Rep. Fred Crespo

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Allows an income tax credit for each individual taxpayer who is a teacher teaching in a school in Illinois. Provides that the amount of the credit is equal to 50% of the eligible classroom expenses made by the taxpayer during the taxable year, but the credit may not exceed $500. Defines "eligible classroom expenses" as the aggregate amount of nonreimbursed classroom expenses made by the taxpayer during the taxable year less $250. 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 Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that if a minor is found to be a delinquent minor by reason of the commission of a gang-related offense, and the court finds that the minor is a first-time offender and orders that a parent, guardian, or legal custodian retain custody of that minor, the court may order the parent, guardian, or legal custodian to attend antigang violence parenting classes. Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services shall establish curriculum for the antigang violence parenting classes. Provides that the father, mother, spouse, or other person liable for the support of the minor, the estate of that person, and the estate of the minor shall be liable for the cost of classes, unless the court finds that the person or estate does not have the financial ability to pay. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that if any lessee or occupant, on one or more occasions, uses or permits the use of leased premises for the commission of any act that would constitute a violation of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act or the Deadly Weapons Article of the Criminal Code of 1961 or of any municipal or county ordinance relating to the registration, acquisition, carrying, possession, or use of firearms, firearm attachments, or firearm ammunition, and the owner or lessor does not bring or assign the State's Attorney to bring an action for forcible entry and detainer to recover possession of the leased premises, the State's Attorney shall bring such action on behalf of the owner or lessor without the consent of the owner or lessor.

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.

In addition to all other amounts appropriated for these purposes, appropriates $45,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services to fund a $0.50-per-hour wage increase for non-executive staff of private-sector agencies serving individuals with developmental disabilities. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the State Finance Act. Caps transfers in FY08 and thereafter from the Road Fund to the Department of State Police at $45,000,000 per fiscal year (now, capped at 1990 levels) and to the Secretary of State at $30,000,000 per fiscal year (now, $30,500,000). Terminates certain authority in FY08 and thereafter to make transfers to the General Revenue Fund from the Road Fund, State Construction Account Fund, Criminal Justice Information Systems Trust Fund, Wireless Emergency Service Fund, and Mandatory Arbitration Fund. Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In the Section concerning post-mastectomy care, requires insurance companies to provide coverage for (1) a minimum of 24 hours of inpatient care following a lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer or (2) a minimum of 48 hours of inpatient care following a mastectomy or breast conserving surgery for the treatment of breast cancer. Prohibits insurance companies from giving incentives or penalties to physicians or providers. Provides that insurance companies must provide notice of the required coverage to each participant and beneficiary. Makes other changes.

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.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning grants for preschool education programs.

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, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act to provide coverage for habilitative services, including, but not limited to occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy for children under the age of 19 with congenital or genetic defects existing at or from birth or with a defect acquired at a young age. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit through taxable years ending before December 31, 2013 to taxpayers who, during the taxable year, pay qualified wages to one or more net new employees. Sets the amount of the credit at the amount of Illinois income taxes withheld by the taxpayer with respect to a net new employee. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Defines "net new employees" as the number of Illinois-based employees on the taxpayer's withholding rolls on the last day of the current taxable year less the number of Illinois-based employees on the taxpayer's withholding rolls on December 31, 2006. Defines "qualified wages" as wages or salary of at least $22,000 but not more than $40,000 per year. Effective immediately.