Rep. Mike Bost

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, and the motor vehicle privilege tax provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Exempts from these taxes motor vehicles sold to an Illinois resident who is a service member on active duty or returning to Illinois from active duty and who applies for registration in Illinois while on active duty or within one year after leaving active duty.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Illinois Community College Board.

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that communications by and among community college trustees on an Internet blog do not constitute a meeting under certain circumstances.

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Governor shall submit a proposed budget for higher education in which total GRF appropriations are no less than the total GRF appropriations of the previous fiscal year, unless the Governor declares in writing to the General Assembly the reason for lesser amounts. Provides that the General Assembly shall appropriate amounts for higher education from GRF for each fiscal year so that the total GRF appropriation is no less than the total GRF appropriation for the previous fiscal year, unless the General Assembly declares by Joint Resolution the reason for lesser amounts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for any amount that is included in a taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income for the taxable year as a result of a voucher received under the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) established under the federal Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Creates the offense of improper use of public funds. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly misappropriates, misuses, or unlawfully withholds or converts to his or her own use or to the use of another any public funds made available through a gubernatorial or legislative member initiative. Provides that an official or employee of the State or a unit of local government who knowingly facilitates, aids, abets, assists, or participates in the misappropriation, misuse, or unlawful withholding or conversion to his or her own use or to the use of another any public funds made available through a gubernatorial or legislative member initiative also commits the offense. Provides that a person convicted of a felony violation of improper use of public funds is ineligible to receive any grant or contract from the State of Illinois. Defines "gubernatorial or legislative member initiative" and "infrastructure improvements".

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the credit for wages paid to qualified veterans also applies to wages paid to employees who are currently a member of the Illinois National Guard or a member of any reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States. Effective immediately.

Congratulates Dr. Gerald McClallen on becoming the President of the Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society.

Mourns the death of Major John Francis Lynn, United States Marine Corps, Retired, of Marion.

Amends the Universal Telephone Service Protection Law of 1985 in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that provisions concerning the authority to serve as a 9-1-1 system provider do not apply to a not-for-profit entity that is involved in a regional pilot project to implement Next Generation 9-1-1 based on the Research and Innovative Technology Administration in the United States Department of Transportation. Effective immediately.