Sen. Pamela J. Althoff

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Requires the Department of Revenue to offer a special instant scratch-off game for the benefit of endangered species, to commence on January 1, 2007. Provides that the net revenue from the game shall be deposited into the Endangered Species Rehabilitation Fund for appropriation by the General Assembly solely to the Department of Natural Resources for making grants for the maintenance of wildlife rehabilitation facilities that take care of threatened or endangered species. Sets forth certain provisions for the operation of the scratch-off game. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Endangered Species Rehabilitation Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Real Property Conservation Rights Act. In provisions defining "conservation right", includes a right that is appropriate to preserving areas in their agricultural condition. Includes, among the purposes for which a conservation right in real property may be conveyed, the protection of agricultural land from conversion to other uses.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that the annual fees applicable to discharges under NPDES permits do not apply to (i) a unit of local government, (ii) a private sector contractor providing sewage treatment services or infrastructure under contract with the State, any department or agency of the State, a unit of local government, or a school district during the course of providing those services, or (iii) a not-for-profit organization. Effective July 1, 2005.

Amends the Property Tax Code and the School Code. Sets forth procedures for calculating certain adjustments and recomputations with respect to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law.

Amends the Business Assistance and Regulatory Reform Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the goals of the Act.

Amends the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, the amount equal to 1% of the amount of total net revenue realized from a tax on hotel operators gross receipts during the preceding month shall be deposited in the Local Planning Fund. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2005 as a lump sum from the Wildlife and Fish Fund to the Department of Natural Resources for the purposes of Personal Services, State Contributions to Social Security, State Contributions to State Employees' Retirement System, and Group Insurance.  Provides that these amounts must be expended to immediately reinstate the 89 employees laid off by the Department due to a budgetary shortfall. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that only scores on State assessments of students enrolled in a school on or before the last school day in September of the school year in which a State assessment is given shall be used in determining whether a school is placed on academic early warning status or academic watch status. 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 Municipal Code. Provides that the Secretary of State must certify the number of inhabitants to each municipality upon the certification of any municipal census. Effective immediately.