Sen. William E. Peterson

Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. In provisions concerning eligibility for grants and for pharmaceutical assistance under the Act, increases the household income eligibility limitations for grant year 2005, and provides that, for grant years 2006 and thereafter, the limitations shall be increased annually by the lesser of (i) 5% or (ii) the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the previous calendar year. Effective immediately.

Creates a Task Force to study special education funding. Directs the task force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2007. Provides that the task force shall be facilitated by the State Board of Education.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that automobile insurers do not have to make available uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage in connection with the issuance of certain commercial liability policies. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Exempts the Underground Storage Tank Fund from the Act's administrative charge-back provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a member of the armed forces of the United States, other than a reserve component, on active duty on the due date of any installment of taxes due under the Property Tax Code shall not be deemed delinquent in the payment of the installment until 90 days after the due date or, if the member is deployed outside the continental United States, 90 days after the member is redeployed to the continental United States. Provides that members of the reserve components of the armed forces of the United States or members of the National Guard who are on active duty shall not be deemed delinquent in the payment of the installment until 90 days (now, 30 days) after the member returns from active duty. Deletes provisions concerning an amnesty period in Cook County for certain National Guard members for taxes on homestead property due and payable in 1991 or 1992. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Allows a tax credit for individual taxpayers in an amount equal to 25% of the premium costs paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year for each qualified long-term care insurance contract purchased on or after January 1, 2006 that offers coverage to either the taxpayer or to the taxpayer's spouse, parent, or dependent. Provides that the credit may not exceed $100 for each qualified long-term care policy. Provides that the credit may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero and may not be carried forward. Provides that a taxpayer is not entitled to the credit with respect to amounts expended for the same qualified long-term care insurance contract that are claimed by another taxpayer. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning the waiver and modification of mandates, removes the requirement that the public hearing on the application and plan be held on a day other than the day on which a regular meeting of the school board is held. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning downstate police.

Mourns the passing of Arnold Miller of Highland Park.

Mourns the death of Leonard J. "Len" Kuskowski of Tower Lakes.