Rep. Thomas Holbrook

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning waste from multiple generators.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption, under which an exemption from the property's value is granted for residential property that is owned and occupied as a residence by a veteran for the tax year in which the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. 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, extends the alternative exemption by an additional 3 years. Provides that the maximum amount of the exemption is $60,000 if the general assessment year for the property is 2006 or later. Provides that the base year for counties other than Cook County is the 2005 or 2006 tax year. Provides that, to subject itself to the provisions of the alternative general homestead exemption, a county must adopt an ordinance to that effect within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Health Program Beneficiary Employer Disclosure Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall make available in print, upon request and at no charge, and on its World Wide Web site, information on where customers of gas utilities and alternative gas suppliers can address any complaint with regard to the provision of service, sales tactics, and rates. Provides that the Commission shall log all complaints it receives pursuant to specified provisions and publish them by category and provider on an annual basis or make the information available through its World Wide Web site.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Sets forth procedures for calculating the value of certain leasehold estates for property that is owned by the United States Air Force and that is leased to another whose property is not exempt and who uses that property for the purpose of design, finance, construction, renovation, management, operation, and maintenance of rental housing units. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code and the Counties Code. Provides that it is a State's Attorney's duty to notify the State Superintendent of Education upon the conviction of any individual known to possess a certificate issued under the School Code of any of certain offenses or any other felony conviction. In the criminal history records check provisions of the School Code, makes changes concerning the offenses for which a school board may not knowingly employ a person. Provides that no one may be certified to teach or supervise in the public schools who has been convicted of certain offenses (instead of providing that in determining good character, any felony conviction of an applicant may be taken into consideration, but such a conviction shall not operate as a bar to registration). In provisions concerning suspension or revocation of a certificate, provides that the State Superintendent of Education has the exclusive authority to initiate the suspension of up to 5 calendar years or revocation of any certificate (instead of providing that a certificate may be suspended for a period not to exceed one calendar year by the regional superintendent of schools or for a period not to exceed 5 calendar years by the State Superintendent). With respect to certificate suspension and revocation, makes changes concerning an investigation, notice, a hearing, an appeal, and the offenses that are grounds for suspension and revocation. Makes other changes.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning civil penalties.

Amends the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to adopt rules for an alternative health care model to allow for the creation of no more 3 Long Term Care Hospitals (LTCH) in the State of Illinois, one of which shall be located in the area of Illinois within the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area. Provides that these model long term care hospitals must be created by converting facilities previously licensed as long-term care facilities under the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that these converted facilities shall provide services to patients whose medical condition requires long-term medical care but not at the level provided by a hospital licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act, a sub-acute care hospital licensed under the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act, or a long-term care facility licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act and certified as a Skilled Nursing Facility.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the amount of the earned income tax credit from 5% of the federal credit to: (i) 7.5% of the federal tax credit for taxable years ending in calendar year 2007; and (ii) 10% of the federal tax credit for taxable years ending in calendar year 2008 or thereafter. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a member who is eligible to receive a retirement annuity of at least 74.6% of final average salary and who will attain age 55 on or after May 15 of the calendar year of retirement shall be deemed to attain age 55 on May 15 of that calendar year (now who will attain age 55 on or before December 31 during the year which commences on July 1 shall be deemed to attain age 55 on the preceding June 1). Includes language exempting the changes from provisions concerning new benefit increases. Effective immediately.