Rep. Calvin L. Giles

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2005, a taxpayer employer is allowed an income tax credit in the amount of $1,200 or 5% of the salary paid to the employee during the taxable year, whichever is less, for each eligible ex-felon employed by the taxpayer as of the last day of the taxable year. Sets forth the standards for an employee to be an "eligible ex-felon". Provides that unused amounts of the credit may be carried forward for a period of 5 years. Exempts the credit from the sunset requirements of the Act. Requires the Department of Revenue and the Department of Corrections to adopt rules concerning the credit.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. In each of the definitions of "aggregate extension" excludes extensions made to fund the district's expenses to provide joint recreational programs for the handicapped under the Park District Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. In a Section concerning reimbursement for special education classes for children from orphanages, foster family homes, children's homes, or State housing units, provides that if a child who was eligible to receive services under that Section is adopted and that child continues to receive support services from the Department of Children and Family Services, then the child shall continue to be eligible to receive services under that Section. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that the penalty provisions of the offense of unlawful purchase of a firearm apply to attempting to purchase firearms in violation of the statute. Effective immediately.

Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Increases the minimum wage for workers 18 years and older to $6.50 per hour on January 1, 2004. Provides that, beginning in 2005, the minimum wage shall be annually adjusted by the Department of Labor. Provides that the adjustment shall be calculated each September 30, using the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, and shall take effect on January 1 of the following year. Provides that the Director of Labor shall by rule establish the minimum wage for employees under the age of 18 years. Deletes language providing that: (i) wages may not be less than the federal minimum hourly wage and wages paid to any employee under 18 years of age may not be more than 50 cents less than the wage required to be paid to employees who are at least 18 years of age; and (ii) every employer of an employee engaged in an occupation in which gratuities have customarily been recognized as part of the remuneration is entitled to an allowance for gratuities as part of the hourly wage rate in an amount not to exceed 40% of the applicable minimum wage rate.

Amends the Election Code. In the Article governing the use of in-precinct voting systems with optic scan technology, makes changes in terms and procedures to accommodate the use of touch-screen computers to display and mark ballots. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Designates the third Saturday in June of each year as Juneteenth National Freedom Day to commemorate the abolition of slavery throughout the United States and its territories in 1865. Effective immediately.

Amends the Cigarette Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the School Code by requiring the Chicago Board of Education to establish a pilot program to prevent crime by developing guidelines to identify students at risk of committing crimes and requiring them to tour a prison to discourage criminal behavior. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Amends the Historic Preservation Agency Act. Creates the Freedom Trail Commission. Contains provisions concerning the membership and duties of the commission. Provides that the commission must prepare a master plan to promote and preserve the history of the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State; work in conjunction with State and federal authorities to sponsor commemorations, linkages, seminars, and public forums on the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State and in neighboring states; assist and promote the making of applications for inclusion in the national and State register of historic places for significant historic places related to the freedom trail and the underground railroad in the State; assist and develop partnerships to seek public and private funds to carry out activities to protect, preserve, and promote the legacy of the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State; and work with the Illinois State Board of Education to evaluate, conduct research concerning, and develop a curriculum for use in Illinois public schools regarding the underground railroad, with emphasis on the activities of the underground railroad within this State. Provides that the commission must report its activities and findings to the General Assembly by February 1, 2004. Effective immediately.