Amends the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act. Provides that unclaimed property payable or distributable in the course of a demutualization of an insurance company is presumed abandoned 5 years after the earlier of the date of last contact with the policyholder or the date the property became payable or distributable. Provides for an exemption from the Act for gift certificates and gift cards that contain an expiration date or expiration period issued by a nonprofit organization as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Provides that a holder or any party with information about the owner is prohibited from charging a fee or service charge to an owner in order to prevent abandonment from being presumed. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Telecommunications Article of the Public Utilities Act. Provides that only telecommunications carriers providing local exchange service (rather than all carriers) must notify their end-user customers (rather than all customers) regarding contributions to fund the Program to Foster Elimination of the Digital Divide. Provides that notice need not be given to cell phone customers.
Amends the Public Utilities Act in relation to the regulation of telecommunications carriers. Makes a technical change in a Section relating to tariff filings.
Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Requires the Director of Aging, in coordination with the Director of Public Aid and the Director of Public Health, to analyze the distribution of housing, health services, and supportive services for seniors in each geographic area of the State and to identify and designate critical access service areas. Provides that, at the end of each State fiscal year, any unspent and unencumbered General Revenue Fund appropriations for long-term care for seniors shall be deposited into the Alternative Long-Term Care Services for Seniors Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used to fund specified alternative long-term care services with priority given to the distribution of funds for services in critical access service areas. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Alternative Long-Term Care Services for Seniors Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act with respect to the earned income tax credit. Extends the 5% credit through taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2004 (now, ends with taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2002). Increases the credit from 5% of the federal credit to 10% in 2005, 15% in 2006, and 20% in 2007 and thereafter. Beginning in 2005, requires the excess credit to be refunded to the taxpayer, but not counted in determining eligibility for means-tested benefits. Deletes the repeal of the credit. Exempts the credit from the sunset provisions of the Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that an objector to proposed annexation may file a petition objecting to the annexation if the objector does not desire annexation and if the exclusion of all or a specifically described portion of the objector's land will not destroy the contiguity of the territory that is proposed to be annexed, provided that the objector may also or instead propose the annexation of other territory owned by the objector in order to maintain contiguity. Provides that the court hearing an objection to an annexation petition based on this new ground, upon finding the objection is valid, may order the petition to be amended to alter the boundaries of the territory to be annexed in accordance with those provisions. Effective immediately.
Amends the Deposit of State Moneys Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning interest on deposits.
Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Office of the State Treasurer. Effective July 1, 2004.
Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority may not permit the erection of, on property owned, rented, leased, or controlled by the Authority, any billboard or other sign that contains an advertisement on behalf of any private person or entity.
Amends the Election Code. Requires the State Board of Elections to produce an Internet voters' guide before each general election containing (i) information as to statewide and certain other offices to be filled at the election, (ii) information on candidates for those offices, (iii) public questions to appear on the ballot, and (iv) voting information. Permits candidates to submit photographs and personal statements for inclusion in the guide upon payment of specified fees. Sets standards for photographs and statements. Permits the Board to issue a similar guide in print format. Requires that any printed guide be mailed to each household in the State. Authorizes local election authorities to produce or to arrange with the Board for production of local inserts into the printed guide to contain information on local candidates, questions, and voting. Authorizes the Board to charge fees for local inserts and to assess a fine of up to $1,000 for the unauthorized submission of a candidate photograph or statement.