Amends the Public Utilities Act. Modifies the requirements for an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction of new high voltage electric service lines and related facilities (Project). Provides that an applicant must provide and identify a proposed primary right-of-way and one or more alternate rights-of-way for the Project at the first public meeting held in each county. Requires that the public be provided the opportunity to comment on the proposed primary and alternate rights-of-way. Requires notice of the time and place scheduled for the public meeting to be provided by registered mail to each owner of record of land included in the proposed primary and alternate rights-of-way over which the utility seeks to construct a high-voltage electric line. Provides that for applications filed after the effective date of this amendatory Act, certificates granted for Projects that will impact agricultural land shall be conditioned on the applicant adhering to an agricultural impact mitigation agreement that he or she has entered into with the Department of Agriculture that outlines the mitigative actions the applicant will take to preserve the integrity of agricultural land impacted by the Project. Provides that if a public utility seeks relief to exercise eminent domain power to make necessary alterations, additions, extensions, or improvements ordered or authorized under certain specified Sections after the Commission enters its order in a proceeding for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a Project, the Commission shall issue its order within 180 (rather than 45) days after the utility files its petition seeking relief. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may certify one additional pilot River Edge Redevelopment Zone in the City of Kankakee. Effective immediately.
Amends provisions of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act concerning the determination of child support. Provides that, if each parent exercises 73 (rather than 146) or more overnights per year with the child, the basic child support obligation is multiplied by 1.5 to calculate the shared care child support obligation.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax deduction in an amount equal to the out-of-pocket costs incurred by a taxpayer during the taxable year for expenses associated with long-term care for the taxpayer or the taxpayer's family member. Effective immediately.
Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to make certain real estate conveyances in Bureau County, Menard County, and Pulaski County, subject to specified conditions. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to make certain real estate conveyances in Grundy County, DuPage County, DeKalb County, Montgomery County, Tazewell County, and Mason County, subject to specified conditions. Effective immediately.
Declares domestic violence a public health priority for the State of Illinois and urges the state to make available all necessary resources to combat this epidemic.
Congratulations John Avendano on the occasion of his retirement as president of Kankakee Community College.
Creates the Pollinator Friendly Solar Site Act. Provides that an owner of a ground-mounted solar site may follow practices that: (1) provide native perennial vegetation and foraging habitat which is beneficial to game birds, songbirds, and pollinators; and (2) reduce storm water runoff and erosion at the solar site. Provides that an owner or manager of a solar site with a generating capacity of more than 40 kilowatts implementing site management practices under the Act may claim that the site is "pollinator-friendly" or provides benefits to game birds, songbirds, and pollinators only if the site adheres to guidance set forth by the pollinator friendly scorecard published by the Department of Natural Resources in consultation with stakeholders. Provides that an owner making a beneficial habitat claim shall make the solar site's pollinator score card, and where available, related vegetation management plans, available to the public and provide a copy to the Department of Natural Resources and a nonprofit solar industry trade association of the State. Effective immediately.
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. With respect to an impartial due process hearing, changes when the hearing officer must issue his or her written decision from within 10 days to within 10 business days after the conclusion of the hearing. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for the issuance of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm license plates to any Illinois resident who has earned the Southwest Asia Service Medal from the United States Armed Forces. Effective immediately.