Creates the Pension Funding and Fairness Act. Provides that the maximum annual percentage change in State fiscal year spending in the categories specified may not exceed the inflation adjustment factor plus the population adjustment factor and any increases attributable to specified measures. Provides that, in order to adopt an increase in State spending beyond that limitation or in order to adopt an increase in State revenue, a measure must be approved by a three-fifths supermajority vote of all members of each house of the General Assembly and must be approved by a majority of voters. Provides for the imposition of an emergency tax. Establishes the Past Due Paydown Fund and provides that the General Assembly may authorize transfers, appropriations, and allocations from the fund only to fund the costs of paying down the remaining past due debt. Provides that any remaining funds shall be transferred to the State Budget Stabilization Fund. Establishes the State Budget Stabilization Fund to fund the costs of State government up to the expenditure limit in years when State revenues are less than the amount necessary to finance the level of expenditures. Provides that the fund may not exceed 8% of the total General Fund revenues received in the immediately preceding fiscal year, and any excess shall be transferred to the Taxpayer Relief Fund. Establishes the Taxpayer Relief Fund, and provides that, if the amount in the fund exceeds 1% of General Fund expenditures, then the General Assembly shall enact legislation to provide for the refund to taxpayers of amounts in the fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Past Due Paydown Fund, the State Budget Stabilization Fund, and the Taxpayer Relief Fund as special funds in the State treasury. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Counties Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning board meetings.
Creates the State Employee Commuter Vehicle Registration Act. Requires each current State employee who has been employed by a State agency for more than 1 year to be able, within 60 days after the date of his or her one-year service anniversary with that agency or within 60 days after the effective date of the Act, whichever is later, to furnish evidence that he or she has registered his or her commuter vehicle with the State. Defines "commuter vehicle", "State agency", and "State employee". Effective immediately.
Urges Congress to adopt legislation prohibiting the EPA, by any means necessary, from regulating greenhouse gas emissions, including if necessary defunding the EPA greenhouse gas regulatory activities, to impose a moratorium on the promulgation of any new air quality regulations by the EPA, except to directly address an imminent health or environmental emergency, for a period of at least two years, and to require the present Presidential administration to undertake a comprehensive study identifying all regulatory activity that the EPA intends to undertake in furtherance of its goal of "taking action on climate change and improving air quality" and specifying the cumulative effect of all of these regulations on the economy, jobs, and American economic competitiveness.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if the county board or county board of commissioners determines that a member of an appointed board of review is not properly qualified, then the county board or county board of commissioners may provide for the removal of that board of review member. Effective immediately.
Urges the President to take emergency action to ensure water levels do not fall below a level needed by commercial navigation on the Mississippi River and to direct the Army Corps of Engineers to avert potential economic disaster on this vital avenue. Urges the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite and fully implement alternative emergency measures to remedy this situation and to deviate from planned operations outlined in the Missouri River Master Water Control Manual and exercise its authority to address situations when appropriate.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides an alternative procedure that a large public utility may choose in establishing the ratemaking rate base of a water or sewer utility that the large public utility is acquiring. Defines "large public utility" and "water or sewer utility". Provides that the Commission's order that approves the large public utility's acquisition of the water or sewer utility shall include the Commission's decision establishing (1) the ratemaking rate base of the water or sewer utility and (2) the district or tariff group with which the water or sewer utility will be combined for ratemaking purposes. Sets forth provisions concerning definitions, appraisers and their duties, ratemaking rate base, and rate cases. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Creates the Plastic Bulk Merchandise Container Act. Provides that a person who is in the business of recycling, shredding, or destroying plastic bulk merchandise containers, before purchasing 5 or more plastic bulk merchandise containers from the same person, shall obtain a proof of ownership, create a record of the sale, and verify the identity of the seller. Provides that a person who is in the business of recycling, shredding, or destroying plastic bulk merchandise containers shall not pay for the containers in cash and shall record the method of payment used to purchase the containers. Requires the purchaser to keep a record of the sale for one year. Provides that a person who violates the Act is guilty of a petty offense and subject to a fine not exceeding $500. Provides that the Attorney General may inspect records and investigate alleged violations.
Amends the Jackson-Union Counties Regional Port District Act. Provides that on the effective date of the amendatory Act, the terms of the current members of the Jackson-Union Counties Regional Port District Board shall terminate. Provides that the reconstituted Board shall consist of 7 members, rather than 23 members who are currently appointed to the Board. Sets forth procedures concerning the appointment of new Board members. Provides that 4 (now, 12) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Makes corresponding changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, on or after July 1, 2012 and on or before December 31, 2018, the taxes imposed under the Acts apply to (i) 90% of the proceeds of sales of gasohol, (ii) 80% of the proceeds of sales of E20 blended ethanol fuel, and (iii) 60% of the proceeds of sales of E30 blended ethanol fuel. Provides that an exemption for majority blended ethanol fuel applies through December 31, 2018 (instead of December 31, 2013). Amends the Illinois Renewable Fuels Development Program Act. Provides that grants may be awarded for the following programs: a next generation renewable fuels program, a majority blended ethanol and blender pump infrastructure program, and a research and development program for sustainable corn production and corn-based renewable fuel production. Sets forth the maximum aggregate amount of grants that may be awarded under each program. Effective immediately.