Rep. Robert W. Pritchard

Amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. Provides that an area is qualified to become an enterprise zone if it comprises not more than 18 square miles (now, 12 square miles). Provides that an enterprise zone shall be in effect for 55 years (now, 30 years). Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to certify an additional 10 enterprise zones between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2022. Requires each Zone Administrator to post a copy of the enterprise zone boundaries on its website and to collect and aggregate certain information. Amends the Corporate Accountability for Tax Expenditures Act. Changes the definitions of "full-time, permanent job" and "retained employee". Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Eliminates the job tax credit for a taxpayer conducting business operations in an enterprise zone. Eliminates the deduction for dividends that were paid by a corporation which conducts business operations in an enterprise zone. Eliminates the deduction for interest income from a loan or loans secured by property which is eligible for the Enterprise Zone Investment Credit. Effective immediately.

Amends the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act. Adds to the existing purposes (tort liability, insurance and risk management) for which an extraordinary tort liability tax levy may be imposed the installation and maintenance of sprinkler or other fire suppression systems that meet national standards and are certified by the local fire officials. Declares, as a matter of policy, that the use of tort liability tax revenue for the installation and maintenance of sprinkler or other fire suppression systems is appropriate because of the safety benefits of fire suppression systems, the associated reduction in potential exposure to tort liability claims, and the reduction in insurance costs achievable for facilities equipped with fire suppression systems. Adds to the existing purposes (insurance, specified types of judgments, settlements, and obligations, and risk management programs) for which a local public entity may annually levy: to pay the cost of the installation and maintenance of sprinkler or other fire suppression systems.

Amends the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act. Adds to the Article concerning medical, hospital, and public health activities a definition of "service agency under contract with a public entity" to mean an entity under contract with a local public entity to provide emergency and sick call medical services to inmates of a county jail. Adds "a service agency under contract with a public entity" to provisions granting immunity to a local public entity or a public employee concerning medical care.

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act of the Illinois Municipal Code. In provisions concerning the approval of a redevelopment plan or redevelopment project area, requires that the joint review board's recommendation concerning the project shall be adopted by a three-fifths majority (now, majority) of the those members present and voting. Further provides that the failure of the board to submit its report on a timely basis shall not (now, shall) be deemed to constitute approval by the joint review board. Provides that in the event the board does not file its report, it shall be presumed that the redevelopment project area and plan do not satisfy (now, do satisfy) certain objectives, requirements, and eligibility criteria. In provisions concerning a resubmitted plan or amendment, prohibits a municipality from proceeding with a plan or amendment if the plan or amendment is rejected by a three-fifths vote of the board. Authorizes the corporate authority responsible for the plan or amendment's approval to approve the plan or amendment by a three-fifths vote if it is rejected by less than a three-fifths vote of the board.

Creates the Accountability in Higher Education Act. Requires public universities in this State to develop annual academic, financial, and enrollment plans that outline (i) tuition and fee estimates, (ii) enrollment projections, (iii) retention policies and projections, and (iv) accepting a number of accountability measures, including meeting benchmarks related to accessibility and affordability. Requires public universities to commit themselves formally to meeting specified State policy objectives, in conjunction with the goals set forth in the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success. Requires the Board of Higher Education to be responsible for developing performance indicators to measure whether public universities in this State are meeting State policy objectives, in conjunction with the goals set forth in the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code and the Special Assessment Supplemental Bond and Procedures Act. Sets forth an alternative procedure to apportion the assessment and the installments of a divided parcel. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Budget Reform Task Force. Sets out the membership of the Task Force. Directs the Task Force to consider: (1) how to reduce dependency on the property tax to fund Illinois schools, (2) recent changes in the revenue strategies enacted by other states, (3) broadening the sales tax schedule in a manner that balances new goods and services with a reduction in the overall tax rate, (4) how to reduce dependency on the estate tax, and (5) the implementation of a progressive income tax. Directs the Task Force to present a report to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2011. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

Amends the Election Code. In a Section concerning the computing of dates of various acts allowed or required by the Election Code, provides that the definition of "State holiday" includes Christmas Eve.

Amends the Property Tax Code and the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that, for supervisors of assessments and county superintendents of highways in counties of less than 600,000 inhabitants who are appointed or elected on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, during the first 6 months of supervisor's first term of office, he or she may be removed from office for any reason by a 2/3 vote of the county board. Provides that the term of office for a county superintendent of highways in a county of less than 600,000 inhabitants shall be 4 years. Provides that a county superintendent of highways in a county of less than 600,000 inhabitants may be removed from office before the expiration of his or her term by a vote of 2/3 of the members of the county board. Effective immediately.

Commends and applauds the 2012 Northern Illinois University Huskies for their accomplishments during the 2012 season.