Rep. Brandon W. Phelps

Congratulates Dr. Charles Seten on the occasion of his retirement from Primary Care Group in Harrisburg.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Removes a provision concerning the inspection of all carbon dioxide pipelines in the State by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Amends the Illinois Gas Pipeline Safety Act. Makes changes to the definitions of "gas", "transportation of gas", and "pipeline facilities". Amends the Carbon Dioxide Transportation and Sequestration Act. Provides that the construction, maintenance, and operation of pipelines transporting carbon dioxide, whether interstate or intrastate, falls within the jurisdiction of the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration of the federal Department of Transportation. Provides that each carbon dioxide pipeline owner shall comply fully with all federal laws and regulations governing the construction, maintenance, and operation of pipelines transporting carbon dioxide. 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.

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that fees for dishonored payments apply to any payment (instead of to each check, money order, or bank draft). Provides that the Secretary shall assess a penalty of 25% for certain dishonored payments. Provides that the Secretary may waive fees for certain duplicate documents for disaster victims who meet specified criteria. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Increases the fee for dishonored payments from $19 to $25 and makes the fee applicable to all dishonored payments (instead of only to checks). Provides that out of each fee collected for dishonored payments, $5 shall be deposited in the Secretary of State Special Services Fund. Provides that penalty fees take effect if the total amount due to the Secretary exceeds $100 (instead of $50). Provides that certain Armed Forces members are exempt from driver's license requirements for a period of 120 (instead of 90) days following the service members' return to the United States. Puts restrictions on the issuance of a graduated driver's license to persons under 18 years of age who are not legally emancipated (instead of legally emancipated by marriage). Removes provisions containing certain restrictions on the operation of a motor vehicle by a graduated driver's license holder. Provides that the Secretary may cancel any license or permit upon determining that the holder has had his or her medical examiner's certificate, medical variance, or both removed or rescinded by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or has failed to self-certify as to the type of driving in which the CDL driver engages or expects to engage. Provides that certain information collected from a driver education provider applicant may be used at administrative hearings relating to the denial, cancellation, suspension, or revocation of a driver training school license. Removes certain language concerning the applicability of a Section concerning chemical testing of motorists involved in a personal injury or fatal motor vehicle accident. Sec. 5.5 of Section 5 and Sec. 3-821 of Section 10 are effective January 1, 2013. The remainder of the Act is effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the amount of the credit for wages paid by the taxpayer to a qualified veteran to 20%, but in no event to exceed $5,000, of the gross wages paid by the taxpayer to a qualified veteran if the veteran (A) was hired by the taxpayer on or after January 1, 2012 and (B) was unemployed at the time he or she was hired by the taxpayer. Exempts the credit from the Act's automatic sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the general homestead exemption.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall issue Gold Star license plates to all siblings of a person who has lost his or her life while serving in the Armed Forces (instead of to only one surviving sibling in the absence of a surviving parent).

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Enhances to aggravated assault or aggravated battery the assault or battery of a letter carrier or postal worker while that individual is performing his or her duties delivering mail for the United States Postal Service. Provides that the robbery of a letter carrier or postal worker while that individual is performing his or her duties delivering mail for the United States Postal Service is a Class 1 (rather than a Class 2) felony.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that no county or municipality may prohibit a charitable organization from soliciting for charitable purposes, including solicitations taking place on public roadways from passing motorists, if certain requirements are met. Sets forth requirements regarding the groups involved, applications and liability insurance. Defines "local agency" to mean a municipality, county, special district, fire district, joint powers of authority, or other political subdivision of the State of Illinois. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Congratulates Robert W. Kaps on the occasion of his retirement as a professor of aviation management at Southern Illinois University.