Rep. Joe Sosnowski

Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that a retailer is relieved from liability for any tax that becomes due and payable if the tax is represented by amounts that are found to be worthless or uncollectible and have been charged off in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on and after July 1, 2014. Provide for a deduction if the retailer had previously paid such a tax. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a contractor or subcontractor under a contract or subcontract for the development and supply of rifles, shotguns, weapons, or ammunition to the United States government or any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, when the activities are necessary and incident to fulfilling the terms of the contract, may transport these weapons even if they are not broken down in a non-functioning state, or are immediately accessible. Permits the transportation of a rifle with a barrel or barrels less than 16 inches in length that is not broken down in a non-functioning state, or are immediately accessible by a person: (1) who has been issued a Curios and Relics license from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; or (2) who is an active member of a bona fide, nationally recognized military re-enacting group and the modification is required and necessary to accurately portray the weapon for historical re-enactment purposes; the re-enactor is in possession of a valid and current re-enacting group membership credential; and the overall length of the weapon as modified is not less than 26 inches. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that a federally licensed firearms dealer is exempt from the applicant firearm training requirements under the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Notice By Publication Act. Provides that whenever a governmental unit is required to provide notice by publication in a newspaper by law, order of court, or contract, the governmental unit may publish the notice on an official government website instead of in a newspaper. Provides conditions concerning the availability and format of the notice web page. Repeals a Section concerning the placement of published notices on a statewide website and makes corresponding changes throughout the Act and in the Newspaper Legal Notice Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Authorizes the custodian of property record cards to levy a reasonable fee against any person who requests an electronic or microfiche copy of those cards for commercial purposes. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title of the Code.

Amends the Illinois Aeronautics Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the research and development credit applies on a permanent basis. Effective immediately.

Amends the Smoke Detector Act. In a Section concerning the requirements of smoke detectors installed in a dwelling unit, provides that if a smoke detector is battery powered, then the battery must be non-replaceable, non-removable, and capable of powering the detector for a minimum of 10 years. Creates an exemption for dwelling units and hotels within municipalities with a population over 1,000,000 inhabitants. Effective on January 1, 2014.

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Toll Highway Authority may not assess separate fines for multiple violations committed on a single day, but may assess the following fine inclusive of any administrative costs and fees: (1) $20 for 1 to 3 violations; (2) $75 for 4 to 6 violations; (3) $125 for 7 to 10 violations; plus (4) $20 for each violation over 10 occurring that day.