Rep. Kurt M. Granberg

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department shall create a web-accessible database containing profiles for municipalities and counties in the State that contain information relevant to businesses considering locating in Illinois. Provides that municipalities and counties shall be encouraged to submit data to the Department for entry into the database.

Creates the Economic Development Institute Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish the Economic Development Institute. Provides that the Institute shall work in conjunction with one or more of the State's universities and with professional associations involved in development to establish the Institute as a central coordinating entity for economic development training and educational programs in Illinois. Provides that the Institute shall sponsor specialized education programs, promote professional development and certification, and produce technical workbooks for local and regional economic development professionals on proven as well as innovative strategies to improve their opportunities for community growth. Provides specific economic development, professional development, and publication development guidelines. Sets forth the powers of duties of the Institute. Gives the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity the power to make rules to implement the Act.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that a "storage site" does not include a site that stores non-putrescible solid wastes in containers for 10 calendar days or less for further transfer to a facility on a non-contagious site.

Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Adds an additional month to both the spring and fall wild turkey open seasons.

Shows the Illinois House of Representatives' support for SIU President Glenn Poshard and urges him to continue his intense dedication and hard work toward the school and to remain in his current position.

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that all official acts of the Authority require the approval of a majority of the members then holding office (instead of 8 members). Provides that a majority of the members of the Authority holding office constitutes a quorum (instead of 8 members). Provides that the Authority may enter into agreements with respect to its bond payment obligations. Provides that any pledge of revenues or other moneys made by the Authority shall be binding from the time the pledge is made, and that revenues and other moneys pledged shall be held outside of the State treasury and shall be subject to certain liens. Allows the Executive Director to countersign checks and drafts. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an alternate research and development credit for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2007 for taxpayers who make qualified research expenditures during the taxable year. Provides that the amount of the credit for taxpayers who have conducted business activities in each of the 3 preceding taxable years is 12% of: (i) the amount of qualified research expenditures made in the current taxable year; less (ii) 50% of the average of the qualified research expenditures made for the 3 preceding taxable years. Provides that the amount of the credit for taxpayers who have not conducted business activities in each of the 3 preceding taxable years is 6.5% of the qualified research expenditures made in the current taxable year. Provides that the credit may be carried forward for 5 years. Exempts the credit from the Act's sunset provisions. Prohibits taxpayers from claiming the credit if they claim a research and development credit under other provisions of the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Eliminates the requirement that a unit of local government's clerk notify the Secretary of State at least 20 days before and within 30 days after a referendum on changing the unit's home rule status. Requires that, within 45 days after a referendum successfully changing a unit of local government's home rule status, the unit's clerk must notify the Secretary of State of the referendum results and the unit's status as a home rule unit or a non-home rule unit. Effective immediately.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning deer hunting.