Sen. Michael Noland

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Amends the Illinois State Collection Act of 1986. Provides that, in the case of any liability referred to a collection agency, any fee charged to the State by the collection agency is considered an additional liability owed to the State. Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the Illinois Income Tax Act to authorize the Department of Revenue to adopt rules and regulations for payments by credit card. Amends the Cigarette Use Tax Act to exempt from the definition of "use" the use of cigarettes by a not-for-profit research institution conducting tests concerning the health effects of tobacco products, provided the cigarettes are not offered for resale. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Authorizes the Secretary of State to disclose or otherwise make available to the Department of Revenue highly restricted personal information for use by the Department in the administration of any tax administered by the Department of Revenue or in the collection of any tax or debt that the Department of Revenue is authorized or required by law to collect. Effective immediately.

Creates the Consumer Contract Plain Language Act. Requires that consumer contracts involving $100,000 or less meet certain criteria to be clear and readable. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring an action to restrain the use of a consumer contract that violates the Act.

Creates the State Facility Overtime Act. Provides that the Director of the State agency responsible for the operation of specified State facilities (or the Director's designee or agent) may not require an employee to accept work in excess of an agreed upon, predetermined, and regularly scheduled daily work shift, not to exceed 40 hours per week. Provides for: exceptions to the prohibition; posting a summary of the Act and applicable rules; investigation of complaints by the Illinois Department of Labor and disposition of complaints; adoption of administrative rules; construction; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Student Silent Reflection Act. Allows a teacher to conduct (instead of requiring a teacher to observe) a brief period of silence at the opening of every school day with the participation of all pupils assembled. Provides that this period shall be an opportunity for such silent reflection as may be desired by each individual pupil (instead of an opportunity for silent prayer or for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes changes to the calculation of the credit for income tax that is paid by a resident to another state on income that is also subject to the Illinois Income tax. Effective immediately.

Amends "An Act making appropriations", Public Act 95-348. Restores and increases a vetoed appropriation to the Department of Agriculture for deposit into the State Cooperative Extension Service Trust Fund, and adds language providing that the appropriation is for 4-H Youth Development Educators. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning headset receivers.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the New Markets Development Program Act. Defines terms. Provides that taxpayers that make a qualified equity investment earn a vested right to certain tax credits against income, franchise, and insurance premium taxes. Credits are not transferable. Sets annual caps on credits. Provides for recapture. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to promulgate rules. Sunsets after fiscal year 2012 unless reauthorized by the General Assembly. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.