not conduct gambling pursuant to this license within 50 miles from a licensed riverboat in operation on the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that, in granting the new owners license, the Illinois Gaming Board must give favorable consideration to economically depressed areas of the State, to applicants presenting plans that provide for significant economic development over a large geographic area, and to applicants who currently operate non-gambling riverboats in Illinois (for other licenses, the Board may give favorable consideration to these things). Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that it is a goal of the Highway Improvement Program that the percentage of mileage and bridges under State jurisdiction that are in acceptable condition be comparable throughout the State. Sets forth the method for allocating the funding for the Highway Improvement Program among highway districts 1 through 9. Provides that the Department shall publish and deliver to the Governor and General Assembly an Annual Highway Improvement Program within 60 days after the start of each fiscal year or of the enactment of the Department's highway construction appropriation for that fiscal year, whichever is later. Provides that the Auditor General shall review the performance of the Department every 2 years. Effective July 1, 2007.

Appropriates $25,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the University of Illinois for the restoration of Lincoln Hall. Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. For tax years ending on or after December 31, 2008 through tax years ending on or before December 30, 2009, creates a $500 income tax credit for each taxpayer who purchases, at retail during the tax year, a hybrid vehicle or a flexible fuel vehicle. Provides that the credit does not apply to any motor vehicle that was modified to be a hybrid vehicle or alternate fuel vehicle at any time after the vehicle was originally manufactured. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back, and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that in addition to or instead of publishing any property tax assessment in a newspaper, a county of less than 3,000,000 may publish the assessment on its Internet website. Sets forth requirements for the Internet publication.

Creates the Judicial Campaign Reform Act and amends the Election Code, the State Finance Act, the Illinois Income Tax Act, and the Clerks of Courts Act. Creates a voluntary program of public financing of election campaigns for the offices of judges of the Illinois Supreme Court and Appellate Courts, administered by the State Board of Elections. Establishes funding mechanisms and provides penalties for violations. Sets mandatory contribution limits with respect to all judicial election campaigns. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2009.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person issued a restricted driving permit after being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or under the influence of a combination of alcohol and another drug or intoxicating compound may drive only a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device until his or her driver's license has been reinstated. Provides that if the person does not own a vehicle, he or she must use a transdermal alcohol monitoring device, or must have an ignition interlock device installed in a vehicle he or she does not own, until his or her driver's license has been reinstated. Provides that a person prohibited from driving a vehicle not equipped with the device commits a Class 4 felony if he or she drives a vehicle without the device. Sets additional penalties. Provides that the person commits a Class A misdemeanor if he or she leases, rents, or borrows a vehicle without telling the person from whom he or she rents, leases, or borrows the vehicle of his or her driving restriction. Provides that it is also a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly rent, lease, or loan a vehicle not equipped with the device to a person restricted to driving a vehicle equipped with the device. Sets additional penalties. Makes changes regarding administration of and funding for monitoring the use of ignition interlock and transdermal alcohol monitoring devices.

Amends the Election Code. Eliminates the requirement that a voter declare party affiliation when voting at a primary election. Provides that the voter shall receive the primary ballot of each of the established political parties nominating candidates for office at the primary election but may cast a ballot of only one political party, except in certain cases involving statewide political parties and political parties established only within a political subdivision.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning on July 1, 2007, with respect to motor fuel and gasohol the tax under the Acts is imposed at the rate of 1.25% (now, 6.25%). Effective immediately.