Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that the sales tax holiday on school supplies created by Public Act 96-1012 applies during the third weekend in August of 2013 and each year thereafter. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the application of the Article and definitions.
Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that any person who owns a firearm in this State shall maintain a policy of liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 specifically covering any damages resulting from negligent or willful acts involving the use of the firearm while it is owned by that person. Provides that a person shall be deemed the owner of a firearm after the firearm is lost or stolen until the loss or theft is reported to the police department or sheriff of the jurisdiction in which the owner resides. Provides that the Department of State Police shall revoke and seize a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued under this Act if the Department finds that the person to whom the card was issued possesses or acquires a firearm and does not submit evidence to the Department of State Police that he or she has been issued in his or her name a liability insurance policy in the amount of at least $1,000,000 specifically covering any damages resulting from negligent or willful acts involving the use of the firearm while it is owned by that person. Effective immediately.
Amends the Local Government Professional Services Selection Act. Provides that when political subdivision is selecting a professional services firm for a project, that political subdivision must follow certain procedures concerning public notices, evaluations, and selections, regardless of whether that subdivision has a preexisting satisfactory relationship with that firm. Effective immediately.
Creates the Accountability in College Textbook Publishing Practices Act. Provides that if a publisher provides a faculty member or entity in charge of selecting course materials at an institution of higher education with information regarding a college textbook or supplemental material, the publisher shall include specified information in its communication. Sets forth requirements for when a publisher provides a faculty member or entity in charge of selecting course materials at an institution with the price at which the publisher would make a college textbook or supplemental material available to the institution's campus bookstore. Provides that a publisher that sells a college textbook and any supplemental material as a bundle shall also make the college textbook and each item of supplemental material available as separate and unbundled items at separate prices. Provides that if a faculty member or entity in charge of selecting course materials at an institution directs a publisher to compile a custom textbook, the publisher shall provide the price at which the publisher would make the custom textbook available to the campus bookstore. Contains an enforcement provision. Requires institutions to disclose certain college textbook information in course schedules. Effective immediately.
Amends the Financial Institutions Code. Makes a technical change concerning the short title.
Amends the Financial Institutions Code. Makes a technical change concerning the short title.
Amends the Neighborhood Redevelopment Corporation Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Creates the Open College Textbook Act. From appropriated amounts, authorizes the Board of Higher Education to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to carry out described activities, including creating, updating, or adapting open textbooks (defined as a textbook or set of course materials in electronic format that is designed for use in a college course at an institution of higher education and that is licensed under an open license). Defines an "eligible entity" as (i) an institution of higher education in this State, (ii) a professor or group of professors at an institution of higher education in this State, or (iii) a nonprofit or for-profit organization that produces open textbooks. Requires the Board to award grants in a manner that will result in the creation of a comprehensive slate of high quality course materials for introductory courses in a variety of subject areas. Sets forth provisions concerning the duration of a grant, grant applications, requirements for grant recipients, a peer review and evaluation process, appropriations, licensing materials, and a report to the General Assembly. Effective immediately.
Mourns the death of James O. Boggan.
