Rep. Michael W. Tryon

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that each individual taxpayer is entitled to a credit in an amount equal to any adoption fees paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year in connection with the adoption of a cat or dog from a county animal control facility, a humane society, or an animal rescue organization, but not to exceed $100 per taxpayer in any taxable year. Provides that the credit may not be claimed for more than 3 animals in a taxable year. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Requires the governing board of each public university to develop and maintain a written policy concerning the credits that the university will award for courses on a joint services transcript. Defines "joint services transcript". Effective January 1, 2017.

Amends the State Finance Act and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a Healthy Local Food Incentives Program to double the purchasing power of Illinois residents with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Creates the Healthy Local Food Incentives Fund as a special fund in the State treasury for the purpose of implementing the Program. Provides that subject to appropriations, the Department shall make an annual grant of $1,000,000 from the Fund to a qualified Illinois non-profit organization or agency, which shall be distributed to participating Illinois farmers markets for the purpose of providing matching dollar incentives (up to a specified amount) for the dollar value of SNAP or WIC benefits spent on SNAP or WIC eligible food products at participating Illinois farmers markets and producer-to-consumer venues. Provides that the qualified non-profit organization shall have a demonstrated track record of (i) building a statewide network; (ii) designing and implementing successful healthy food incentive programs that connect SNAP recipients with local producers; (iii) implementing funds distribution and reporting processes; and other requirements. Provides that at least 60% of the monies deposited into the Fund shall be distributed to participating Illinois farmers markets for healthy local food incentives and program implementation; and that a maximum of 40% of the monies deposited into the Fund shall be used for statewide program development and other purposes. Requires the non-profit organization or agency to submit a progress report to the Department with certain information, including the impact of the Program on increasing the quantity of fresh fruits and vegetables consumed by SNAP and WIC families, as determined by customer surveys.

Amends the State Comptroller Act. Requires the State Comptroller to establish on its official website an easily accessible portal that lists tax credit issuance data for projects undertaken by businesses, individuals, and non-profit organizations. Requires the Office of the Comptroller to update the portal each State business day.

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Requires the Department of the Lottery, beginning on January 1, 2016 or as soon thereafter as is practical, to offer a special instant scratch-off game with the title of "The End of Alzheimer's Begins With Me". Requires the net revenue from that game to be deposited into the Alzheimer's Awareness Fund. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the game. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "33 1/3%".

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning pollution control facilities.

Creates the Statewide Elected Official Vacancy Appointment Act. Provides that in the event of a vacancy in a statewide elective office that is filled by the Governor under Section 7 of Article V of the Illinois Constitution, if the person whose departure from office created the vacancy was a member of a leading political party, then the person appointed to fill the vacancy must be a member of the same leading political party. Defines "leading political party".

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires each public university to submit to the Board of Higher Education a study of the costs of making available online 4 of the university's most popular degree programs, as determined by the university. Sets forth what must be included in the cost study. Requires the Board of Higher Education to use new and existing data to evaluate probable student outcomes for online degree plans identified by the universities; sets forth other Board requirements.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that each tax purchaser shall pay to the county collector an automation fee set by the county board of not more than $10 for each item purchased (currently, each county collector may assess such a fee). Provides that the indemnity fee in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants shall be not more than $20 (currently, the fee is $20). Makes changes concerning the fee imposed by the county board on each person purchasing property at a sale under the Code for payment of interest and costs.