Sen. Chris Lauzen

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Beginning with members elected in 2012, changes the House of Representatives from a 118-member body elected from 118 districts to a 117-member body elected from 39 districts of 3 members each. Prohibits a political party from limiting its nominations to less than 3 candidates in a Representative District. Permits a voter to cast 3 votes among one, 2, or 3 candidates for Representative. Effective upon being declared adopted and applies to the election of Representatives in 2012 and thereafter.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. In a Section concerning the education expense credit, provides that tuition is not a qualified education expense. Creates the tuition expense credit. Provides that taxpayers are entitled to a credit in an amount equal to 100% of qualified tuition expenses, up to one-half of the State operating expenditure per pupil. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Prohibits political committees and nonprofit organizations required to register with the State Board of Elections from making transfers of funds in an aggregate total in excess of $1,000 to political committees and nonprofit organizations during a 2-year election cycle. Effective immediately.

Amends the Compensation Review Act. Requires that the Compensation Review Board file separate reports with respect to (i) State executive branch constitutional officers and General Assembly members and (ii) all other offices and positions subject to the Act. Provides that a report is effective if approved in whole or reduced by a resolution adopted by the General Assembly (now, effective unless disapproved in whole or reduced by a resolution adopted by the General Assembly). Requires a separate resolution and vote for each report. Removes an obsolete reference to the period for disapproval of the Board's initial report.

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability Act. Requires the Commission to conduct a study, compile data, and make a report by January 1, 2010 concerning the economic effects, both inflows and outflows, of illegal immigration on the public and private economies of Illinois. Repeals the new provisions on July 1, 2010. Effective immediately.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that the prevailing wage shall be required to paid only by a public body awarding a contract of over $25,000.

Creates the Development Impact Fee Authorization for Local Governments Act. Authorizes municipalities and counties to adopt ordinances to impose, on behalf of themselves or other local governments, development impact fees on new developments in the municipality or county. Sets forth requirements and procedures for adopting the fee ordinances, for the imposition, collection, and expenditure of the fees, for returning unexpended fees, and for appealing the imposition of the fees. Requires that, within 2 years after the effective date of this Act, all municipalities and counties must conform any existing impact fee ordinance with the provisions required under this Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Statute on Statutes. Makes a technical change in a Section regarding the application of the Act.

Honors former United States Senator Peter Fitzgerald.