Amends the Recreational Use of Land and Water Areas Act. Provides that the definition of recreational or conservation purpose is expanded beyond hunting, recreational shooting, or related activities to include: entry by the general public onto the land of another for any activity undertaken for conservation, resource management, education, hiking, climbing, cycling, picnicking, swimming, fishing, horseback riding, bird watching, sight-seeing, skiing, ice skating, sledding, use of non-motorized watercraft, and the use of an easement to permit public passage across such land for access to a public park, historic site, trail, water area, or other public recreational area. The changes apply only to causes of action accruing on or after January 1, 2011. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that all accumulated tax incremental revenues not specifically appropriated for defined costs for projects within a redevelopment project area by the end of a municipality's fiscal year shall be deemed "surplus" funds. Provides that all surplus funds in the special tax allocation fund shall be distributed annually within 60 (instead of 180) days after the close of the municipality's fiscal year. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to re-enact certain provisions of Public Act 94-677, which was declared to be unconstitutional. Includes explanatory, validation, and severability provisions. Includes revisory changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that if any property tax is twice assessed for the same year, or assessed before it becomes taxable, and the erroneously assessed taxes have been paid either at sale or otherwise, or if properly assessed taxes have been overpaid (instead of or have been overpaid) by the same claimant or by different claimants, the county collector shall refund the taxes. Provides that in counties having a population of more than 3,000,000, if the county collector receives payment of any erroneously assessed taxes or overpayment of properly assessed taxes, the county collector shall: (1) pay, within 120 days after receipt of the payment or overpayment, a refund to the proper claimant regardless of whether a claim for refund is filed; or (2) when more than one person made the payment or overpayment and the county collector cannot determine to whom the refund should be made, send a notice within 30 days by certified mail return received requested after receipt of the payment or overpayment advising those persons that a refund is due and the procedures to follow to obtain a refund.
Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning State employees.
Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Makes changes with respect to the revolving door prohibition. Sets the trigger at contracts with a cumulative value of over $50,000 (now, $25,000), and removes the requirement that the procurement participation of the former officer, member, or State employee was personal and substantial. Requires that the former officer, member, or State employee participated in making (now, made) a regulatory or licensing decision. Requires that a person subject to the revolving door prohibition must report to the appropriate ethics officer any offer of employment, compensation, or fees for services from a person or entity, or the entity's parent or subsidiary, that, during the last year of State service by the relevant officer, member, or State employee, sought or received (i) State contracts of more than $50,000 or (ii) a directly applicable regulatory or licensing decision. Provides penalties for failure to report within 5 business days after an offer. Permits (now, requires) granting of a waiver upon a showing that the prospective employment or relationship did not affect the procurement or regulatory decision. Provides that a showing must include at least a filed report. Prohibits the granting of a waiver to a person who has failed to file a report.
Mourns the death of Randall "Randy" Sherman.
Creates the Illinois Innovation Zone Act. Specifies the criteria for an area to qualify as an Innovation Zone. Contains provisions concerning the creation of Zones by a municipality or county. Contains provisions concerning the application of a county or municipality to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for certification of a Zone. Contains provisions concerning the amendment and decertification of Zones. Contains provisions concerning the adoption of tax increment financing. Specifies the powers and duties of the Department. Contains provisions concerning State incentives regarding public services and physical infrastructure. Contains provisions concerning Zone administration. Contains provisions concerning (1) income tax deductions, and (2) State and local regulatory alternatives. Contains provisions concerning loans made under specified provisions of the Act. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Innovation Zone Loan Fund as a special fund in the State treasury and specifies the purpose of the Fund. Contains provisions concerning (1) the construction of specified provisions of the Act, (2) the confidentiality of specified materials, (3) the annual report from the Department to specified parties, and (4) the use of federal moneys. Creates the Illinois Innovation Council and specifies its responsibilities, powers, and duties. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act to add provisions concerning tax credits for businesses located in a Zone. Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to add specified exemptions concerning Zones.
Amends the Older Adult Services Act. In provisions concerning the development of a plan to restructure the State's service delivery system for older adults, provides that the Department on Aging and the Departments of Public Health and Healthcare and Family Services shall develop the plan no later than September 30, 2010. Provides that the plan shall protect the rights of all older Illinoisans to services based on their health circumstances and functioning level, regardless of whether they receive their care in their homes, in a community setting, or in a residential facility. Provides that financing for older adult services shall take into account individual preference but shall not jeopardize the health, safety, or level of care of nursing home residents. Effective immediately.
Creates the Afterschool Youth Development Project Act. Provides that because it is the policy of this State to provide all young people between the ages of 6 and 19 with access to quality afterschool programs through a State commitment to sufficient and sustainable funding for programs that promote positive youth development, the Illinois Youth Development Council is created. Provides that the purpose of the Council is to provide oversight and coordination to the State's public funds currently invested to support positive youth development programs and activities and to set system-wide policies and priorities to accomplish 5 specified objectives. Provides that the Council shall be governed by a board of no less than 28 and no more than 32 members and that the Council shall reflect the regional, racial, socio-economic, and cultural diversity of the State to ensure representation of the needs of all Illinois youth. Contains provisions concerning Council member appointments; the establishment of an independent Youth Advisory Group; the major objectives of the Council; afterschool demonstration programs; reporting requirements; and other matters. Provides that the Council shall be created within the Department of Human Services and that the Department shall provide resources to the Council including administrative services and data collection. Effective immediately.