Rep. Jerry F. Costello, II

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act in the provision concerning the Illinois National Guard and Naval Militia grant program. Provides that beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year, any person who has served over 10 years in the Illinois National Guard shall be awarded an additional grant to the State-controlled university or community college of his or her choice, consisting of an exemption from tuition and fees for not more than the equivalent of an additional 2 years of full-time enrollment, including summer terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that an application for a concealed carry license shall contain the applicant's valid driver's license number, valid state identification card number, or valid United States Military identification card number.

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act and the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, with respect to any project located at an ethanol plant, if the amount of the credit exceeds the taxpayer's Illinois income tax liability for the taxable year, then the excess credit amounts may be refunded to the taxpayer.

Urges Congress to elevate the national status of Cahokia Mounds and thematically-connected Mound Complexes that are deemed suitable and nationally-significant as a non-contiguous National Historical Park. Alternatively calls upon the President to exercise his authority by Executive Order to designate Cahokia Mounds as a National Monument.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall require all public institutions of higher education to create, on or before July 1, 2014, a statewide core transfer library of at least 25 lower division courses across all public institutions of higher education that are transferable among all public institutions of higher education. Requires the Board to establish policies and procedures to ensure such courses are accepted for transfer among public institutions of higher education and treated as equivalent to similar courses at the receiving institutions. Requires the Board to develop a policy to foster reverse transfer for any student who has accumulated enough hours in combination with at least one public community college and one public university in the prescribed courses sufficient to meet the community college's requirements to be awarded an associate's degree. Effective July 1, 2013.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that every hunting or trapping device, vehicle, or conveyance is a public nuisance and subject to seizure and confiscation by any authorized employee of the Department of Natural Resources when used or operated illegally, or attempted to be used or operated illegally by any person in taking, transporting, holding, or conveying any wild bird or wild mammal, contrary to the provisions of the Act, only when the taking, transporting, holding, or conveying is charged as a felony. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Children and Family Services, to establish a bullying hotline for students, parents, teachers, and other parties to report any violence happening on school property, on a school bus, or over the Internet via cyberbullying. Provides that the hotline shall consist of a statewide, toll-free telephone number, with voicemail capabilities provided after working hours. Provides that the State Board shall also maintain an Internet website for reports to be submitted online. Requires the State Board to adopt rules to implement these provisions.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the unlawful delivery of a controlled substance to a pregnant woman.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act with respect to the Illinois Veteran Grant Program. Provides that a person is a qualified applicant for a grant if, among other qualifications, the person returned to this State within one year (instead of 6 months) after leaving federal active duty service or, if married to a person in continued military service stationed outside this State, returned to this State within one year (instead of 6 months) after his or her spouse left service or was stationed within this State.

Amends the Military Code of Illinois. Changes the required grade for the position of Adjutant General from Major General to Lieutenant General. Provides that the Adjutant General shall serve as both the Director of the Department of Military Affairs and as the Commander of the Illinois National Guard; makes a conforming change. In the Section concerning the Department of Military Affairs' power to make grants from the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund, provides that the Department has the power to make grants to (1) members of the Illinois National Guard or Illinois residents who are members of the reserves of the armed forces of the United States who have been called to active duty as a result of an emergency declared by the President or Congress or as defined by administrative rule of the Department (rather than as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks) and (2) members of the Illinois National Guard who have been called to State Active Duty for 30 or more consecutive days of duty; makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.