Amends the Energy Efficient Building Act. Provides that the Capital Development Board shall adopt, every 3 years (now, no time requirement), the latest published edition of the International Energy Conservation Code as minimum requirements for commercial buildings. Provides that the Board shall adopt, at least every 6 years (now, no time requirement), the Code as the minimum and maximum requirements for residential buildings. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2012, the Board shall review and consider adopting the latest published edition of the Code within one year of its publication and may adopt the latest edition upon review (now, the Board shall adopt the Code within 9 months after its publication). Provides that the Code shall take effect 6 months (now, 3 months) after it is adopted by the Board. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall make training available to builders and others to explain the requirements of the Code. Provides that the Department shall make funds available for the training. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Counties Code. Authorizes a county to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with any forest preserve district that exempts the district from compliance with county zoning ordinances. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Increases the compulsory school age from 17 to 18 years of age; makes related changes. Effective July 1, 2012.
Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, on or after July 1, 2012 and on or before December 31, 2018, the taxes imposed under the Acts apply to (i) 90% of the proceeds of sales of gasohol, (ii) 80% of the proceeds of sales of E20 blended ethanol fuel, and (iii) 60% of the proceeds of sales of E30 blended ethanol fuel. Provides that an exemption for majority blended ethanol fuel applies through December 31, 2018 (instead of December 31, 2013). Amends the Illinois Renewable Fuels Development Program Act. Provides that grants may be awarded for the following programs: a next generation renewable fuels program, a majority blended ethanol and blender pump infrastructure program, and a research and development program for sustainable corn production and corn-based renewable fuel production. Sets forth the maximum aggregate amount of grants that may be awarded under each program. Effective immediately.
Creates the Benefit Corporation Act. Provides that a corporation may elect to become a benefit corporation by amending its articles of incorporation. Provides that in addition to its purposes under the Business Corporation Act of 1983 and any specific purpose set forth in its articles of incorporation, a benefit corporation shall have a purpose of creating general public benefit. Requires the preparation of an annual report for specified distribution and filing with the Secretary of State. Defines key terms and contains provisions concerning accountability and transparency.
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the corporate authorities of a non-home rule municipality may use (now, until December 31, 2015) the proceeds of a tax imposed under the Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act, or the Non-Home Rule Municipal Use Tax Act for expenditure on municipal operations, in addition to or in lieu of any expenditure on public infrastructure or for property tax relief. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Provides that as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade in the 2012-2013 school year or a subsequent school year must successfully complete 4 (instead of 3) years of mathematics. Effective immediately.
Congratulates the staff, congregation, and pastor of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church on the 150th anniversary of the church. Congratulates Reverend Jesse Hawkins on his 30th consecutive appointment as pastor to St. John.
Mourns the death of former State Representative Donald Hensel.
Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that, beginning in 2022, Senators shall be divided into two groups. Provides that Senators in the first group shall first be elected for terms of 6 years and then for terms of 4 years. Provides that Senators in the other group shall first be elected for terms of 4 years and then for terms of 6 years. Provides that, beginning in 2022, Representatives shall first be elected for terms of 4 years, then for terms of 2 years, and then for terms of 4 years. Provides that the General Assembly shall be a continuous body for a period beginning and ending at noon on the second Wednesday of January of consecutive odd-numbered years. Specifies that Representatives elected in 2012 shall serve two-year terms and that Representatives elected in 2014 and 2018 shall serve four-year terms. Specifies that Senators elected in 2014 shall serve two-year terms and that Senators elected in 2016 shall serve six-year terms. Effective upon being declared adopted. Applies to the election of General Assembly members in 2014 and thereafter; does not affect the terms of members elected before 2014.