Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Counties Code, the Township Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the Park District Code, the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act, the Cook County Forest Preserve District Act, and the School Code. Authorizes the Department of Transportation and any unit of local government, park district, or school district that contains vacant lands owned by the Department to enter into a lease agreement for the use of those vacant lands. Provides that the lease agreement may be for less than fair market value and must prohibit the unit of local government, park district, or school district from erecting any permanent structure upon the property. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act and the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that an animal control officer or a humane society investigator with reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a child is being abused or neglected or is in danger of being abused or neglected must immediately make a written or oral report to the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that any person required to report suspected child abuse or neglect under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act must also immediately report suspected animal abuse or neglect or danger of animal abuse or neglect to the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Welfare. Preempts the exercise of home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code concerning the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption. Sets forth provisions for calculating the base amount for a new residence if the taxpayer changes residences. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the amount of the credit for wages paid to qualified veterans from an amount equal to "5%, but in no event to exceed $600, of the gross wages paid to a qualified veteran" to either $1,000, $1,500, or $3,000 depending on the number of qualified veterans employed. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Fire Marshal Act. Requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal to create a grant program to distribute funds to local fire departments and first responder organizations for the research and development of improved methods of responding to emergency incidents of domestic violence. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Domestic Violence First Responders Fund as a special fund in the State treasury and provides that it shall be used for the grants. Effective immediately.
Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that, prior to commencing a mortgage foreclosure action, the plaintiff must contact the mortgagor advising the mortgagor of foreclosure in the near future and notifying the mortgagor that an in-person meeting to review refinancing the mortgage loan is available. Provides the notice must also contain a list of HUD-certified credit counselors. Provides that the plaintiff must wait at least 30 days after the date of the in-person meeting, or 30 days after the notice was served if no meeting was requested by the mortgagor, before the action to foreclose may be commenced. Provides that the plaintiff in any foreclosure action must attach to the complaint a sworn affidavit stating that these requirements have been complied with.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Requires the Department of Revenue to reinstate the explanations and spaces for the designation of contributions to the Prostate Cancer Research Fund on the individual income tax return forms. Provides that, upon reinstatement, the fund is subject to certain requirements concerning contribution amounts in order to remain on the forms in subsequent years. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that in counties having fewer than 3,000,000 inhabitants, the county board may, by resolution, provide that, if a person has been granted a Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, then that person need not reapply for the exemption. Effective immediately.
Amends the Build Illinois Bond Act. Provides that certain bonds that may currently be used for loans or grants to units of local government for wastewater facilities may also be used for grants to serve unincorporated areas. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency is authorized to distribute grants to units of local government for financing and construction of wastewater facilities (instead of "municipal wastewater facilities") in both incorporated and unincorporated areas. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, at hearings before the board of review or the Property Tax Appeal Board, the county assessor bears the burden of proof to establish the justness, accuracy, and reasonableness of the assessment. Effective immediately.