Rep. Kenneth Dunkin

Congratulates Ronald S. Wos on his retirement from the State of Illinois House Democratic Staff.

Mourns the death of Luther Ingram of Belleville.

Honors the Chinese New Year Spectacular being held on March 3, 2007 in Chicago.

Congratulates the Chicago Public Library on the 75th anniversary of the opening of the George Cleveland Hall Branch of the library.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that relief from an order for a tax deed may be had under certain provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure concerning motions after judgment in nonjury cases. Provides that notice of the expiration of the period of redemption must be served upon certain owners and parties interested in the property in the manner set forth under certain provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure (now, personal service). Requires the court to enter orders to place the tax-deed grantee's successor in interest in possession of the property and authorizes the court to grant other relief to maintain the successor in interest in possession. Provides that the notice of the expiration of the period of redemption may not be served more than 6 months (now, 5 months) before the expiration of the period of redemption. Provides that the changes concerning post-judgment motions and the changes concerning the possession by the tax-deed grantee's successor in interest must be construed as being declarative of existing law and not as a new enactment.

Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the Riverboat Gambling Act. Separates the Illinois Gaming Board from the Department of Revenue for the purposes of enforcing and administering the Riverboat Gambling Act. Makes conforming changes. Prohibits members of the Board from holding any other public office (rather than any other public office for which he or she shall receive compensation). Prohibits members of the Board from engaging in any political activity. Provides for an annual salary for Board members. Makes changes regarding disclosure of equity interests of the Board members and their spouses and children. Makes changes in provisions concerning the determining factors in the Board's decision in granting owners licenses. In provisions concerning the powers and duties of the Board, removes language allowing the Director of Revenue to delegate responsibility for the administration and enforcement of certain Acts concerning gaming to the Board and adds language concerning appointing investigators. Makes changes concerning appropriations from the State Gaming Fund. Makes other changes. Amends the Executive Reorganization Implementation Act. Excludes the Illinois Gaming Board from the definition of "agency directly responsible to the Governor". Amends the Illinois Pension Code. In the State Employees Article, adds investigators for the Illinois Gaming Board to provisions concerning the alternative formula. In the Judges Article, allows a participant who, on January 1, 2006, is serving on the Illinois Gaming Board to continue to receive benefits despite that service. Effective immediately.

Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. In a provision concerning eligibility for grants under the Act, increases the household income eligibility limitations for grant year 2006, and provides that, for grant years 2007 and thereafter, the limitations shall be increased annually by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the previous calendar year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for the issuance of Iraqi Freedom license plates at an additional initial charge of $40 and an additional renewal charge of $27 with eligibility requirements to be determined by the Secretary of State. Provides that $15 of the initial charge and $2 of the renewal charge shall be paid into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund and $25 of the initial charge and $25 of the renewal charge shall be paid into the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund. Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Provides that the moneys deposited into the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund from the sale of Iraqi Freedom license plates may, subject to appropriation, be used by the Department of Veterans' Affairs to provide grants to assist in the financial and educational support of minor and dependent children of veterans who died or were disabled in the line of duty.

Amends the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2008 (now, January 1, 2007). Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. 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, deletes provisions ending the alternative exemption after certain tax years. Provides that the $20,000 limit on the alternative exemption applies only for certain tax years. Sets forth requirements for ordinances by counties concerning the homestead exemption. Effective immediately.