Rep. Frank J. Mautino

Amends the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor's Act. Provides that the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor and all attorneys employed by the Office may also assist State's Attorneys in the discharge of their duties on hearings in post-conviction proceedings. Provides that the Director of the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor may contract for such investigators (rather than hire no more than 0 investigators) to provide investigative services in criminal cases and tax objection cases for staff counsel and county State's attorneys. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. With respect to the rolling stock exemption for aircraft and watercraft, requires that greater than 50% of the trips or miles in a 12-month period must be qualifying trips (interstate, for hire). Provides that an election of the trips or mileage method remains in effect for the life of the item (now, during a notice of liability period). Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Sex Offender Management Board Act. Provides that the appointment by the Governor of the member of the Sex Offender Management Board to represent probation services be based on the recommendation of the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the legislative purpose of the Act.

Congratulates the members of the Streator Little League All Stars baseball team for their impressive season and for their great performance at the Great Lakes Regional Little League tournament.

Amends the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit Act. Provides that an employee who is employed in the service of the applicant for a basic wage for at least 35 hours each week or who renders a standard of service to the applicant that is generally accepted as full-time employment is considered a full-time employee of the applicant regardless of whether a W-2 is issued for the employee by a professional employer organization. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to make rules concerning applicants for which a professional employer organization has been contracted to issue W-2s and make payment of withholding taxes.

Amends the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor's Act. Provides that the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor and all attorneys employed by the Office may also assist State's Attorneys in the discharge of their duties on hearings in post-conviction proceedings. Provides that the Director of the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor may contract for such investigators (rather than hire no more than 0 investigators) to provide investigative services in criminal cases and tax objection cases for staff counsel and county State's attorneys. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that if a county board determines members shall be elected by districts, then each district shall be "substantially" equal in population to each other district. Provides that in counties of less than 500,000 inhabitants, the recorder may cause to be microphotographed or otherwise reproduced on electronic method of storage any instrument received in writing by the recorder. Further provides that authorization by the county board is not required for the reproduction of the instruments on film or electronic method of storage. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning County Clerks in counties of the first and second class. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2014 and in accordance with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the State shall establish a State health benefits exchange to be known as the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange in order to help individuals and small employers with no more than 50 employees shop for, select, and enroll in qualified, affordable private health plans. Sets forth provisions concerning Exchange functions, the Legislative Study Committee, Committee studies, and federal action. Repeals the Health Care Justice Act. Effective immediately.