Sen. Dan Kotowski

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, to conduct a study describing the adverse environmental and human health impacts caused by runways and air traffic at airports in the State. Requires the Agency, when conducting this study, to pay particular attention to the impact of air pollution, noise pollution, the emission of gases and fluids by aircraft, and similar factors on the health of persons who live near airports in the State. Requires the Agency to deliver a written report of its findings to the General Assembly by no later than December 31, 2009. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Office of the Governor for its FY 11 ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2010.

Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that the Regional Transportation Authority may not issue, sell, or deliver any Working Cash Notes that will cause it to have more than $400,000,000 (now, $100,000,000) issued and outstanding at any time. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Sets forth disclosure requirements for any dog or cat made available for adoption or sale by an animal shelter, animal control facility, or pet shop operator, including adoptions or sales available over the internet. Sets forth certain requirements concerning an acknowledgement of disclosures form which must be signed by the customer or adopter and the pet shop operator or authorized representative of the animal shelter or animal control facility. Makes other changes. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that any person who knowingly violates the disclosure requirements for a pet shop operator who sells a dog or cat under the Animal Welfare Act commits an unlawful practice. Effective January 1, 2011.

Amends the Illinois Horse Meat Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that the Board of Trustees of Community College District No. 512 may establish and offer a pilot program under which the district may offer bachelor's degrees in 2 fields of study if certain conditions are met, including requiring (i) that the degree programs not compete with any nearby public university and the public universities in this State have the right of first refusal to offer the Bachelor of Applied Science Degree programs on the community college campus or a community college extension site, (ii) that the district identify and document unmet workforce needs, (iii) that the degree programs not require any additional funding from local taxes, the State, or the community college students not enrolled in the program, (iv) that the Board of Higher Education approve the offering of the degree programs, and (v) that the pilot program expire 4 years after the initial offering of the degree programs, unless otherwise extended by law. Prohibits Community College District No. 512 from becoming a primarily baccalaureate degree-granting, 4-year institution of higher learning. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act. Provides that the electors of any school district, public community college district, municipality, municipal corporation, or unit of local government may pass, ordinance, resolution, or by initiative petition and referendum, a binding ordinance adopting the provisions of the Act (at present, these entities may adopt the provisions of the Act by ordinance or resolution). Provides the requirements for filing a petition and hearing an objection to a petition.

Amends the Animal Control Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning rabies inoculations.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides for a deduction for individuals in an amount equal to the amount paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year to a public or private university, college, or community college in the State as tuition for the taxpayer's child if (i) the taxpayer has an adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less and (ii) the student maintains a grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for the entire taxable year. Exempts the deduction from the Act's sunset provision. Effective immediately.