Amends the Recreational Use of Land and Water Areas Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to encourage owners of land to make land and water areas available to any individual or, on State-owned or managed lands and waters, members of the public (rather than to the public) for recreational or conservation purposes by limiting their liability toward persons entering thereon for such purposes. Provides that residential buildings are not included in the definition of "land". Changes the definition of "recreational or conservation purpose" to include hunting, hiking, recreational shooting, operation of an off-highway vehicle, rock climbing, trapping, horseback riding of an entrant's own horse or horses, fishing, swimming, boating, camping, picnicking, water or snow skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a $2,000 tax credit for each taxpayer who purchases a new E85 ethanol powered motor vehicle during the taxable year. Creates a $10,000 tax credit for each motor fuel retailer who installs one or more new E85 ethanol fuel dispensing pumps at his or her motor fuel retail store in Illinois during the taxable year. Provides that each of the credits applies to taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2005 and on or before December 30, 2010. Limits the vehicle credit to one vehicle and the pump credit to one year. Provides that the credits may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Effective January 1, 2006.
Amends the School Code. In provisions regarding the waiver or modification of mandates within the School Code and rules, provides that any request disapproved by the State Board of Education may be appealed through an appeals advisory committee, which makes recommendations for action to the State Superintendent of Education (now, an applicant may appeal to the General Assembly). Removes provisions that allow the General Assembly to disapprove requests. Effective immediately.
Amends the University of Illinois Act. Provides that the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois shall offer 50% tuition waivers for undergraduate education to the dependents of employees of a State university who have been employed by any one or by more than one State university for an aggregate period of at least 7 years. Defines "dependent" as a relative, other than a child, for whom the employee has assumed the role of caregiver, including the assumption of the degree of financial responsibility required by the Board of Trustees.
Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Agriculture for institutional agricultural research grants to public universities and for administrative costs incurred by the Department related to these grants. Effective July 1, 2006.
Amends the Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Law of 1997 of the Public Utilities Act. Imposes limits on rate increases the Commission may initiate, authorize, or order by AmerenIP through calendar year 2009. Effective immediately.
Amends the Executive Reorganization Implementation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning February 1, 2006 and through April 30, 2006, with respect to propane and home heating oil, the tax under the Acts is imposed at the rate of 1.25% (eliminating the State's portion of the tax). Amends the State Finance Act to make corresponding changes concerning the distribution of the tax. Amends the Gas Revenue Tax Act. Suspends the tax on sales for the use or consumption of gas by residential customers for the period beginning February 1, 2006 through April 30, 2006. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that if land is improved with a water-retention dam that is operated primarily for commercial purposes, that dam is not considered to be used for open space purposes despite the fact that any resulting man-made lake may be considered to be used for open space purposes.
Honors State Representative Lee Daniels on his retirement from the Illinois House of Representatives.