Sen. John G. Mulroe

Amends the Chicago Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that retiree members of the city health care plans shall pay no higher premium, and shall receive no lower level of benefits, than the active employee members with the same Medicare status. Pre-empts home rule. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit Act. Makes it possible for a person who operates an Illinois business having no more than 75 full-time employees (instead of 50) to apply for the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit. Extends the incentive period from June 30, 2011 to June 30, 2012, if the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of the State of Illinois for the month of May 2011 is 7.0% or higher, as reported by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Raises the cap on the credit from $2,500 to $3,500 for each new employee hired. Changes the manner in which the net increase in full-time Illinois employees is calculated in the event that the incentive period is extended. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a period of probation, a term of periodic imprisonment, or conditional discharge shall not be imposed for conviction for aggravated assault if a firearm is used in the commission of the assault of a peace officer, a community policing volunteer, a private security officer, fireman, an emergency medical technician-ambulance, emergency medical technician-intermediate, emergency medical technician-paramedic, ambulance driver, or other medical assistance or first aid personnel while such person is engaged in the execution of any of his or her official duties, or to prevent such person from performing his or her official duties, or in retaliation for the person performing his or her official duties. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Removes a requirement that taxpayers in a county with 3,000,000 inhabitants must reapply for the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption on an annual basis.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that every electronic benefits transfer ("LINK") card issued on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of enabling the cardholder to obtain food stamp benefits or cash must include on the card's face a photograph of the cardholder. Provides that within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act, the Department shall replace every still-valid card issued before that date with a card that includes on its face a photograph of the cardholder.

Amends the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit Act. Provides that a person who operates an Illinois business having 75 or fewer full-time employees (instead of 50 or fewer full-time employees) may apply for the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit. Extends the incentive period from June 30, 2011 to June 30, 2012, if the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of the State of Illinois for the month of May 2011 is 7.0% or higher, as reported by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Raises the cap on the credit from $2,500 to $3,500 for each new employee hired. Changes the manner in which the net increase in full-time Illinois employees is calculated in the event that the incentive period is extended. Contains provisions concerning the applicability of the credit to employers that contract with a Professional Employer Organization. Effective immediately.

Amends the Co-operative Act. Provides that health benefit purchasing cooperatives may be organized by one or more persons in geographic areas designated by the Director of the Department of Insurance. Provides guidance for the design of a health benefit purchasing cooperative. Provides guidance for establishing member criteria and requires a cooperative to file the criteria and other reports with the Director of the Department of Insurance. Provides that each health benefit purchasing cooperative shall be organized on a membership basis with no capital stock. Provides that the contract between the health benefit purchasing cooperative and an insurer shall be for a term of 3 years. Effective immediately.

Urges the Federal Aeronautics Administration and O'Hare International Airport authorities to decrease jet noise over Edison Park and the communities of Northwest Chicago by establishing a full-time fly quiet program and urge the creation and passage of a federal homeowner's aviation fly quiet act.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Adds to the mortgage foreclosure provisions a definition of "abandoned residential property". Provides requirement and procedures for an expedited judgment and sale of abandoned residential property. Provides that the period of redemption ends for abandoned residential property on the date of the judgment confirming the judicial sale. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning payment under the Medicaid program for obligations incurred but not paid for at the time of a recipient's death.