Rep. Patrick J. Verschoore

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.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides an alternative procedure that a large public utility may choose in establishing the ratemaking rate base of a water or sewer utility that the large public utility is acquiring. Defines "large public utility" and "water or sewer utility". Provides that the Commission's order that approves the large public utility's acquisition of the water or sewer utility shall include the Commission's decision establishing (1) the ratemaking rate base of the water or sewer utility and (2) the district or tariff group with which the water or sewer utility will be combined for ratemaking purposes. Sets forth provisions concerning definitions, appraisers and their duties, ratemaking rate base, and rate cases. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Changes the definition of "case" to mean any case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or container acceptable under specified provisions of the Criminal Code of 1961. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a slow-moving vehicle emblem may not be displayed in public view from a highway on an object other than an animal drawn vehicle, farm tractor, implement of husbandry and certain special mobile equipment. Provides that the fine for a first or subsequent offense of improperly displaying a slow-moving vehicle is $75 (instead of $25 for the first offense and $75 for a second or subsequent offense within one year of the first offense). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State may issue special registration plates to the surviving spouse and parents (instead of surviving spouse, or, if no spouse exists, the parents) of a police officer or firefighter who has died in the line of duty. Effective January 1, 2013.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, on or after July 1, 2012 and on or before December 31, 2018, the taxes imposed under the Acts apply to (i) 90% of the proceeds of sales of gasohol, (ii) 80% of the proceeds of sales of E20 blended ethanol fuel, and (iii) 60% of the proceeds of sales of E30 blended ethanol fuel. Provides that an exemption for majority blended ethanol fuel applies through December 31, 2018 (instead of December 31, 2013). Amends the Illinois Renewable Fuels Development Program Act. Provides that grants may be awarded for the following programs: a next generation renewable fuels program, a majority blended ethanol and blender pump infrastructure program, and a research and development program for sustainable corn production and corn-based renewable fuel production. Sets forth the maximum aggregate amount of grants that may be awarded under each program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the Comptroller shall order transferred and the Treasurer shall transfer all amounts remaining in the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund, the Fire Station Revolving Loan Fund, and the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund to the Fire and Ambulance Services Revolving Loan Fund. Repeals the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund, the Fire Station Revolving Loan Fund, and the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Fire and Ambulance Services Revolving Loan Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that the Fund shall be used for (i) loans to fire departments and fire protections districts to purchase fire trucks, (ii) loans to fire departments and fire protection districts to construct fire stations, and (iii) loans to fire departments, fire protection districts, and non-profit ambulance services to purchase ambulances. Amends the Fire Investigation Act. Provides that the Fire Prevention Fund shall be used for grants awarded under the Small Fire-fighting and Ambulance Equipment Grant Program. Provides that, each month, $5.50 from each fine deposited into the Fire Prevention Fund shall be transferred to the Fire and Ambulance Services Revolving Loan Fund (now, $1.50 to the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund and $4 to the Ambulance Revolving Loan Fund). Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that $15 of a fee imposed upon a person who is convicted of, pleads guilty to, or is placed on supervision for a serious traffic violation shall be deposited into the Fire and Ambulance Services Revolving Loan Fund (now, the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund). Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that an additional fine imposed upon a person convicted of arson shall be deposited into the Fire Prevention Fund (now, the Fire Service and Small Equipment Fund).

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that when resident identification bracelets are required, they must identify the issuing facility's telephone number. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the amount of the credit for wages paid by the taxpayer to a qualified veteran to 20%, but in no event to exceed $5,000, of the gross wages paid by the taxpayer to a qualified veteran if the veteran (A) was hired by the taxpayer on or after January 1, 2012 and (B) was unemployed at the time he or she was hired by the taxpayer. Exempts the credit from the Act's automatic sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall issue Gold Star license plates to all siblings of a person who has lost his or her life while serving in the Armed Forces (instead of to only one surviving sibling in the absence of a surviving parent).