Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the corporate authorities of a non-home rule municipality, without submitting the question of authorization to the electors, may authorize the issuance of bonds.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "bus rapid transit vehicle" as a bus specifically authorized by the Department of Transportation to be operated upon highways and shoulders for bus rapid transit. Adds bus rapid transit vehicles to the list of vehicles exempted from prohibitions against driving on the shoulder. Creates the Bus Rapid Transit Pilot Program. Provides that commencing on the effective date of this Act, the Department, in cooperation with the Regional Transportation Authority and the Illinois State Police, shall establish a 5-year pilot program within the boundaries of the Regional Transportation Authority for bus rapid transit on highways and shoulders. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules as necessary to implement the bus rapid transit pilot program, and that the Department shall present to the General Assembly a report on the effectiveness of bus rapid transit at the conclusion of the 5-year pilot program. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Exempts special purpose extensions made by any taxing district for payment of that district's share of the amounts required to be contributed to any pension fund created under the Illinois Pension Code from the definition of "aggregate extension". Effective immediately.
Amends the Civic Center Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning a civic center authority's power to incur obligations.
Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning evidence.
Congratulates Michael A. Richards for his many years of service to his community.
Creates the State Facility Overtime Act. Provides that the Director of the State agency responsible for the operation of specified State facilities (or the Director's designee or agent) may not require an employee to accept work in excess of an agreed upon, predetermined, and regularly scheduled daily work shift, not to exceed 40 hours per week. Provides for: exceptions to the prohibition; posting a summary of the Act and applicable rules; investigation of complaints by the Illinois Department of Labor and disposition of complaints; adoption of administrative rules; construction; and other matters. Effective immediately.
Creates the High-Speed Rail Authority Act. Contains only a short title provision.
Shows the General Assembly's support for the provisions of the Employee Free Choice Act, which would authorize the National Labor Relations Board to certify a union as the bargaining representative when a majority of employees voluntarily sign authorization cards designating the union they wish to represent them, provide for first contract mediation and arbitration, and establish meaningful penalties for violations of a worker's freedom to choose a union.
Creates the Emerging Technology Industries Act. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish and maintain a program to award grants to emerging-technology enterprises in the State. Sets forth eligibility requirements and funding priorities for awarding the grants, and sets forth procedures for awarding the grants. Requires written contracts in which the emerging-technology enterprise guarantees that it will perform the actions expected to be performed. Sets dollar limits on matching funds for federal Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants and total grant matching funds per year. Limits total credits to $15,000,000 in any one State fiscal year. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Emerging Technology Grant Fund. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for qualified investors who make an investment in an emerging technology enterprise in the State. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity must certify the amount of the credit and sets forth the procedures for the application and certification of the credit. Sets forth provisions for the revocation and recapture of the tax credit. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.
