Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. In a provision concerning eligibility for grants under the Act, increases the household income eligibility limitations for grant year 2006, and provides that, for grant years 2007 and thereafter, the limitations shall be increased annually by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the previous calendar year. Effective immediately.
Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Repeals a provision that repeals the Act on July 1, 2007.
Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Allows an income tax credit for each individual taxpayer who is a teacher teaching in a school in Illinois. Provides that the amount of the credit is equal to the eligible classroom expenses made by the taxpayer during the taxable year, but the credit may not exceed $500. Defines "eligible classroom expenses" as the aggregate amount of nonreimbursed classroom expenses made by the taxpayer during the taxable year less $250. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Deletes the provisions concerning the payment of certain moneys that would otherwise be payable to purse accounts to wagering facilities if the total Illinois pari-mutuel handle on Illinois horse races at all wagering facilities in a calendar year is less than 75% of the total Illinois pari-mutuel handle on Illinois horse races at all such wagering facilities for calendar year 1994 (the recapture provisions). Makes changes concerning the distribution of certain inter-track wagering moneys. Repeals a provision authorizing organization licensees to impose a surcharge on winning wagers and winnings from wagers and makes a corresponding change.
Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law and the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. In a Section allowing the Director of Professional Regulation to suspend certain licensing requirements after the proclamation of a disaster by the Governor for persons working for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Department of Public Health, provides that working for IEMA may also include working for an emergency services and disaster agency accredited by IEMA and that working for the Department of Public Health may also include working for a local public health department. Makes corresponding changes to a Section granting similar license suspension powers to the Director of Public Health. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Makes changes concerning the collection and payment of certain purse moneys. Effective immediately.
Creates the Supreme Court Campaign Reform Act. Provides that candidates for the Supreme Court may apply for a public financing benefit in connection with their campaign. Sets the amount of the public financing benefit at $750,000 for the general primary and general election cycle. Sets requirements for qualifying for the public financing benefits. Limits the amount of private contributions qualified candidates may accept. Limits the amounts that non-participating candidates may accept from private sources during campaign periods to $1,000 in the aggregate. Provides that qualified candidates must be distributed a line of credit from the Illinois Supreme Court Democracy Trust Fund to be used for lawful political expenditures. Provides for the increase of the line of credit if non-complying candidates make certain expenditures. Sets penalties for violations of the Act. Provides that the Illinois Supreme Court may require attorneys to contribute money to the Fund not to exceed $25 annually. Contains other provisions. Amends the Election Code. Provides that a payment for electioneering communications is an "expenditure". Provides that a group that "accepts contributions or makes expenditures during any 12-month period in an aggregate amount exceeding $3,000 for the purpose of electioneering communications" is a political committee. Allows the Board of Elections to impose a fine against a committee that fails to report expenditures that could trigger matching funds under the Supreme Court Campaign Reform Act. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Illinois Supreme Court Democracy Trust Fund. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Requires the Department of Revenue to print on its standard individual income tax form a provision by which the taxpayer may make a contribution (not less than $1) to the Illinois Supreme Court Democracy Trust Fund. Amends the Clerk of the Courts Act. Requires circuit court clerks to transfer $1 from each appearance fee paid to the State Treasurer for deposit into the Supreme Court Democracy Trust Fund and, to defray that expense, the county board may, by resolution, require the clerk of the circuit court in the county to charge and collect a Supreme Court Democracy Trust Fund fee of not more than $1, which shall be paid at the time that any appearance fee is paid. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for the issuance of Iraqi Freedom license plates at an additional initial charge of $40 and an additional renewal charge of $27 with eligibility requirements to be determined by the Secretary of State. Provides that $15 of the initial charge and $2 of the renewal charge shall be paid into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund and $25 of the initial charge and $25 of the renewal charge shall be paid into the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund. Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Provides that the moneys deposited into the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund from the sale of Iraqi Freedom license plates may, subject to appropriation, be used by the Department of Veterans' Affairs to provide grants to assist in the financial and educational support of minor and dependent children of veterans who died or were disabled in the line of duty.
