Rep. Timothy L. Schmitz

Creates the Appropriation Sunshine Act. Provides that a bill making an appropriation may not be considered for final passage by either the House of Representatives or the Senate unless a copy of that bill, in its final form, has been made conveniently available on the General Assembly's Internet website for at least 7 days before the bill is considered for final passage by that chamber. Provides that a motion adopted by a record vote of at least three-fifths of the members elected, the House of Representatives or the Senate may provide that this restriction does not apply to that chamber with respect to any one or more bills specified in the motion by bill number. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act and through June 30, 2014, hybrid vehicles and components for hybrid vehicles are exempt from taxation under the Acts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall establish uniform procedures for providing timely advance notice of early release of inmates to law enforcement in local jurisdictions and shall submit a report to the General Assembly, by January 1, 2011, of those notice procedures. Provides that the 14-day advance notice of early release of an inmate because of the award of good conduct credit for meritorious service shall be provided to the Governor and sheriff of the county where the prosecution took place. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that if, in order to qualify for a property-tax exemption, the taxpayer must have an income that is at or below a certain amount, then, for the purposes of that exemption, the term "income" does not include any Social Security benefit unless expressly stated otherwise. Increases the maximum reduction under the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption from $4,000 to $5,500 for taxable year 2010 and indexes the reduction to the Consumer Price Index. Includes disabled persons within the provisions granting an assessment freeze homestead exemption to senior citizens and changes the title of the exemption to the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption. Decreases the age limit to qualify for the exemption from 65 years of age to 55 years of age. Increases the maximum income limitation under the exemption. Requires the county clerk to abate the taxes levied by a school district on each parcel of qualified homestead property that is owned by a taxpayer who is 65 years of age or older and who had an annual household income of $35,000 or less for the previous taxable year. Amends the School Code. Subject to appropriation, requires the State Board of Education to reimburse each school district for any revenue lost due to the property tax abatement. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the "I Want to Pay More" Fund. Provides that, on the first day of each month, the State Treasurer and the State Comptroller shall transfer all moneys remaining in the "I Want to Pay More" Fund to the General Revenue Fund. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall oversee the Fund. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax checkoff for voluntary contributions to the "I Want to Pay More" Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that a court-appointed attorney serving as the attorney for the minor child, guardian ad litem, or child representative shall review the case and submit a litigation budget for court approval. (Eliminates provisions that state that (i) the court shall order the payment to an appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, or child's representative of an amount for costs, fees, and disbursements, according to invoices filed every 90 days during the representation; and (ii) the court shall review the invoices submitted and approve the fees, if they are reasonable and necessary.) Provides that the court shall not authorize payment of bills to an appointed attorney that are not properly itemized. Provides that case budgets, bills for services and expenses, and any case budget modifications shall be reviewed and approved by the trial judge and the chief judge of the circuit court or the chief judge's designee. Provides that the compensation for an appointed attorney shall not exceed $150 per hour, as adjusted annually by the State Treasurer based upon the consumer price index. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Revenue to conduct a study to determine the effects and feasibility of assessing property in the State at 100% rather than at 33 1/3% of its fair cash value. Requires the Department to submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2010 concerning the study. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. Provides that an Enterprise Zone may be extended for an additional 20 years upon application by the corporate authorities of the county or municipality that designated the Enterprise Zone. Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and the Public Utilities Act to make conforming changes in provisions concerning tax exemptions for businesses located in Enterprise Zones.

Amends the Illinois Landscape Architecture Act of 1989. Allows the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to adopt rules of continuing education for persons seeking renewal or restoration of registration under the Act. Provides that the Department must consider the recommendations of the Illinois Landscape Architect Registration Board in establishing the guidelines for the continuing education requirements. Sets forth minimum hours of continuing education required and content requirements for continuing education courses.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2010 assessment year and unless otherwise stated, the maximum amount of each homestead exemption is increased over the maximum amount of that exemption for the prior year by an amount equal to the annual rate of increase, for the previous calendar year, of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items, published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Effective immediately.