Rep. Bob Rita

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that, for purposes of the Code, a person who does not have a contract with the primary contractor is not a subcontractor. Provides that contracts for procurements conducted by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority shall include only the names and addresses of all known subcontractors with subcontracts with an annual value of more than $25,000. Provides that for certain subcontracts for procurements, the disclosure of financial interests and the annual certification of continuing eligibility shall be required only from known subcontractors with subcontracts with an annual value of more than $25,000. Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that moneys in the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Fund may be invested in interest bearing bonds of specified units of government, school district, or political subdivisions or agencies, whether the interest earned the bonds is taxable or tax exempt under federal law, provided such bonds shall be rated at the time of purchase within the 4 highest general classifications established by a rating service of nationally recognized expertise in rating bonds of states and their political subdivisions. Changes certain definitions, makes pronouns gender-neutral, and changes "Chairman" to "Chair". Deletes, repeals, or changes various provisions regarding: the appointment of certain directors; certain salaries; acquisition of certain school property; eminent domain; amnesty for toll evasion; bids and contracts for certain work; new and existing toll highways; legislative intent; certain appropriations; the transfer of powers and duties from another entity; and the Act's effective date. Moves certain provisions from one location in the Act to another location. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, upon application of the owner of the certificate of purchase, the court shall declare a tax sale to be a sale in error if the improvements upon the property sold have been substantially destroyed or rendered uninhabitable or otherwise unfit for occupancy prior to the issuance of the tax deed (instead of subsequent to the tax sale and prior to the issuance of the tax deed). Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a Section of the Code requiring tax purchasers to either reimburse any governmental agency that has an interest in the property as a result of certain advancements made from public funds or obtain a waiver of the lien applies to (i) interests held by the State as well as cities, villages, incorporated towns, and other units of local government that provide water or sewer service and (ii) interests based on the provision of water or sewer services.

Amends the School Code. Provides that within 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, on a date set by the State Board of Education, a special election must be held in each county to elect members to a county school board. Provides that on July 1, 2012, (i) all school districts in this State in existence on June 30, 2012 (other than the Chicago school district) are dissolved; (ii) their school boards are abolished; (iii) the terms of all board members end; and (iv) all of the powers, duties, assets, liabilities, employees, contracts, property, records, pending business, and unexpended funds of each school board are transferred to the appropriate county school board or boards. Provides that on July 1, 2012, each county shall constitute one school district to be governed by a county school board, unless the county school board has divided the county into 2 or more school districts, in which case each of those school districts shall be governed by a school board elected as provided under the Code, and the county school board shall be dissolved upon those school board members taking office. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Accounting Act. Creates provisions that concern accounting activities and applicability of the Act. Makes changes to provisions concerning definitions; the Board of Examiners; the Public Accountant Registration Committee; the Administrative Procedure Act; transitional language; certification of out-of-State accountants; substantial equivalency; unauthorized use of title; violations; civil penalties; powers and duties of the Department; sharing of information; application for licensure; qualifications; foreign accountants; licensure by endorsement; additional requirements for firms; expiration and renewal of licenses; renewal of registration; continuing education; the provision concerning the restoration of registrations and licenses; inactive status; hearings; grounds for discipline; license or registration; subpoenas; depositions; oaths; the provision concerning the preservation a record at a hearing; criminal penalties; the provision concerning injunction proceedings; the improper influence on the conduct of audits; and misleading behavior by licensees. Repeals provisions concerning licensure; practicing as a licensed public accountant or licensed certified public accountant; unlicensed practice; and unlicensed practice; violations; and civil penalties. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to extend the repeal of the Illinois Public Account Act from January 1, 2014 to January 1, 2023. Effective July 1, 2012.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal date for the Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Act of 2002 to January 1, 2022 from January 1, 2012. Effective immediately.

Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act. Provides for the election of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioners from the same subdistricts as members of the Cook County Board of Review. Phases in the election from the subdistricts at the 2012, 2014, and 2016 general elections. Authorizes cumulative voting for commissioners. Changes the terms of commissioners from 6 years to a combination of 4-year and 2-year terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that the Board of Directors of the Regional Transportation Authority shall adopt regulations to ensure that certain construction projects or acquisitions involving a cost of more than $100,000 (now, $10,000) and the disposition of all specified property shall be after public notice and with public bidding. Effective immediately.

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that after the approval by ordinance of a redevelopment plan and designation of redevelopment project area, the plan may be amended and additional properties may be added to the redevelopment project area without notice, a meeting of the joint review board, or a public hearing if (i) the amendment adds additional properties that include dilapidated public bridges owned by the municipality and (ii) the municipality approves the amendment by ordinance before October 1, 2012. Sets forth requirements concerning notice of the changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Chicago Laborers Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the city shall levy a tax annually at a rate on the dollar of the value, as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue of all taxable property within the city for the year 2012 and each year thereafter, that will produce, when extended, an amount equal to or greater than the total amount of contributions made by or on behalf of employees to the Fund for annuity purposes in the calendar year 2 years prior to the year for which the annual applicable tax is levied, multiplied by 1.00. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.