Rep. Marty McLaughlin

Amends the Will Contests Article of the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that persons who stood to inherit under a previous will, including stepchildren, have standing and are entitled to institute a proceeding for the administration of the testator's estate or to contest the denial of admission of a will. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as Karen's Law.

Creates the Revenue Estimate Act. Provides that the General Assembly shall not enact any bill to appropriate funds within any fiscal year prior to its adoption of a joint resolution reflecting the estimate of funds available for that fiscal year as required under the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that, on and after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the General Assembly shall, by joint resolution, establish a revenue estimate for the following State fiscal year by April 30 of each year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that a local government may submit a request to the Grant Accountability and Transparency Unit to be exempt from certain audit requirements if the local government is unable to meet the audit requirements due to circumstances beyond the local government's control, including, but not limited to, a natural disaster in which financial records of the local government are destroyed or alleged employee misconduct involving the destruction or withholding of financial records. Effective immediately.

Reaffirms commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister-state ties between the State of Illinois and Taiwan, R.O.C. Reaffirms support for the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and supports Illinois businesses to refer to Taiwan, R.O.C. as Taiwan. Endorses Taiwan's efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA), and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) with the United States and reiterates support for a closer economic and trade partnership between the State of Illinois and Taiwan. Expresses continued support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations that impact the health, safety, and well-being of the people of Taiwan and supports Taiwan's aspiration to make more contributions in international societies.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Reduces the rate of tax on individuals, trusts, estates, and certain pass-through entities from 4.95% to 3.75%. Reduces the rate of tax on corporations from 7% to 6%. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the Governor shall annually designate, by official proclamation, the third Friday in March as Robotics Day to encourage students and school districts to engage in robotics-based activities and to engage students with the study of mathematics and science.

Amends the Property Owned By Noncitizens Act. Provides that, beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Governor shall take such actions as may be necessary to prohibit the purchase of public or private real estate located in Illinois by any noncitizens. Provides that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shall submit to the General Assembly a report that details the history of purchases of public and private real estate located in the State by noncitizens; provides more information on the percentage of real estate located in the State that is owned by noncitizens; and offers recommendations to make it easier for citizens and harder for noncitizens to purchase real estate located in the State, including farmland. Repeals the provisions 5 years after the effective date of the Act. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. In provisions concerning the angel investment credit, provides that the amount of the credit is 35% (rather than 25%) of the claimant's investment made directly in the qualified new business venture if the investment is made in: (1) a qualified new business venture that is a minority-owned business, a women-owned business, or a business owned a person with a disability; or (2) a qualified new business venture in which the principal place of business is located in a county with a population of not more than 250,000. Increases the aggregate amount of angel investment credits that may be claimed in a taxable year.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for taxable years 2024 and thereafter, the maximum reduction is $10,000 in all counties. Effective immediately.