Rep. David McSweeney

Creates the Citizens Empowerment Act. Provides that electors may petition for a referendum at the next general election to dissolve a unit of local government. Sets forth the requirements for the petition, together with the form and requirements for the ballot referendum. Provides for the transfer of all real and personal property, and any other assets, together with all personnel, contractual obligations, and liabilities of the dissolving unit of local government to the receiving unit of local government. Amends the Election Code to provide exceptions for the Local Government Dissolution Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for corporations in an amount equal to 100% of the portion of the taxpayer's Illinois net income for the taxable year that is earned by the taxpayer as a result of a manufacturing process. Provides that the deduction is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Removes references to General Assembly members from provisions concerning funding for salaries of General Assembly members, judges, and legislative operations. Effective immediately.

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that all obligations issued by a non-home rule municipality in connection with the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act (instead of TIF obligations secured by the full faith and credit of the municipality) are subject to a backdoor referendum. Provides that a petition calling for a referendum on the issuance of those bonds shall be filed within 45 (instead of 30) days after the publication of the ordinance. Makes changes concerning the signature requirement for those petitions. Effective immediately.

Opposes the consideration or passage of any income tax increase on the people of Illinois during any "lame duck" special session that may be called to meet on or after January 1, 2017 at any time prior to January 11, 2017.

Creates the Continuum of Care Services for the Developmentally Disabled Act. Creates a license for continuum of care facilities that serve individuals with developmental disabilities. Defines terms. Requires the Director of Human Services, in consultation and coordination with the Director of Public Health and Director of Healthcare and Family Services as necessary, to develop a licensure system for continuum of care facilities in accordance with specified purposes. Requires the Director of Human Services to adopt rules to establish the licensure system. Requires applicants for continuum of care licenses to submit continuum of care plans that meet specified criteria to the Director of Human Services. Requires the Director of Human Services, acting as appropriate through or in coordination with the Director of Public Health, to ensure licensees meet specified requirements. Contains provisions concerning the effects of situations that may impact or change a facility's license. Requires the Director of Human Services and Director of Healthcare and Family Services to ensure reimbursements from State and federal sources going to eligible continuum of care facilities meet specified requirements. Amends the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Director of Healthcare and Family Services, in collaboration and coordination with the Director of Human Services, shall develop and submit a request for a waiver pursuant to the federal Social Security Act for the continuum of care license program.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Creates the Accelerate College pilot program. Authorizes a community college district board of trustees to enter into an Accelerate College educational partnership agreement with any school district wholly contained within the community college district's jurisdiction. Provides that an agreement must offer a group of high school students the right to take community college courses without paying tuition for those courses. Provides for the size of the program. Allows community colleges to charge fees limited to the actual operating costs and related student activities. Provides that any coursework completed by high school students in a community college shall be transferrable to all public universities in this State on the same basis as coursework completed by community college students who have previously earned high school diplomas. Requires the Illinois Community College Board to study the effectiveness of the program and to issue an annual report. Repeals the provisions 36 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Amends the School Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act. Provides that school districts and non-home rule units of local government shall, by resolution or ordinance, regulate travel, meal, and lodging expenses of officers and employees including: (1) the types of official business for which travel, meal, and lodging expenses are allowable; (2) maximum allowable reimbursement for travel, meal, and lodging expenses; and (3) a standardized form for submission of travel, meal, and lodging expenses. Provides that all travel, meal, and lodging expenses may only be approved after specified documentation has been submitted and the expenses are approved by a roll call vote. Prohibits reimbursing entertainment expenses.

Provides that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, in coordination with the Department of Public Health, shall conduct a study of lead in Illinois drinking water describing the chemical and human health impacts of lead in Illinois piped water supplies. Provides that the Agency shall make weekly reports and publish them online. Provides that the Agency shall make a preliminary formal report by September 1, 2016, and a final report by January 1, 2017. Provides that each report shall be delivered to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the Senate, and that each report shall be published online.

Thanks Gen. Walter McCostlin and members of the United States Army 65th Infantry for their service.