Sen. Matt Murphy

Proposes to amend the Local Government Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that a single township or two or more contiguous townships may be disconnected from Cook County and may form a new county. Provides that the disconnection must be approved by referendum adopted by a majority of the votes cast on the proposition in the township or townships, as applicable. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning in taxable year 2011 and through taxable year 2013, the total amount due on each property tax bill in each taxable year may not exceed the total amount due for that property in taxable year 2010. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.

Creates the Water Rate Protection Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF), Cook County, State Employees, State Universities, Downstate Teachers, and Chicago Teachers Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. For participants who first become participants on or after the effective date, prohibits (i) payments for unused sick or vacation time from being used to calculate pensionable earnings and salary and (ii) unused sick or vacation time from being used to establish service credit. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a credit for individual taxpayers in an amount equal to the total amount of expenditures made by the taxpayer during the taxable year for the purpose of modifying the taxpayer's primary residence to accommodate a person with a disability. Provides that the amount of the credit may not exceed $500 in any taxable year. Provides that the credit may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Provides that, if the amount of the credit exceeds the taxpayer's liability for the taxable year, the excess credit may not be carried forward or back and shall not be refunded to the taxpayer. Exempts the credit from the Act's automatic sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Reenacts and changes provisions of the Premises Liability Act that were added by Public Act 89-7, which was held to be void in its entirety by the Illinois Supreme Court in Best v. Taylor Machine Works. Includes findings. The reenacted provisions describe the duty of reasonable care owed to invited entrants by an owner or occupier of premises, and provide that an owner or occupier of land owes no duty of care to an adult trespasser other than to refrain from willful and wanton conduct that would endanger the safety of a known trespasser from a condition of the property or an activity conducted on the property. Provides that the reenacted provisions apply to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date of reenactment.

Amends the Northern Illinois University Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning membership on the Board of Trustees.

Creates the Pension Funding and Fairness Act. Provides that the maximum annual percentage change in State fiscal year spending may not exceed the inflation adjustment factor plus the population adjustment factor. Provides that, in order to adopt an increase in State spending beyond that limit or an increase in State revenue, the measure must be approved by a three-fifths supermajority vote of each chamber of the General Assembly and must be approved by a majority of voters. Provides for the imposition of an emergency tax. Establishes the Past Due Paydown Fund, into which the Comptroller shall transfer any amount necessary up to the total past due operating debt owed by the State, and provides that the General Assembly may authorize transfers, appropriations, and allocations from the fund to fund only the costs of paying down the remaining past due debt. Requires any remaining funds to be transferred into the State Budget Stabilization Fund. Establishes the State Budget Stabilization Fund to fund the costs of State government up to the expenditure limit in years when State revenues are less than the amount necessary to finance expenditures. Limits the fund from exceeding 8% of the total General Fund revenues received in the immediately preceding fiscal year, and requires the transfer of any excess into the Taxpayer Relief Fund. Establishes the Taxpayer Relief Fund, and provides that, if the amount in that fund exceeds 1% of General Fund expenditures, then the General Assembly shall enact legislation to provide for the refund to taxpayers of amounts in the fund. Contains provisions concerning annual pension payments. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Citizens Utility Board Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning qualifications of the executive director.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Requires that a preference equal to 10% of the contract amount be granted to an otherwise qualified State contract bidder that is a qualified veteran. Defines a qualified veteran as a business entity 51% or more owned by one or more veterans. Sets as a goal that each fiscal year the State award at least 3% of the value of its total contracts to qualified veterans. Requires that the Department of Central Management Services report annually to the General Assembly on the attainment of the percentage goal, based on information reported by chief procurement officers. Requires chief procurement officers to make recommendations on the percentage goal, with input from statewide veterans' service organizations and the business community. Requires the Governor to recommend to the General Assembly changes in programs to assist qualified veterans.