Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the basic amount of the standard exemption, annually, by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the previous calendar year. 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, beginning July 1, 2007, the tax with respect to textbooks required for use at State universities and public community colleges or certain other institutions of higher learning is imposed under these Acts at the rate of 1.25% (eliminating the State's portion of the tax). Authorizes the Department of Revenue to adopt rules. Amends the State Finance Act to adjust the distribution with respect to this tax. Effective immediately.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that any gas utility may enter into a contract for up to 20 years of supply with any company for the purchase of synthetic natural gas (rather than a 20-year supply contract with any company for synthetic natural gas) produced from coal through the gasification process if the company has commenced construction of a coal gasification facility by July 1, 2009 (rather than July 1, 2008). Makes changes in factors used to determine whether the cost for synthetic natural gas is reasonable and prudent. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.
Creates the Judicial Campaign Reform Act and amends the Election Code, the State Finance Act, the Illinois Income Tax Act, and the Clerks of Courts Act. Creates a voluntary program of public financing of election campaigns for the offices of judges of the Illinois Supreme Court and Appellate Courts, administered by the State Board of Elections. Establishes funding mechanisms and provides penalties for violations. Sets mandatory contribution limits with respect to all judicial election campaigns. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2009.
Amends the State Finance Act, the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Act. Extends the duration and increases the amounts of deposits of certain use and occupation tax proceeds into the McCormick Place Expansion Project Fund. Increases certain bond authorization limits of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority from $2,107,000,000 to $2,457,000,000 and makes changes to the required maturity dates of the bonds. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Congratulates the students, staff, and faculty of Douglas Taylor Elementary School in Chicago on being honored as one of the ten national 2009 Breakthrough Schools by MetLife Foundation and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Congratulates Ray Harris on the occasion of his retirement as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs of AFSCME Council 31.
Congratulates Jessie Denson on the occasion of her retirement as Missionary President of the Women's Ministries of the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago.
Amends the Mercury-added Product Prohibition Act. Provides that no person shall distribute or sell any cosmetics, toiletries, or fragrances containing mercury. Provides that any person who knowingly sells or distributes mercury-containing cosmetics, toiletries, or fragrances in this State commits a petty offense and shall be fined up to $500. Provides that a manufacturer that distributes cosmetics, toiletries, or fragrances containing mercury to persons in this State must disclose the level of mercury in its cosmetics, toiletries, or fragrances. A manufacturer who fails to disclose the level of mercury in its cosmetics, toiletries, or fragrances commits a business offense and shall be fined $10,000. Effective January 1, 2009.
