Rep. David B. Reis

Amends the Service Occupation Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, no later than March 1 of each year beginning in 2013, each business located in an enterprise zone may apply with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a rebate in an amount not to exceed 1% of the amount the tax paid by the business under the Acts during the previous calendar year for the purchase of tangible personal property from a vendor located in Illinois. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall pay the rebates from moneys appropriated for that purpose. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the length limits for the distance between the kingpin and the center of the rear axle of semitrailers longer than 48 feet shall not apply to trailers used for the transport of livestock.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the unlawful use of weapons.

Amends the Early Intervention Services System Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that the waiting period for withholding delivery of a firearm after application for its purchase has been made does not apply to the transfer of an operable firearm in exchange for another operable firearm. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. In a Section concerning estimated taxes, provides that, if a taxpayer is entitled to a refund after the payment of the fourth installment, then he or she may apply the amount of the refund to the first installment due in the next taxable year.

Amends the Illinois Fertilizer Act of 1961. Makes changes to the definitions. Provides for labeling requirements for fertilizers or custom blends. Provides that it shall be unlawful for misbranding or for the adulteration of a fertilizer within the State. Provides that the Director of the Department of Agriculture may refuse to register a fertilizer or cancel or suspend a fertilizer registration, custom blend, or fertilizer if certain specified claims are made. Permits the Director to issue and serve a written stop sale, stop use, or regulate removal upon an owner, operator, manager, or agent in charge of fertilizer. Creates the Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) for the purpose of pursuing nutrient research and providing educational programs to ensure the adoption and implementation of practices that optimize nutrient use efficiency, ensure soil fertility, and address environmental concerns with regard to fertilizer use. Provides that the Department has the authority issue subpoenas, temporary restraining orders, preliminary or permanent injunctions against any person from violating or continuing to violate any provision of the Act. Provides for penalties based on type of violation. Makes other corresponding changes. Effective January 1, 2012.

Amends the State Finance Act and Illinois Vehicle Code to provide for the issuance of Public Safety Diver special license plates. Creates the Public Safety Diver Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that the applicant shall pay an additional fee of $45 for original issuance of the plates, of which $30 shall be deposited into the Public Safety Diver Fund and $15 shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that an additional fee of $27 shall be charged for each renewal, of which $25 shall be deposited into the Public Safety Diver Fund and $2 shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that money in the Public Safety Diver Fund shall be paid to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board for the purposes of providing training, standards, equipment, and facilities to all public safety disciplines involved in public safety diving and water rescue services, with a primary focus toward volunteer responders.

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Defines "accident" and "injury." Provides that pain or other subjective complaints alone, in the absence of objective relevant medical findings, are not compensable. Deletes language allowing rebuttable presumptions for an employee employed as a firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMT), or paramedic. Deletes language allowing an employee to secure his own physician, surgeon and hospital services at the employer's expense. Provides that the employer shall choose all necessary medical, surgical and hospital services reasonably required to cure or relieve from the effects of the accidental injury at the employer's expense, except upon a finding by the Commission that the employer's choice of medical care threatens life, health, or recovery, then the employee may choose a second physician, surgeon, and hospital services at the employer's expense. Provides for a waiver of employee privacy for the employer to obtain necessary decision making information. Provides for a wage differential award and that such award shall cease when the employee reaches the full retirement age as defined by the Social Security Administration. Provides for reimbursement of out-of-state procedures, treatments, services, products or supplies. Provides for a new medical fee schedule after January 1, 2012, in accordance with the Medicare payment systems (160%). Moves the utilization review program registration and administration to the Department of Insurance. Makes numerous changes regarding employee intoxication, partial or total disability, implants, employment verification documents, and other changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the length limits for the distance between the kingpin and the center of the rear axle of semitrailers longer than 48 feet shall not apply to trailers used for the transport of livestock.