Rep. Gary Hannig

Creates the Rural Technology Development Zone Act. Allows the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to designate 3 rural areas in the State as rural technology development zones. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall submit a report to the General Assembly outlining the progress in improving wireless telecommunications and Internet access within rural technology development zones. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to provide a tax credit for investments in technology infrastructure required to provide wireless telecommunications and Internet access in rural technology development zones. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "taxing district".

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Deletes a provision requiring an employer to make a return for the calendar year on or before January 31 of the succeeding calendar year concerning monthly payments of income tax deducted and withheld by the employer. Effective January 1, 2006.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Requires the purchaser or transferee of certain business assets to file a notice of the sale or transfer of those assets with the Department of Revenue within 10 business days (now, 10 days) of the sale or transfer and authorizes the purchaser or transferee to notify the Department of the sale or transfer of those assets at least 10 business days (now, 10 days) before the intended sale or transfer. Requires that any order issued by the Department to withhold from the purchase price shall be issued within 10 business days (now, 10 days) after the Department receives the notice. Requires the Department to provide written notice of the actual amount of taxes, penalties, and interest due and whether additional amounts may become due within 60 business days (now, 60 days) after the issuance of the initial order. Makes corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

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 State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a member who participated in the Graduate Public Service Internship Program may establish creditable service for that participation by making a specified contribution. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. In a Section requiring taxpayers with a certain annual tax liability to make payments by electronic funds transfer, deletes a provision exempting tax liability under the Motor Fuel Tax Law from the definition of "annual tax liability". Effective January 1, 2006.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that no person may bring a civil suit based on potential nuisance with respect to a proposed livestock management facility until all required federal, State, and local permits and approvals for the proposed facility have been granted. Provides that, from the time when all required federal, State, and local permits and approvals have been granted until animals are present and operations have actually begun at the proposed facility, it shall be presumed that a proposed livestock management facility can be lawfully operated in accordance with those permits. Includes related findings and declarations. Effective immediately.

Makes appropriations from the General Revenue Fund to the Board of Trustees of the State Universities Retirement System and the Community College Health Insurance Security Fund for the State’s contribution. Effective July 1, 2006.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Extends to July 1, 2009 (rather than July 1, 2008) the date by which a gas utility must commence construction of a coal gasification facility in order for provisions authorizing the utility to enter into a 20-year supply contract with a company for synthetic natural gas produced from coal through the gasification process to apply. Makes changes to the method by which it is determined that the cost for synthetic natural gas under such a contract is reasonable and prudent and recoverable through the purchased gas adjustment clause. Effective immediately.