Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Department of Revenue.
Amends the Fire Equipment Distributor and Employee Regulation Act of 2011. Makes changes in provisions concerning definitions; license requirements and injunctions; rules; reports; personnel; formal charges; and disciplinary sanctions and hearings. Creates a provision that permits the State Fire Marshal to investigate the actions of any applicant or any person, firm, association, or corporation holding or claiming to hold a licensee under the Act. Creates a provision so the State Fire Marshal may adopt rules to permit the issuance of citations for certain violations of the Act. Repeals provisions concerning the Fire Equipment Distributor and Employee Advisory Board; examinations; and licensure without examination. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to extend the repeal of the Fire Equipment Distributor and Employee Regulation Act of 2011 from January 1, 2013 to January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.
Congratulates Tod Eastman on being designated a Rising Star in the banking industry by NorthWestern Financial Review.
Mourns the passing of Cory Blanchette and honors him for his service to the community of Manteno. Thanks the Dennis J. Smith Legacy Foundation for posthumously awarding him the 2012 Caring for the Community Award.
Congratulates Jamie Piccola of HomeStar Bank and Financial Services of Manteno on being named a Rising Star in the banking industry.
Amends the Illinois Fertilizer Act of 1961. Makes changes to the definitions. Provides for labeling requirements for fertilizers or custom blends. Provides that it shall be unlawful for misbranding or for the adulteration of a fertilizer within the State. Provides that the Director of the Department of Agriculture may refuse to register a fertilizer or cancel or suspend a fertilizer registration, custom blend, or fertilizer if certain specified claims are made. Permits the Director to issue and serve a written stop sale, stop use, or regulate removal upon an owner, operator, manager, or agent in charge of fertilizer. Creates the Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) for the purpose of pursuing nutrient research and providing educational programs to ensure the adoption and implementation of practices that optimize nutrient use efficiency, ensure soil fertility, and address environmental concerns with regard to fertilizer use. Provides that the Department has the authority to issue subpoenas, temporary restraining orders, preliminary or permanent injunctions against any person from violating or continuing to violate any provision of the Act. Provides for penalties based on type of violation. Repeals a provision concerning fund appropriations and seizure, condemnation, and sale of fertilizers. Makes other corresponding changes. Effective immediately.
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 Municipal Code and the Fire Protection District Act. In provisions concerning physical ability examinations, provides that the tests utilized to measure each applicant's capabilities may be tests based on industry standards currently in use or equivalent tests approved by the Joint Labor-Management Committee of the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Provides that a passing score on the written examination is one that is at or above the median (now, mean) score for all applicants. Sets forth requirements concerning preference points and placement on the final eligibility register. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Creates the OSHA Program Reorganization Act. Transfers, on July 1, 2012 or as soon thereafter as practical, certain powers, duties, rights, and responsibilities related to the Illinois Onsite Safety and Health Consultation Program (the OSHA program) from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to the Department of Labor. Provides that certain functions concerning the administration and management of employee benefits are unaffected by the transfer. Provides for the transfer of specified staff, records, unexpended moneys, and rules. Makes conforming changes in other Acts. 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.
