Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Authority may not increase toll rates without first obtaining authorization by joint resolution of the General Assembly. Effective July 1, 2012.
Amends the Counties Code. In a Section concerning the deposit of public funds, requires a co-signer, in addition to the treasurer, on all municipal accounts. Requires the county board to review certain books of account on a semi-annual basis. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the corporate authorities shall inspect the treasurer's books and accounts on a semi-annual basis. Removes a provision that requires the books and accounts to be subject to inspection at any time by a member of the corporate authorities. In a Section concerning treasurer's reports, requires the corporate authorities to review certain account statements on a monthly basis. Further provides that in addition to the treasurer, a co-signer shall be required on all municipal accounts. Provides that the treasurer shall report to the corporate authorities on a semi-annual basis (now, as often as they require) a full and detailed account of all receipts and expenditures of the municipality. Requires the municipal clerk to provide the corporate authorities with a copy of any annual account. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Authorizes the Agency to collect and solicit citizen complaints alleging a violation of the Act, any rule adopted under the Act, a permit granted by the Agency, or a condition of a permit via telephone, website, fax, mail, e-mail, or any other reasonable means. Provides that the Agency may accept citizen complaints that are anonymous and unaccompanied by the name and mailing address of the complainant, except that, for complaints alleging a violation arising out of agricultural production, the complainant must provide his or her name and mailing address. Sets forth that the Agency must keep the name and address of the complainant confidential, subject to certain penalties. Exempts the name and address of these complainants from public disclosure under provisions of the Act authorizing reasonable public inspection. Defines "agricultural production". Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 concerning official misconduct. Provides that a person who commits the offense with intent to obtain a personal advantage for himself, herself, or another and performs an act in excess of his or her lawful authority, if the personal advantage obtained for himself, herself, or another is property or has a specified monetary value, is guilty of a: (1) Class 2 felony if the value of the personal advantage obtained does not exceed $10,000; (2) Class 1 felony if the value of the personal advantage obtained exceeds $10,000 but does not exceed $100,000; and (3) Class X felony if the value of the personal advantage obtained exceeds $100,000.
Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that the maximum number of preference points awarded for military service to a veteran who applies for a position with the Department of Corrections shall be equal to the number of points awarded to an applicant for having a bachelor's degree plus the number of points awarded to an applicant for college credit. Effective January 1, 2012.
Amends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that not later than 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act, the Department of Human Services shall, by emergency rule, establish a program of substance abuse testing as a condition of eligibility for benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Provides that the Department shall require applicants for TANF benefits to submit to substance abuse testing before a final determination of eligibility. Provides that an applicant shall be ineligible for TANF benefits if (i) the applicant tests positive for substance abuse or (ii) the applicant refuses to submit to substance abuse testing. Provides that if an applicant tests negative for substance abuse and meets all the other eligibility requirements for TANF benefits, the cost of administering the substance abuse test to the applicant shall be deducted from the applicant's first benefits payment.
Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall monitor the rate of tax imposed on motor fuel and gasohol by the states of Iowa, Kentucky, and Missouri. Provides that, if the Department finds that the rate of tax imposed on the selling price of motor fuel or gasohol, or both, by the State of Iowa, the State of Kentucky, or the State of Missouri is less than 6.25%, then the Department shall, by rule, reduce the rate of tax imposed under the Acts on motor fuel and gasohol sold within 30 miles of a bridge or operating motor vehicle ferry that crosses the Illinois border with Iowa, Kentucky, or Missouri, as applicable, to 1.25% beginning on the first day of the first month to occur not less than 30 days after the date of the finding. Provides that, if the Department finds that the rate of tax imposed on the selling price of motor fuel or gasohol, or both, by the State of Iowa, the State of Kentucky, or the State of Missouri is 6.25% or higher, then the Department shall, by rule, increase the rate of tax imposed under the Acts on motor fuel and gasohol to 6.25%. Effective immediately.
Urges the President to take emergency action to ensure water levels do not fall below a level needed by commercial navigation on the Mississippi River and to direct the Army Corps of Engineers to avert potential economic disaster on this vital avenue. Urges the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite and fully implement alternative emergency measures to remedy this situation and to deviate from planned operations outlined in the Missouri River Master Water Control Manual and exercise its authority to address situations when appropriate.
Mourns the death in Afghanistan of United States Army Private First Class Adam Dobereiner of Moline.
Congratulates the Quad Cities MetroLink on being selected 2012 Outstanding Public Transportation System.
