Creates the Homeowners' Solar Energy Act. Provides that no bylaw or action of a homeowners' association, property owners' association, or a condominium unit owners' association shall prohibit or be interpreted to prohibit a solar energy system or other energy device based on a renewable resource. Provides that no deed restrictions, covenants, or similar binding agreements running with the land shall prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting a solar energy system or other renewable resource energy device from being installed on residential dwelling property that does not exceed 3 stories. Provides that an owners' association may determine the location of a solar energy system. Provides that solar energy systems shall be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) or another nationally recognized certification entity. Provides that an application for the installation of a solar energy system shall be processed and approved as an application for architectural modification and shall not be willfully avoided or delayed. Provides that any entity, other than a public entity, that willfully violates this Act shall be liable to the applicant or other party adversely affected for actual damages. Provides that in any litigation under this Act, the prevailing party is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees. Provides that the legislative purpose of this Act is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by encouraging the use of renewable resource energy systems to conserve and protect land and resources and prevent measures which will drive the cost of owning residential property beyond the capacity of private owners.
Sponsored bills
Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders to the extent that the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders are not already covered by the policy or plan. Provides that this coverage shall be subject to a maximum benefit of $36,000 per year, but shall not be subject to any limits on the number of visits to an autism service provider. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Creates the Plastic Bag Recycling Act. Requires certain retailers that distribute plastic bags to consumers to implement a plastic bag collection and recycling program. Sets out plastic bag recycling program requirements. Provides that any retailer who knowingly violates the Act is guilty of a business offense punishable by a fine of not more than $500 for the second offense and every offense thereafter.
Creates the Plastic Bag Recycling Act. Requires retailers that distribute plastic bags to consumers to implement a plastic bag collection and recycling program. Sets out plastic bag recycling program requirements. Provides that any retailer who knowingly violates the Act is guilty of a business offense punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.
Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Provides that when a sex offender registers with the appropriate law enforcement agency, he or she shall provide the law enforcement agency with all e-mail addresses, instant messaging identities, chat room identities, and other Internet communications identities that the sex offender uses or plans to use. Amends the Sex Offender Community Notification Law. Provides for disclosure of such information to the public.
Creates the Farm Fresh Schools Program Act. Sets forth the findings of the General Assembly. Provides that the Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Illinois State Board of Education and the Department of Public Health shall create the Farm Fresh Schools Program. Provides that the intent of the Program is to reduce obesity and improve nutrition and public health, as well as strengthen local agricultural economies by increasing access to and promoting the consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables in schools and increasing physical activities and programs that promote pupil wellness. Provides that the Department of Agriculture and the Illinois State Board of Education shall jointly administer a process to review grant proposals and award grants on a competitive basis to eligible applicants to implement the Program. Creates the Farm Fresh Schools Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury.
Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that the manufacturing and assembling machinery and equipment exemption also includes production related tangible personal property. Defines "production related tangible personal property" as all tangible personal property used or consumed by the purchaser in a manufacturing facility in which a manufacturing process takes place, including tangible personal property purchased for incorporation into real estate within a manufacturing facility and including, but not limited to, tangible personal property used or consumed in activities such as research and development, preproduction material handling, receiving, quality control, inventory control, storage, staging, and packaging for shipping and transportation purposes. Provides that "production related tangible personal property" does not include (i) tangible personal property used, within or without a manufacturing facility, in sales, purchasing, accounting, fiscal management, marketing, personnel recruitment or selection, or landscaping or (ii) tangible personal property required to be titled or registered with a department, agency, or unit of federal, state, or local government. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code and the Counties Code. Provides that it is a State's Attorney's duty to notify the State Superintendent of Education upon the conviction of any individual known to possess a certificate issued under the School Code of any of certain offenses or any other felony conviction. In the criminal history records check provisions of the School Code, makes changes concerning the offenses for which a school board may not knowingly employ a person. Provides that no one may be certified to teach or supervise in the public schools who has been convicted of certain offenses (instead of providing that in determining good character, any felony conviction of an applicant may be taken into consideration, but such a conviction shall not operate as a bar to registration). In provisions concerning suspension or revocation of a certificate, provides that the State Superintendent of Education has the exclusive authority to initiate the suspension of up to 5 calendar years or revocation of any certificate (instead of providing that a certificate may be suspended for a period not to exceed one calendar year by the regional superintendent of schools or for a period not to exceed 5 calendar years by the State Superintendent). With respect to certificate suspension and revocation, makes changes concerning an investigation, notice, a hearing, an appeal, and the offenses that are grounds for suspension and revocation. Makes other changes.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the amount of the earned income tax credit from 5% of the federal credit to: (i) 7.5% of the federal tax credit for taxable years ending in calendar year 2007; and (ii) 10% of the federal tax credit for taxable years ending in calendar year 2008 or thereafter. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning grants for preschool education programs.