Amends the Illinois Banking Act. Provides that no industrial loan company or industrial bank shall be deemed to be permitted to establish or to maintain one or more branches for the purpose of conducting any banking business within this State. Defines "industrial loan company" and "industrial bank".
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Allows a tax credit for individual taxpayers in an amount equal to 25% of the premium costs paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year for each qualified long-term care insurance contract purchased on or after January 1, 2006 that offers coverage to either the taxpayer or to the taxpayer's spouse, parent, or dependent. Provides that the credit may not exceed $100 for each qualified long-term care policy. Provides that the credit may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero and may not be carried forward. Provides that a taxpayer is not entitled to the credit with respect to amounts expended for the same qualified long-term care insurance contract that are claimed by another taxpayer. Effective immediately.
Amends the Election Code. Allows registered voters to vote by personal appearance during an early voting period. Provides that the early voting period begins on the third Saturday preceding a general primary, consolidated primary, consolidated, or general election and ends on the Friday before the election. Provides for permanent and temporary polling places for early voting. Provides that the election authority must publish a schedule of locations and times for early voting. Sets procedures for the issuance, return, and casting of early ballots. Prohibits advertising or campaigning within 100 feet of a polling place for early voting. Removes provisions permitting an absentee voter to vote on election day by cancelling or revoking his or her absentee ballot. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.
Creates the Blind Vendors Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Blind Services, shall operate and promote the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth that the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act and the regulations adopted pursuant to that Act shall serve as the minimum standards for the operation of the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Provides that under the Program: (1) blind vendors have priority in the operation of all vending facilities on State property; (2) vending machine income from all vending machines on State property shall be assigned to the blind vendor on the property or to the Blind Vendors Trust Fund; (3) no State agency may impose any commission, service charge, rent, or utility charge on a blind vendor operating on State property; (4) sales made at a blind vendor's vending facility are exempt from all occupation and use taxes; and (5) State agencies may not allow competition with a blind vendor. Sets forth that the Bureau Director for the Bureau of the Blind and the Committee of Blind Vendors shall jointly develop regulations to ensure that priority is given to blind vendors in the operation of vending facilities on State property. Provides that the Department may provide for set-asides of the net proceeds of vending operations under certain conditions. Requires set-aside funds to be deposited in the Blind Vendors Trust Fund, a separate account managed by the Department for the State's blind vendors. Sets forth provisions for the distribution of vending machine income from vending machines on State property. Provides certain conditions for the licensing of blind vendors. Creates the Committee of Blind Vendors to jointly participate in the development and implementation of all policies, plans, and major decisions affecting the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth provisions for the composition of the Committee. Provides certain procedures for the resolution of disputes arising within the Program. Provides for the promulgation of regulations relating to the operation of this Act. Requires the Department to make regular surveys and reports on State property and vending facilities. Sets forth conditions and information to be contained in the surveys and reports. Preempts home rule powers. Repeals the Blind Persons Operating Vending Facilities Act. Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to provide that personal property purchased from a blind vendor's vending facility licensed by the Department of Human Services under the Blind Vendors Act is exempt from the taxes imposed by those Acts and that these exemptions are not subject to the sunset provisions of those Acts.
Amends the Banking on Illinois Act. Makes a change concerning declarations of policy to provide that by ensuring a favorable environment for banks to commence and operate their businesses from this State, more newly created community banks and merging banks will choose to maintain or retain their headquarters in or (now, and) relocate their main banking offices to Illinois. Provides that it is the purpose of the Act to encourage and provide a favorable environment in Illinois for the chartering and operating of banks that locate and maintain main banking headquarters (now, offices) in this State. Authorizes a State or federally chartered bank that maintains its main banking headquarters in this State to offer a credit product to Illinois residents under the same terms and conditions that an out-of-state bank may offer the credit product to Illinois residents. Requires any bank offering such a credit product to provide written notice to the Director of the Division of Banks and Real Estate in the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation of its intent to offer the product. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Election Code. With respect to local referenda authorized by the Illinois Constitution, changes the minimum petition signature requirement to at least 8% of the number of votes cast in the governmental unit for candidates for Governor in the preceding gubernatorial election (now, 10% of the number of registered voters).
Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that if any dog (now, certain vicious dogs), (1) inflicts serious physical injury upon any person other than the owner or causes the death of another person; and (2) the attack is unprovoked in a place where such person is peaceably conducting himself or herself and where such person may lawfully be; the owner of the dog is absolutely liable and shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony, unless the owner knowingly allowed the dog to run at large or failed to take steps to keep the dog in an enclosure, then the owner shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony. Provides that if any dog (now, certain dangerous dogs) inflicts serious physical injury on a companion animal the owner of the dog shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
Amends the Interest Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the adoption of certain rules.
Appropriates $145,700 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for the purpose of providing a 3% cost-of-doing-business adjustment for Centers for Independent Living. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Re-enacts the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption. The exemption was created by Public Act 88-669, which has been held to be unconstitutional as a violation of the single subject clause of the Illinois Constitution. Includes validation provisions. Effective immediately.
