Rep. Thaddeus Jones

Mourns the death of Terrence James "T.J." Shirley of Lansing.

Mourns the death of Dwight Ligon, Jr.

Designates the date of February 7, 2012, as "National African-American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day" in the State of Illinois.

Thanks the Hennessey River Oaks Ford dealership in Calumet City for 45 years of business.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that 2 adjoining disadvantaged municipalities may form a business corridor by intergovernmental agreement. Defines "disadvantaged municipality". Provides that the business corridor shall encompass only territory along the common border of the municipalities that is (i) undeveloped or underdeveloped and (ii) not likely be developed without the creation of the business corridor. Provides that the agreement must contain certain information. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that tangible personal property purchased from a business located in a business corridor is exempt from taxation under the Acts beginning on the first day of the first month to occur not less than 30 days after the business corridor is established and continuing through December 31 of the fifth calendar year after the business corridor is established. Provides that, in the sixth calendar year after the business corridor is established, the tax is imposed on that tangible personal property at the rate of 3%. Provides that the proceeds of the tax imposed at the rate of 3% shall be distributed to the municipalities.

Amends the School Code. Provides that if, after 2 years following its placement on academic watch status, a school district or school remains on academic watch status, then the State Board of Education shall direct the school board to operate its schools or the school on a full-year school plan approved by the State Board of Education upon expiration of its teachers' current collective bargaining agreement. Requires the school board, in such a case, to devise a plan so that a student's required attendance in school shall be for a minimum term of 180 days of actual attendance, including not more than 4 institute days, during a 12-month period (now, the minimum term under a full-year school plan must also not exceed 185 days).

Amends the Technology Development Act. Authorizes the State Treasurer to segregate up to 3% of the Treasurer's investment portfolio in the Technology Development Account IIa. Authorizes investments from the account to provide venture capital to help attract, assist, and retain quality technology businesses in Illinois. Provides that the Treasurer may solicit proposals from entities to manage and be the General Partner of Technology Development Account IIb, a separate fund consisting of investments from private sector investors that must invest, at the direction of the Treasurer, in tandem with TDA IIa. Sets restrictions and conditions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Removes residential driveways from the exception to the prohibition against depositing removed ice or snow upon a public highway or along the shoulder or edge of a public highway. Effective immediately.

Commends Glennita Williams for her work with America's Guardian Angels.