Sen. Matt Murphy

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision relating to employer contributions based on certain increases in teacher salary, changes the threshold increase from 6% to an amount based on the consumer price index. Exempts increases under collective bargaining agreements in effect on February 1, 2015. Effective immediately.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the General Assembly, State Employee, State Universities, Downstate Teachers, and Judges Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that beginning January 1, 2017, a person under one of those Articles who (i) has terminated service,(ii) is eligible to receive a retirement annuity, (iii) has not received a retirement annuity under that Article, and (iv) meets certain other eligibility requirements may elect to receive, in lieu of a retirement annuity, a lump sum accelerated pension benefit payment equal to 75% of the present value of the retirement annuity or may elect to receive a lump sum partial accelerated pension benefit payment in exchange for a specified reduction in his or her retirement annuity and all other benefits under the Article. Provides that a person may not elect a percentage reduction of retirement annuity that would result in a partial accelerated benefit payment of less than $50,000. Provides that if a person elects to receive a lump sum accelerated pension benefit payment in lieu of a retirement annuity, his or her credits and creditable service under that Article shall be terminated upon receipt of the accelerated pension benefit payment; except that the terminated service credit shall be used for the purposes of determining participation, benefits, or premiums under the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Contains provisions concerning return to service, rulemaking, qualified plan status, and new benefit increases. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 to make related changes. Effective immediately.

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 of the amendatory Act, 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 Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that counties and municipalities, including home rule units, may not impose taxes, fees, or other assessments on the use, sale, or purchase of firearms, firearm attachments, or firearm ammunition. Provides that counties and municipalities may impose specific use and occupation taxes on firearms, firearm attachments, and firearm ammunition, provided that the rate of tax imposed by the county or municipality on firearms may not exceed the maximum rate of tax imposed by the county or municipality on other items of tangible personal property. Provides that the provisions of any municipal or county ordinance adopted on or before the effective date of the amendatory Act that impose a tax, fee, or other assessment on the use, sale, or purchase of firearms, firearm attachments, or firearm ammunition in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of the amendatory Act are invalid, and any such existing ordinances, as they apply to firearms, firearm attachments, or firearm ammunition, are void. Preempts home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Reinstates the research and development credit for taxable years ending prior to January 1, 2018 (now, January 1, 2016). Increases the amount of the research and development credit from 6.5% to 8% of the qualifying expenditures for increasing research activities in this State for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2015. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning in taxable year 2015 and through taxable year 2017, 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 2014. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that if a bill or other legislative measure is sponsored or co-sponsored by a majority of the members elected to the chamber in which the bill or other legislative measure then resides, then that bill or other legislative measure must be referred by the appropriate committee of that chamber to a standing committee and a vote on that bill or other legislative measure must be taken by that standing committee within 6 session days or before any committee action or floor action deadline that has been imposed in that chamber, whichever is sooner.

Proposes to amend the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Constitution. Repeals a provision that specifies that membership in any pension or retirement system of the State, any unit of local government or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof shall be an enforceable contractual relationship, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired. Effective upon being declared adopted.