Amends the Illinois False Claims Act. Provides that no court has jurisdiction over a civil action relating to or involving a false claim regarding certain tax acts administered by the Department of Revenue unless the action is brought by the Attorney General. Provides that the Department of Revenue has the sole authority to bring an administrative action and that the Attorney General has the sole authority to bring a judicial action under the Act for a false claim, statement, or record pertaining to certain taxes administered by the Department of Revenue. Contains provisions concerning reporting, investigative, and enforcement procedures for allegations of false claims pertaining to certain taxes. Contains provisions governing the payment of rewards to persons who provide information that leads to recovery of funds under the new provisions. Provides that the appeal of a determination regarding an award may be appealed exclusively to the Court of Claims and must be filed within 30 days of the determination of the award. Makes other changes, including a corresponding change in the Court of Claims Act.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that counties may impose regulations, eliminate uses, buildings, or structures or require permits for parcels of land consisting of less than 20 acres being used for animal husbandry (other than equine activity) within or adjacent to residential zoning districts in counties with a population in excess of 675,000.
Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, a school district required to offer a consumer education course may form a partnership with a local financial institution to establish a financial training program for all students in grade 12, regardless of the student's prior academic history; defines "financial institution". Provides that the program must be limited to one hour of financial training per week during the student's final semester before graduation and must be provided by a financial institution at no cost to the school district. Provides that the curriculum for the program must include, but is not limited to, (i) properly investing early, (ii) managing debt, including student loan debt, and (iii) saving for retirement.
Amends the School Code. Provides that an applicant for employment with a school district must obtain school board approval at a public hearing prior to being hired if he or she is the relative of a person already employed by the school district and that person would have supervisory authority over the applicant; defines "relative". Provides that if a school board member is a relative of an applicant, he or she may not participate in any employment decisions concerning the applicant, including, but not limited to, decisions regarding hiring, employment status, reappointment, placement, evaluations, salary and salary increases, promotion, tenure, and awards. Effective immediately.
Amends the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability Act. Provides that the House of Representatives and the Senate, in consultation with of the Office of the Governor, shall by joint resolution adopt or modify revenue estimates provided by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability within 2 days after the Governor's Budget Address to the General Assembly or by March 1, whichever occurs first. Provides that the joint resolution shall constitute both the estimate of the General and the estimate of the Governor of the funds estimated to be available during the next fiscal year. Makes conforming changes.
Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that total State appropriations in any fiscal year may not exceed 97% of the revenues estimated to be available in the joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly. Effective immediately.
Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Requires each municipality to establish a defined contribution plan that aggregates firefighter and employer contributions in individual accounts used for retirement. Provides that if a firefighter who has more than 10 years of creditable service in a fund enters active service with a different municipality, he or she may elect to participate in the defined contribution plan in lieu of the defined benefit plan. Provides that if a fire chief to whom a specified provision of the Illinois Municipal Code applies (i) first becomes a member on or after January 1, 2020, (ii) is receiving pension payments, and (iii) reenters active service with any municipality that has established a pension fund under the Article, that fire chief may continue to receive pension payments while he or she is in active service, but shall only participate in a defined contribution plan and may not establish creditable service in the pension fund established by that municipality or have his or her pension recomputed. Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency may not enter into new contracts or renew any contract previously made with one or more responsible parties to construct and operate official inspection stations, provide and maintain approved test equipment, administer tests, certify results, issue emission inspection stickers or certificates, maintain records, train personnel, provide information to the public concerning the program, or otherwise. Provides that any facility that performs maintenance or repair work on motor vehicles as a routine part of its business may apply to the Agency for certification as an official inspection station. Provides that the Agency shall authorize as an official inspection station any applicant that meets specific criteria.
Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that, prior to finalizing a no-bid contract, the chairman and each director of the Toll Highway Authority shall disclose any family, relational, professional, or financial ties, including the degree of connection, to the contractor vying for the contract. Provides that the disclosure shall be released to the public and the Toll Highway Inspector General. Provides that, if the Toll Highway Inspector General determines that a conflict of interest exists, the individual with the conflict of interest shall recuse himself or herself from all discussions and voting upon the contract. Provides that the Authority shall adopt bylaws to define the degree of connection requiring disclosure and to enforce the provision.
Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Moves the investment power for eligible downstate police and downstate firefighter pension funds that have net assets in trust that exceed an amount equal to 3 months of current liabilities to the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Provides that within 24 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Insurance shall audit the investment assets of each eligible pension fund to determine a certified investment asset list. Provides that upon receipt of the certified investment asset list, the Board of IMRF shall initiate the transfer of assets from the board of trustees of the eligible pension fund to the Board of IMRF. Makes conforming changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.