Rep. Tom Weber

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a taxpayer is entitled to an income tax credit for each person who is (i) 55 years of age or older during the taxable year and (ii) employed by the taxpayer at a location in this State for not less than 185 days during the taxable year. Provides that the credit may be carried forward. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, all referenda containing public questions pertaining to the issuance of bonds must be submitted to the voters of a school district at the next general election in accordance with the general election law. Effective immediately.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that if there have been 3 or more reports of suspected child abuse or neglect of a child and the Department of Children and Family Services did not conclude in its reports that it found evidence of abuse or neglect during the first 2 visits to the child's home, a local law enforcement officer or State's Attorney, or his or her designee in the appropriate county, shall accompany the Department's investigator to the child's home and make a report with his or her own findings and conclusions on (i) whether or not abuse or neglect exists and (ii) whether or not action should be taken to provide services to the parent or parents or to remove the child or children from the home.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that the exemption from disclosure for proprietary, privileged, or confidential financial data does not apply to fees charged by debt underwriters or fees charged by debt financiers.

Amends the State Mandates Act. Provides that the application of every State mandate implemented on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act that necessitates additional expenditures from local government revenues without reimbursement from the State shall be limited to a sunset date of 5 years. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a credit for individual taxpayers whose income does not exceed the maximum income limitation and who are (i) 65 years of age or older during the taxable year or (ii) 100% disabled during the taxable year. Provides that the amount of the credit shall be based upon the amount by which the total residential property taxes paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year exceeds a stated percent of income. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that a taxing district shall reduce its aggregate extension base for the purpose of lowering its limiting rate for future years upon referendum approval initiated by the submission of a petition by the voters of the district. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if a person who qualifies for a senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption relocates from one residence in this State to another residence in this State, and the person continues to qualify for the exemption, then the exemption amount for the new residence may not be less than the exemption amount for the previous residence for the last full assessment year in which the qualifying individual occupied the previous residence. Effective immediately.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Provides for registration under the Act of a person convicted of a battery when the court: (1) finds that the battery was sexually motivated as defined in the Sex Offender Management Board Act; and (2) in its discretion requires the person to register under the Act. Provides that the trial court, in its discretion, may require a person convicted of battery to register under the Act if: (1) the complaining witness is 17 years of age or younger; (2) the offender is 21 years of age or older; and (3) the court finds that the battery was sexually motivated as defined in the Sex Offender Management Board Act.

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that upon a vacancy in the General Assembly a special election shall occur no earlier than 45 days but no more than 90 days after the vacancy. Provides that if the vacancy occurs within 120 days before a general election or general primary election, the vacancy shall be filled by that election. Requires the candidates to fill the vacancy to be members of the same political party as the person who vacated the seat. Effective upon being declared adopted.