Rep. Kathleen Willis

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to the amount paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year for the purpose of purchasing acoustical materials, other materials, labor, and professional services to soundproof a residential home located at an eligible address against aircraft noise generated by an airport governed by the provisions of the Permanent Noise Monitoring Act. Provides that the credit may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero; however, the credit may be carried forward. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that if a change is made concerning regular meeting dates, times, or locations (currently, only change in dates), at least 10 days' notice of such change shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area in which such body functions. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that at least 10 days' notice of a change made in regular meeting dates, times, or locations may also be provided on the website of a public body in addition to providing notice in a newspaper, or in lieu of providing notice in a newspaper if there is no such newspaper of general circulation in the area in which the public body functions.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue may share information with the State Treasurer for the purpose of administering the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act. Amends the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act. Provides that the State Treasurer shall, at least annually, notify the Department of Revenue of the names of persons appearing to be owners of abandoned property held by the State Treasurer, and that the Department of Revenue shall provide address and other information for such persons to the State Treasurer to facilitate the return of unclaimed property. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that not less than 75% of the amounts collected by a municipality within DuPage County pursuant to the municipal hotel operators' occupation tax and municipal hotel use tax shall be used to promote tourism within that municipality. Requires that the municipality belong to a not-for-profit organization headquartered in DuPage County that is recognized by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as a certified local tourism and convention bureau entitled to receive State tourism grant funds. Provides that the remainder of the amounts collected may be used by the municipality for economic development or capital infrastructure. Repeals the provisions on January 1, 2021. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Extends the repeal of provisions regarding a municipal hotel operators' and hotel use tax in DuPage County from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2023.

Mourns the death of Officer John Petty "J.D." Rivera of Hegewisch.

Declares April 2, 2019 as Pay Equity Day.

Amends the School Code. With regard to grants to alternative schools, safe schools, and alternative learning opportunities programs, for fiscal year 2019, to calculate grant amounts to the programs operated by regional offices of education, the State Board of Education shall calculate an amount equal to the greater of the regional program's best 3 months of average daily attendance for the 2017-2018 school year or the average of the best 3 months of average daily attendance for the 2015-2016 school year through the 2017-2018 school year, multiplied by the amount of $6,119. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. In provisions about procedures for a large public utility to acquire a water or sewer utility, provides that if the water or sewer utility being acquired is owned by the State or a political subdivision of the State, a referendum will be required to approve the acquisition of the water or sewer utility by the large public utility (rather than only requiring a public meeting and publication of the terms of acquisition in a newspaper of general circulation in the area that the water or sewer utility operates). Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section regarding property tax exemptions for charitable purposes, provides that property held by a charitable organization for the purpose of constructing or rehabilitating residences for eventual transfer to qualified low-income families through sale, lease, or contract for deed is exempt from property tax as a charitable purpose. Provides that the exemption commences on the day title to the property is transferred to the organization and continues to the end of the levy year in which the organization transfers title to the property to a qualified low-income family. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that a small business subcontractor may enter into an agreement with the Department of Transportation to receive direct payments from the Department on a construction project. Amends the State Prompt Payment Act. Provides that when a State official or agency responsible for administering a contract submits a voucher to the Comptroller for payment to a small business subcontractor who enters into a specified contract under the Department of Transportation Law, that State official or agency shall make available electronically the voucher information. Provides that if a contractor is assessed liquidated damages from the State, the contractor is still responsible to each subcontractor under subcontracts. Provides that contractors are responsible for reasonable attorneys' fees if an administrative law judge finds in favor of the subcontractor. Provides that if a contractor with the Department or a small business subcontractor claims that additional payment is due under the terms of the contract, and the Department of Transportation has not agreed that payment is due, the contractor or subcontractor desiring to pursue additional compensation shall file a claim according to the requirements and procedures specified by the Department. Provides that if the claim, after consideration by the Department, is found to have merit, the Department will make an equitable adjustment.