Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the exercise of "quick-take" eminent domain powers.
Amends the Illinois Equine Research and Promotion Act. Exempts multi-species feed and feed sold in units smaller than 50 pounds from the definition of "commercial equine feed". Requires a referendum by qualified equine owners in 2008 and every 5 years thereafter to determine whether assessments will continue. Requires the Illinois Equine Industry Research and Promotion Board to set an assessment rate between $2 and $10 per equine per year (rather than $2 per ton or 5 cents per 50 pound bag of commercial equine feed). Allows the Board to establish an alternative method of assessment and means of collecting except that the Board may not establish an assessment on commercial equine feed. Provides that a refund of an assessment shall be payable within one year or 365 days (rather than 60 days) after the assessment.
Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that an Applicant may qualify for tax credits if the Applicant has 100 or fewer employees and is located or will locate in a county for which the annual unemployment rate was at least 1% higher than the average annual statewide unemployment rate during the most recent year for which those statistics are available from the Department of Employment Security, the project will involve an investment of at least $500,000 in capital improvements to be placed in service, and the project will employ at least 2 New Employees within the State as a direct result of the project. Effective immediately.
Creates the Rural Technology Development Zone Act. Allows the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to designate 3 rural areas in the State as rural technology development zones. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall submit a report to the General Assembly outlining the progress in improving wireless telecommunications and Internet access within rural technology development zones. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to provide a tax credit for investments in technology infrastructure required to provide wireless telecommunications and Internet access in rural technology development zones. Effective immediately.
Amends Southwestern Illinois Development Authority Act. Authorizes Authority to issue bonds for the promotion of tourism by capital improvement projects.
Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Repeals a provision that repeals the Act on July 1, 2007.
Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act of 1987. Provides that a pharmacist licensed under the Act may, based on his or her personal, religious beliefs, refuse to fill a prescription for and to dispense emergency contraception.
Creates the Capital Project Continuing Appropriation Act. Provides a continuing appropriation from the General Revenue Fund for certain capital projects that have been begun or authorized but are not funded in the State budget as it becomes law. Requires certification of the amount of the continuing appropriation by the Governor's Office of Management and Budget. Authorizes GOMB to direct reimbursement of the General Revenue Fund from other sources of funding that may become available. Amends the State Budget Law to require the Governor to include in the proposed budget funding for certain ongoing and newly authorized capital projects. Amends the State Finance Act to provide that appropriations and reappropriations for capital projects are not subject to single fiscal year limitations. Effective July 1, 2005.
Creates the Employee and Retiree Benefit Protection Act. Provides that unsecured claims for contributions to employee and retiree benefit plans, including health and pension benefits, arising from all past, present, and future obligations of an employer to fully funds those plans, have a higher priority in bankruptcy proceedings than the priorities set forth in the federal Bankruptcy Code. Provides that employee and retiree health and pension benefits provided to an employee or retiree shall be continued to be provided to the employee or retiree in the same manner and with the same benefits that would otherwise have been provided to that employee or retiree if the employer has not been subject to bankruptcy proceedings. Effective immediately.
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that no person may bring a civil suit based on potential nuisance with respect to a proposed livestock management facility until all required federal, State, and local permits and approvals for the proposed facility have been granted. Provides that, from the time when all required federal, State, and local permits and approvals have been granted until animals are present and operations have actually begun at the proposed facility, it shall be presumed that a proposed livestock management facility can be lawfully operated in accordance with those permits. Includes related findings and declarations. Effective immediately.
