Rep. Luis Arroyo

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders to the extent that the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders are not already covered by the policy or plan. Provides that this coverage shall be subject to a maximum benefit of $36,000 per year, but shall not be subject to any limits on the number of visits to an autism service provider. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $1 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for loan assistance under the Child Welfare Student Loan Forgiveness Act. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Changes references in the statute on unlawful sale of firearms from "sell" or "give" to "transfer". Prohibits multiple sales of handguns within a 30-day period. Creates the offense of unlawful acquisition of handguns. Provides exemptions and affirmative defenses. Penalty is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that each county sheriff's office shall establish a Firearm Relinquishment Amnesty Program. Provides that a municipal police department may establish a Firearm Relinquishment Amnesty Program. Provides that a resident of the county or municipality where the law enforcement agency that has established a Firearm Relinquishment Amnesty Program is located may, without identifying himself or herself and without being subject to prosecution for a violation of State law or a county or municipal ordinance relating to the illegal possession of that firearm, transfer the firearm to that local law enforcement agency if the resident informs the local law enforcement agency at least 24 hours prior to the transfer of the firearm to the local law enforcement agency. Provides that failure to notify the local law enforcement agency at least 24 hours prior to the transfer of the firearm to the local law enforcement agency shall abrogate the resident's immunity from prosecution and permit the local law enforcement agency to question the resident about the possession of the firearm if the resident's possession of the firearm violates State law or a county or municipal ordinance. Provides that it is an affirmative defense to a violation of State law or a county or municipal ordinance that prohibits, regulates, or restricts the private ownership of firearms if the individual who is charged with the violation complied with the notification requirements of the Program. Preempts home rule. Provides that no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by these provisions. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled facilities, or facilities licensed by the Department of Human Services under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act, in any calendar year in which there is a cost-of-living increase in federal Supplemental Security Income benefits or Social Security Administration payments, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall increase the Medicaid per diem rate paid to those facilities by an amount equal to the total amount of the increase in Supplemental Security Income benefits or Social Security Administration payments. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption, under which an exemption from the property's value is granted for residential property that is owned and occupied as a residence by a veteran for the tax year in which the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. In a Section concerning the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, provides that in all counties (now, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants), the county board may by resolution provide that if a person has been granted the homestead exemption, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption. In a Section concerning the alternative general homestead exemption, extends the alternative exemption by an additional 3 years. Provides that the maximum amount of the exemption is $60,000 if the general assessment year for the property is 2006 or later. Provides that the base year for counties other than Cook County is the 2005 or 2006 tax year. Provides that, to subject itself to the provisions of the alternative general homestead exemption, a county must adopt an ordinance to that effect within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Makes other changes. 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 Income Tax Act. Creates a tax credit, for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2007 and on or before December 30, 2012, for taxpayers who, during the taxable year, pay any fee or similar cost imposed by the federal government for an employee of the taxpayer to become a naturalized citizen. Provides that the amount of the credit is an amount equal to those costs. 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.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the legislative purpose of the Act.