Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution concerning the passage of revenue bills. A bill that would result in the increase of revenue may become law only with the concurrence of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly. Proposes to amend the Finance Article of the Illinois Constitution concerning the State budget. Provides that the rate of growth in total State expenditures in any fiscal year over the prior fiscal year is limited to: (i) the percentage increase in the annual rate of increase, for the previous calendar year, of the Consumer Price Index; plus (ii) the rate of increase in the State's population for the same 12-month period. Requires the State to maintain a reserve fund equal to 3% of the enacted budget for the prior fiscal year. Effective on being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act.
Sponsored bills
Proposes to amend the Executive Article of the Illinois Constitution. Eliminates the Office of the Comptroller. Provides that the Treasurer shall (i) maintain the State's central fiscal accounts and order payments into and out of the funds held by him or her, (ii) be responsible for the safekeeping and investment of monies and securities deposited with him or her, and for their disbursement upon his or her order, and (iii) have the duties and powers that may be prescribed by law. Effective upon being declared adopted, and applies upon conclusion of the terms of the Comptroller and Treasurer elected in 2010.
Creates the Pension Funding and Fairness Act. Contains only a short title provision.
Amends a Section of the Environmental Protection Act involving Petroleum Underground Storage Tanks. Provides that site investigation completion reports must be made available, upon request, to any person with an ownership interest in a remediation site or the property on which the remediation site is located. Makes changes to the remediation process, including requiring public hearings, when remediation objectives have not been achieved within the specified time period. Provides that if all applicable remediation objectives have not been achieved at a site within 10 years after completion of the site investigation, the Agency, in collaboration with the Board, must hold a public hearing to determine whether the responsible owner or operator will either (i) pay the Agency to conduct the proper corrective action or (ii) purchase the site from the current site owner for the site's fair market value. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. 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, 2009. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that any forms or materials prepared for a person not represented by counsel shall contain a prominent notice stating that false information stated in a sworn petition for a protective order is subject to a perjury prosecution.
Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning penalty bids, provides that no bid shall be accepted for a penalty exceeding 6% (instead of 18%) of the amount of the tax or special assessment on property. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the long-time occupant homestead exemption, provides that the exemption applies regardless of whether or not the county has elected to be subject to the provisions of the alternative general homestead exemption. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Decreases the rate of tax on individuals and on trusts and estates from 3% to 2.85% in 2009, 2.7% in 2010, and 2.5% in 2011 and thereafter. Decreases the rate of tax on corporations from 4.8% to 4.56% in 2009, 4.32% in 2010, and 4% in 2011 and thereafter. Makes corresponding changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Election Code. Provides that a vacancy in the office of U.S. Senator shall be filled at a special election, rather than by temporary gubernatorial appointment, when the vacancy occurs more than one year before the next general election. Effective immediately.