Sen. Dan Cronin

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 50% of 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 Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires the Board of Trustees of the Firefighters' Pension Fund to send a copy of the report on the condition of the pension fund to each active, retired, or disabled firefighter who is a member of the pension fund and to each deferred pensioner and beneficiary of the pension fund. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Amends the Eminent Domain Act. Provides that gradual elimination of nonconforming off-premises outdoor advertising signs over time, as permitted under Section 11-13-1 of the Illinois Municipal Code, shall be deemed just compensation for the signs under the Eminent Domain Act. Provides that the right to compensation for an eminent domain taking applies to the owner or owners of any lawfully erected off-premises outdoor advertising sign that is compelled to be removed (instead of altered or removed). Effective immediately.

Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that a person convicted of financial exploitation shall not receive payment for a statutory custodial claim (at present, a person may not receive property or a benefit as an heir, legatee, beneficiary, survivor, appointee, or in any other capacity). Provides that a statutory custodial claim shall be disallowed if the decedent expressly bars a relative from being paid a statutory custodial claim in a will or codicil executed by the decedent on a date that is after the relative dedicated himself or herself to the care of the decedent, lived with the decedent, and personally cared for the decedent for at least 3 years. Provides that the court may take into account and reduce the claim to the extent to which the person submitting the claim benefitted from the living arrangements with the decedent. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning school elections.

Appropriates $1,900,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education for a grant for drug and alcohol prevention pilot programs in school-based settings. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2007, the education expense credit may not exceed $1,000 (now, $500). Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the transportation of pupils.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. With respect to the Monetary Award Program, provides that the grant amount must not exceed the amount that equals the average tuition and necessary fees for undergraduate students at public universities in this State for the academic year no more than 2 years prior to the academic year for which grant assistance is being requested (now the amount is $4,968) or the amount that equals the average tuition and necessary fees for undergraduate students at public universities in this State for the academic year for which grant assistance is being requested (instead of the amount that equals 2 semesters or 3 quarters tuition and other necessary fees required generally by the institution of higher learning of all full-time undergraduate students). Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the School Code. Creates the SafeCall program, to be implemented by the State Board of Education, to provide students, teachers, other school employees, and the community with the means to relay information anonymously concerning dangerous, violent, or criminal activities to appropriate law enforcement or public safety agencies through a single electronic hotline. Provides that records and information created or obtained through implementation of the SafeCall hotline are confidential. Provides for a penalty for a person who discloses the records or information. Effective July 1, 2008.