Rep. Kurt M. Granberg

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, provides that in all counties (now, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants), the county board may by resolution provide that if a person has been granted the homestead exemption, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption. In a Section concerning the alternative general homestead exemption, deletes provisions ending the alternative exemption after certain tax years. Provides that the $20,000 limit on the alternative exemption applies only for certain tax years. Sets forth requirements for ordinances by counties concerning the homestead exemption. Effective immediately.

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Creates an alternate credit under the Act for taxpayers who agree to create new full-time employment positions by: (i) locating or expanding operations in a depressed area of the State; or (ii) relocating operations into the State from another state or country. Sets forth requirements for the application and award of the alternate credit. Provides that a taxpayer who has been awarded the alternate credit may sell the credit in the secondary financial markets with 100% of the proceeds of the sale by the applicant to be used to offset the costs of the project. Amends the Corporate Accountability for Tax Expenditures Act and the Illinois Income Tax Act to make corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Resolves that the General Assembly not recognize or hold valid the uniting of persons of the same sex in a civil union, domestic partnership, or other similar same sex relationship in this State and that the General Assembly not allow couples to register their partnership in such a manner as to give them the rights and responsibilities of married couples.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the election of board of trustee members.

Amends the Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act. Defines "Off-Lot Discharging Private Sewage Disposal System". Provides that every owner of an off-lot discharging private sewage disposal system must file a "Notice of Intent" with the Department of Public Health to allow coverage of the system under the blanket National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit of the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the unlawful sale of firearms.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2005 assessment year, qualified timberland shall be assessed at 33 1/3% of the lesser of: (i) its value; or (ii) $500 per acre. Defines "qualified timberland" as any parcel of unimproved real property that is timberland and that: (1) does not qualify as cropland, permanent pasture, other farmland, or wasteland; and (2) is not managed under a forestry management plan so as to be considered as "other farmland". Effective immediately.

Congratulates the 2006 inductees of the Centralia Sports Hall of Fame.

Mourns the death of the Honorable Judge Terrence Hopkins of Mount Vernon, Illinois.

Congratulates Dr. Secundino Rubio of Salem on receiving the Rural Physician of Excellence Award from the Illinois Rural Health Association.