Rep. Carolyn H. Krause

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Allows a tax credit for employer taxpayers who, during the taxable year, increase the number of employees and provide health benefits to all their employees. Provides that the amount of the credit is $500 for each new employee added. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Provides that it is a business offense, subject to a fine of not less than $5,000, for a taxpayer to intentionally manipulate the number of employees for the purpose of obtaining the credit. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that each individual taxpayer who, during the taxable year, purchases and installs a certified energy-efficient appliance is entitled to an income credit in an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) $0.48 per average first-year kilowatt hours saved, or the equivalent for other fuel saved, as estimated by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; or (ii) $1,200, but, in no case, however, may the credit exceed 25% of the cost of the appliance. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Provides that "energy-efficient appliance" means any clothes washer, clothes dryer, water heater, refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, appliance designed to heat or cool a dwelling, or other major household appliance that, according to the standards set forth under the federal Energy Guide, has premium energy-efficient characteristics. Effective immediately.

Urges the President and Congress should commit the leadership of the U. S. Government to effective implementation of the United Nations World Summit Outcome Document on the responsibility of states to protect their populations.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Allows an income tax credit in an amount equal to 15% of the premium costs paid for a qualified long term care insurance contract covering the individual taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse, parent, or dependent. Provides that the credit may not exceed $200 or the taxpayer's liability, whichever is less. Prohibits the carry forward of an excess tax credit to a succeeding year's tax liability. Exempts the credit from the sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to implement the Medical Assistance provisions of the federal Family Opportunity Act (enacted as part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005) as soon as possible after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Requires the Department to take all necessary and appropriate steps to try to secure (i) a grant for a demonstration project regarding home and community-based alternatives to psychiatric residential treatment facilities for children, as authorized by the federal Act, and (ii) the location in Illinois of a family-to-family health information center, as authorized by the federal Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Requires that the economic impact analysis for a proposed rule affecting small businesses be prepared by the agency promulgating the rule (now, the Business Assistance Office of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity). Requires each agency to perform periodic reviews of its rules in order to evaluate their affect upon small businesses. Authorizes judicial review of agency rules for small businesses.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides income tax deductions for contributions to and interest on a health savings account established under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title and applicability of the Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Law of 1997.

Requires the Illinois Finance Authority to establish and maintain a program to offer low-interest loans to businesses seeking greater broadband Internet access. Provides that these loans may be used to purchase any broadband infrastructure that is required to provide high-speed Internet access. Provides that the moneys for loans shall be maintained in and paid out of the Broadband Internet Access Revolving Loan Fund, a special fund established in the State treasury. Provides that no business may receive an aggregate amount of more than $250,000 in loans and that all loans must be repaid within 5 years. Requires the Authority to adopt necessary rules. Authorizes the Authority to require a lien or other security as a condition for making a loan under the program. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Broadband Internet Access Revolving Loan Fund. Effective immediately.