Amends the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning applications for certification.
Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Removes the requirements that (i) a lobbyist's registration include his or her photo and (ii) a lobbyist's expenditure report be submitted under oath. Effective July 1, 2004.
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Authorizes a municipality carrying out a business district development or redevelopment plan to impose a tax on the retail sale of tangible personal property and the sale or charge for a sleeping room, not to exceed 1% of the selling price of the tangible personal property or the charge for the sleeping room and only to be imposed in 0.25% increments. Requires a municipality imposing these taxes to follow certain additional procedures in applying for designation as a business district and approval of a business district development or redevelopment plan. Requires that the revenue generated by the tax be deposited into the municipality's Business District Tax Allocation Fund. Authorizes a municipality to issue obligations in one or more series bearing interest at rates determined by the corporate authorities of the municipality by ordinance and secured by the Business District Tax Allocation Fund. Requires the ordinance (i) to pledge any amounts in and to be deposited into the Business District Tax Allocation Fund for the payment of business district costs and obligations and (ii) to contain certain recitals. Authorizes the public or private sale of the obligations and the issuance of obligations to refund previously issued obligations. Upon payment of all business district costs, requires all surplus funds to be deposited into the general corporate fund. Requires the corporate authorities of the municipality to adopt an ordinance immediately rescinding the tax when all business district costs and obligations have been paid. Effective immediately.
Amends the Election Code. Permits voters to cast straight-party ticket votes. Effective January 1, 2004.
Amends the Collection Agency Act. Provides that a collection agency may not impose a fee or charge for any child support payments collected through the efforts of a State or local governmental agency. Provides that a collection agency may not impose a fee or charge for the collection of child support payments that exceeds 25% of the amount of child support actually collected by the collection agency.
Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that, if video or sound recordings are made of a meeting subject to the Open Meetings Act, a copy of the recordings must be made available for review by the public.
Creates the Visual Media Economic Development Fund Act. Contains only a short title.
Amends the Use Tax Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the School Code. Creates the Professional Teacher Standards Board consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor to administer the Article of the School Code governing the certification of teachers and other certificated school personnel and the approval of teacher and administrator preparation programs. Gives the Professional Teacher Standards Board all powers and duties currently exercised by the State Board of Education and the State Teacher Certification Board with respect to administration of the certification and program approval process, and abolishes the State Teacher Certification Board. Authorizes the Professional Teacher Standards Board to employ an Executive Director and such other staff members as are necessary to exercise its powers and duties and carry out its functions. Provides that a Standard Certificate may be renewed based on proof of professional development (instead of on proof of continuing education or professional development). Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2003.
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, if an insurance policyholder may be liable to the State or a unit of local government for costs of removal and remedial action relating to hazardous waste or pesticides under the Act or under any other law or ordinance establishing liability for environmental cleanup costs, the State or unit of local government may bring a cause of action against the policyholder's insurer for those costs.
