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.
Sponsored bills
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 Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Under specified circumstances, allows for a maximum of 5 additional charter schools exclusively for truants or dropouts in Chicago if the limit on the number of charter schools that may operate at any one time in the rest of the State has not been reached. Provides that if any of the additional charter schools are not used exclusively for truants or dropouts, then the State Board of Education shall withhold and the charter school shall forfeit all State funding designated for that school.
Creates the Affordable and Clean Energy Standards (ACES) Act. Provides the findings of the General Assembly. Provides that electric utilities shall utilize cost-effective energy efficiency and load management investment in their energy resource portfolios according to specified guidelines. Provides that the Capital Development Board shall adopt the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code, without amendment, as the statewide residential building code for new home construction and significant additions or remodels of existing homes. Includes a severability clause. Preempts home rule. Effective immediately.
Creates the Illinois Opportunity Fund Act. Contains provisions intended to increase the availability and facilitate the delivery of institutional venture capital to emerging and expanding enterprises in the State of Illinois. Defines the role of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Creates the Illinois Opportunity Fund and provides for the creation of the Illinois Capital Investment Corporation. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Opportunity Special Projects Fund. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that circuit judges and associate judges assigned to domestic violence cases shall participate in risk assessment workshops. Provides that the workshops shall be developed under rules established by the chief judge of the circuit. Provides that the Office of the State's Attorney shall develop a protocol to educate victims of domestic violence requesting the issuance of orders of protection and to warn victims of the dangers of assisting respondents in violating orders of protection. Provides that the Office of the State's Attorney shall: (1) refer each victim of a domestic violence offense to individualized support and advocacy; (2) develop additional techniques and protocols that will enhance Assistant State's Attorneys in prosecuting domestic violence cases; (3) develop protocols to facilitate early identification of individuals with the propensity to commit escalating violence; (4) refer victims of domestic violence to accessible civil legal services; and (5) refer victims of domestic violence to such services that provide counseling, shelter, day care, or emergency financial assistance.
Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Allows a district to impose a development impact fee by ordinance, resolution, or development agreement to. Sets forth considerations in determining the amount of the impact fee. Makes other changes.
Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the application of the Civil Practice Law.
Creates the Primary Stroke Center Designation Act. Sets forth the findings of the General Assembly. Provides that the Director of Public Health shall designate as many hospitals as primary stroke centers as apply for the designation, provided that the hospital meets the criteria set forth in the Act. Provides the criteria necessary for designation as a primary stroke center. Provides that the Director of Public Health may suspend or revoke a hospital's designation as a primary stroke center after notice and hearing if the Director determines that the hospital does not comply with the requirements of the Act. Provides that the Director of Public Health may award matching grants to hospitals that seek designation as primary stroke centers and demonstrate a need for financial assistance to develop the necessary infrastructure. Provides that the Director of Public Health must, not later than July 1, 2009 prepare and submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the General Assembly a report indicating the total number of hospitals that have applied for grants under the Act before July 1, 2009 and the number of those applicants that have been found eligible for the grants, the total number of grants awarded, the name and address of each grantee and hospital and the amount of the award to each, and the amount of each award that has been awarded to the grantee. Effective immediately.
Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act and the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that an animal control officer or a humane society investigator with reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a child is being abused or neglected or is in danger of being abused or neglected must immediately make a written or oral report to the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that any person required to report suspected child abuse or neglect under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act must also immediately report suspected animal abuse or neglect or danger of animal abuse or neglect to the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Welfare. Preempts the exercise of home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.