Amends the State Finance Act. Creates a non-appropriated Fund, the Minority Film Support Fund, to be administered by the State Treasurer to help collateralize loans from financial institutions to minority film makers producing films or building or maintaining minority film and television studios when the institution's credit standards would not otherwise be met.
Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "employer".
Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. In the provisions concerning the pharmaceutical assistance program ("Illinois Cares Rx"), provides that Eligibility Group 1 consists of persons who are not eligible for Medicare Part D and who are disabled and under age 65 (eliminates other qualifications based on income and immigration status). Provides that Eligibility Group 3 consists of persons age 65 or older who are eligible for Medicare Part D (eliminates other qualifications based on income and immigration status). Provides that Eligibility Group 4 consists of persons age 65 or older who are not eligible for Medicare Part D (eliminates other qualifications based on income and immigration status).
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2007, the Department of Human Services shall increase TANF grant amounts in effect on June 3, 2007 by 15%. Effective immediately.
Amends the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning an affirmative action program.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Allows an income tax credit for each individual taxpayer who is a teacher teaching in a school in Illinois. Provides that the amount of the credit is equal to 50% of the eligible classroom expenses made by the taxpayer during the taxable year, but the credit may not exceed $500. Defines "eligible classroom expenses" as the aggregate amount of nonreimbursed classroom expenses made by the taxpayer during the taxable year less $250. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Effective immediately.
Creates the Textbook Consumer Information Act. Provides that when contacting prospective clients, each publisher of college textbooks shall disclose to the faculty member or, where applicable, the other entity in charge of selecting textbooks for courses taught at a public institution of higher education (i) the price at which the publisher would make the textbooks and supplementary learning materials available to a college bookstore and (ii) the history of revisions for such products. Provides that any faculty member or entity in charge of selecting textbooks for courses taught at an institution must provide a written statement to the college bookstore placing an order for textbooks detailing all textbooks and supplementary learning materials required for each course, all textbooks and supplementary learning materials suggested for each course, and the earliest edition of any required textbook that may be purchased by a student for that course. Requires college bookstores to make available a listing of all textbooks and supplementary learning materials that are required for courses taught during each term, which shall include new and used textbook retail prices. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
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 Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that an offender's eligibility for a restricted driving permit depends on whether denial of all driving privileges would cause undue hardship, as defined by rules adopted by the Secretary of State. Provides that a person convicted of 4 or more offenses of driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident involving death or personal injury, or reckless homicide, or a combination of those offenses, is not eligible for a restricted driving permit. Provides that the Secretary shall revoke the driving privileges of any person under the age of 21 convicted of an out-of-state offense similar to DUI. Provides that a second suspension of a person's driving privileges for an out-of-state offense similar to DUI, or a single suspension of that type, if coupled with a summary suspension under the Code or a DUI or reckless homicide conviction, shall result in the person's being prohibited from driving a vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock device. Provides that a conviction of reckless homicide (as well as a conviction of DUI) increases the limitations that shall be imposed on a person's driving privileges.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning references to "AFDC" and "TANF".
