Rep. Jim Watson

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Beginning on January 1, 2007, exempts from the taxes imposed by these Acts tangible personal property purchased by a not-for-profit corporation organized under the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986 for the purpose of ownership and operation of water supply facilities for drinking and general domestic use on a mutual or cooperative basis. Provides that the exemptions are not subject to the sunset provisions of the Acts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the presidential elector with the highest number of votes in a congressional district casts an electoral vote for the presidential and vice presidential candidates of his or her political party. Provides that an at large presidential elector who receives the highest or second highest number of votes statewide casts an electoral vote for the candidates of his or her party.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Beginning January 1, 2005, decreases the NPDES fees for certain facilities with a Design Average Flow rate of at least 500,000 gallons per day but less than 5,000,000 gallons per day. Requires a $500 fee for NPDES permits for mines other than mines producing coal (now, $5,000). Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency may refund the difference between any fee amounts paid and the reduced fee amounts due under this amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Assistive Technology Warranty Act and amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a manufacturer or assistive technology device lessor who sells or leases an assistive technology device to a consumer, either directly or through an assistive technology device dealer, must furnish the consumer with an express warranty for the assistive technology device warranting that the device is free of any nonconformity. Provides that the duration of the express warranty shall be not less than one year after the date of the initial delivery of the assistive technology device to the consumer. Provides that if a new assistive technology device does not conform to an applicable express warranty, a reasonable attempt to repair the nonconformity shall be made at no charge to the consumer. Provides for a refund to a consumer if the nonconformity is not repaired after a reasonable attempt to do so. Provides for arbitration in accordance with rules adopted by the Attorney General. Provides that any waiver by a consumer of rights under the Assistive Technology Warranty Act is void. Provides for civil remedies. Provides that a violation of the Assistive Technology Warranty Act is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Amends the School Code. Allows cooperative high schools to receive some of the same supplementary State aid that new districts receive. Effective immediately.

Amends the University of Illinois Act. Provides that for the benefit of the children of persons who served in the armed forces of the United States during specified periods of hostilities, each county shall be entitled, annually, to a total of five honorary scholarships in the university (instead of one scholarship for each specified period of hostility). Adds any time on or after September 11, 2001 and until Congress or the President orders that persons in service are no longer eligible for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal to the list of periods of hostilities.

Amends the Downstate Public Transportation Act. Includes the West Central Transit District serving Morgan and Scott counties as a participant in the Downstate Public Transportation Fund. Beginning July 1, 2005, requires the Comptroller to order transferred and requires the Treasurer to transfer, from the General Revenue Fund to the West Central Public Transportation Fund, an amount equal to 2/32 of the net revenue realized from retail and occupation taxes within the boundaries of Morgan and Scott counties. Limits the amount paid into the Fund to 2/32 of 80% of the net revenue realized for tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2006. Requires a local match based on the amount that could be raised by a tax levy at the rate of .05% on the assessed value of property within the boundaries of Morgan and Scott counties. Provides that failure to raise the local match will result in a reduced deposit into the West Central Public Transportation Fund. Makes other changes. Amends the State Finance Act. Establishes the West Central Public Transportation Fund, a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the maximum reduction under the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption and under the general homestead exemption shall be increased annually by an amount equal to the annual rate of increase of the Consumer Price Index for the previous calendar year. Effective immediately.

Recognizes the week of March 14-20, 2005, as Brain Awareness Week in the State of Illinois.

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education for its FY07 ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2006.