Sen. Pamela J. Althoff

Mourns the death of Donald P. Kaiser of Woodstock.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a violation (rather than a second or subsequent violation) of operating a motor vehicle while using an electronic communication device is an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles, for which a person shall be fined a minimum (rather than maximum) of $75 for a first offense. Provides that provisions disallowing use of certain electronic communication devices does not include a driver of a commercial motor vehicle using the electronic communication device within the permitted scope of employment reading a message displayed on a permanently installed communication device designed for a commercial motor vehicle with a screen that does not exceed 10 inches tall by 10 inches wide in size. Removes the use of certain electronic communication devices allowed while driving. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the School Code. Provide that a school district is subject to and its school board must comply with any valid local government zoning ordinance or resolution that applies where the pertinent part of the school district is located. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Edward Pieroni of McHenry.

Amends the State Finance Act to create the Sales and Excise Tax Refund Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Department of Revenue to pay refunds under various tax Acts. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to provide that 0.18% of 80% of the net revenue realized for the preceding month from the 6.25% general rate on the selling price of tangible personal property shall be deposited each month into the Sales and Excise Tax Refund Fund. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Cigarette Machine Operators' Occupation Tax Act, the Cigarette Tax Act, the Cigarette Use Tax Act, the Coin-Operated Amusement Device and Redemption Machine Tax Act, the Messages Tax Act, the Gas Revenue Tax Act, the Public Utilities Revenue Act, the Water Company Invested Capital Tax Act, the Telecommunications Excise Tax Act, and the Liquor Control Act of 1934 to provide that refunds shall be made under those Acts from the Sales and Excise Tax Refund Fund (instead of from appropriations made available for that purpose). Effective July 1, 2016.

Mourns the death of Michael H. Cooney of Woodstock.

Amends the State Employee Indemnification Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Act's short title.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the research and development credit applies on a permanent basis. Provides that the credit may be carried forward for a period of 20 years (instead of 5 years). Increases the amount of the research and development credit by providing that the increase in qualifying expenditures shall be an increase over 50% (instead of 100%) of the average of the qualifying expenditures for each year in the base period. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that county contracts may be awarded as a sole source procurement unless an interested party submits a written request for a public hearing. Provides that contracts for professional or artistic services cannot be amended through use of sole source procurements if the result would increase in the amount paid under the contract of more than 5% of the initial award, or would extend the contract term beyond the time reasonably needed for a competitive procurement, not to exceed 2 months. Further provides for notice requirements and requires the county board to file a yearly report with the General Assembly concerning procurement contracts entered into. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Sharon Lynn Sales.