Rep. Ronald A. Wait

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. For taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2009 and on or before December 31, 2010, provides that taxpayers are entitled to a credit in an amount equal to 1% of the purchase price of the taxpayer's principal place of residence, subject to certain conditions. Provides that the credit may not exceed $2,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to develop a program to make grants to local development organizations. Provides that under this program, a county or municipality may apply to the Department for a grant to be awarded to a local development organization in that county or municipality for the purpose of fostering local or regional economic development. Provides that these grants are subject to appropriation and sets forth the purposes for which the grants may be used. Provides that an organization is not eligible to receive grant moneys under the program if it has publicly endorsed any political candidate or if it distributes political questionnaires. Provides that documents produced under the grant program are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Effective on January 1, 2010.

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that in a proceeding to establish, modify, or enforce child custody, visitation, or support if the person who is awarded custody, granted visitation, or ordered to pay child support is on active military duty stationed out of State, the court must treat any order establishing, modifying, or enforcing child custody, visitation, or support as a temporary order. Provides that this temporary order does not prejudice the rights of the parties or the child subsequently in the proceeding and terminates when the court enters a subsequent order or judgment, following a hearing held after the person is discharged or is no longer stationed out of State. Provides that a temporary child custody, visitation, or support order entered under these provisions may be incorporated into a final judgment, but only if the court finds that the provision applies and the judgment provides that any child custody, visitation, or support order may be modified without meeting the other applicable requirements in the Act. Provides that "active-duty military member" means a person currently serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the Illinois National Guard, or any reserve component of the Armed Forces.

Creates the School District Income Tax Act. Allows school districts to tax income after referendum approval of district residents and record owners of property in the district. Provides for additional levies, administration and distribution of the tax, and penalties for violations. Applies only to income earned following 120 days after certification of the results of the referendum. Creates a credit against the tax in an amount not to exceed $500 equal to 5% of the amounts spent by the taxpayer on monthly rent for the taxpayer's residence. Amends the Property Tax Code to provide for abatement of residential, farm, and small business property. Amends the School Code to require that school districts certify income tax levies and amounts realized for property tax abatement purposes and to coordinate the calculation of school aid with the income tax levies by adjusting the operating tax rate accordingly. Amends the State Finance Act to create the School District Income Tax Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the driver of a police vehicle must use oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights when: (1) parking or standing, irrespective of the provisions of the Code; (2) proceeding past a red or stop signal or stop sign; (3) exceeding the maximum speed limits; or (4) disregarding regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions. Provides that the driver of a police vehicle must: (1) activate oscillating lights, rotating or flashing lights, sirens, or any combination of such lights or sirens during a high speed vehicle response; (2) use lights and sirens to warn pedestrians and other persons of his or her approach during an emergency response situation; and (3) drive with due regard for the safety of other persons and exercise due care when operating a police vehicle. Permits the driver of a police vehicle to use a covert approach when the situation dictates, but requires the driver to reduce speed to conform with the current driving conditions in order to lessen the danger posed to the general public. In connection with provisions concerning the duty of the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, provides that if an act of reckless disregard causes great bodily harm or death to any person or persons, that act shall be prima facie evidence that the duty of due regard for the safety of all persons was not met. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Requires that each chief procurement officer establish a goal of at least 10% of the total dollar amount of State contracts of agencies under the officer's jurisdiction to be awarded to veteran-owned businesses.

Appropriates $8,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for the operation of the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program. Effective July 1, 2009.

Creates the Agricultural Assembly Act. Requires the Department of Agriculture to bi-annually convene an Agricultural Assembly to assist in identifying and prioritizing issues affecting the State's agricultural industry and in forming a set of recommendations to address those issues. Establishes goals and objectives for the Agricultural Assembly. Creates a steering committee to facilitate the Department of Agriculture's development of the Agricultural Assembly. Requires the Agricultural Assembly program developed by the Department of Agriculture to meet certain requirements. Grants the Department of Agriculture authority to adopt rules to implement the Agricultural Assembly Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act and the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that every parole hearing process shall be commenced by the person seeking parole filing a petition with the Prisoner Review Board. Provides that one member of the Board shall interview the person seeking parole at the penal institution where the person is confined and may receive additional testimony from the person seeking parole's attorney, family, and other persons in support of the Board granting parole. Provides thereafter that the Board shall conduct the State's Attorney's portion of the parole hearing within the county where the person seeking parole was prosecuted unless requested otherwise by the State's Attorney. At the hearing, a State's Attorney's Office representative and all victims or concerned citizens may address the Board. Provides that after the State's Attorney's portion of the parole hearing, the Board shall give all parties 15 days notice of an en banc hearing before the Board. Such hearing may be continued by the Board only if the parties are given 10 days notice of the continuance. Provides that one Board member shall make a comprehensive presentation of the person seeking parole's case to the Board. Provides that the person seeking parole's attorney and one representative of the person seeking parole may address the Board. Provides that a representative of the Office of the State's Attorney and one representative of the victims and concerned citizens may address the Board and request conditions of parole should the Board vote to parole the person seeking parole. Provides that the Board shall then deliberate and vote on parole. Effective immediately.

Amends the Family Military Leave Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.