Sen. Mike Jacobs

Creates the Sport Shooting Range Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the corporate authorities of a home rule municipality with less than 1,000,000 inhabitants, or the governing body of any taxing district located in whole or in part within a home rule municipality with less than 1,000,000 inhabitants, may abate all or a portion of the property taxes levied on each parcel of residential property that is owned by a person participating in a qualified low-income homeownership program. Effective immediately.

Creates the Police Department Promotion Act. Sets forth requirements for a promotion process to be administered by the proper appointing authorities for certain positions within State and local police departments. Provides that the Act does not apply to a police department operated by a municipality with a population of more than 1,000,000 or to a combined department that provides both police and firefighting services. Excludes certain positions, including positions that are covered by a collective bargaining agreement in effect on the effective date of the Act. Sets forth procedures for preparing preliminary, adjusted, and final promotion lists. Provides for monitoring of the promotion process. Contains other provisions. Preempts the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Amends the State Police Act, the Illinois Municipal Code, and the Counties Code to make corresponding changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning testing of disaster warning devices.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code and the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act. Provides that after the effective date all fiber-optic network conduit installed as new or replacement underground fiber-optic network conduit pursuant to specified provisions of the Illinois Highway Code must be marked with detectable underground warning tape that is able to be traced by inductive locating. Requires that the marking shall be a minimum of 6 inches and be buried as close to the ground surface as possible, or between 4 and 6 inches deep. Provides that the warning tape shall be American Public Works Association color-coded to match the type of utility line it is protecting.

Creates the Green Jobs Training Fund Act. Creates the Green Jobs Training Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury. Provides that the purpose of the Fund shall be to support the development and implementation of worker skills training and education programs in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. Authorizes the Director of Labor to use money from the Fund to establish 2 competitive grant programs: (i) an Energy Training Partnership Grant program, which would authorize the Director to award grants to eligible entities in order to produce economically self-sufficient program participants and a skilled workforce for eligible industries and (ii) a Pathways out of Poverty Grant program, which would authorize the Director to award grants to eligible entities that meet certain requirements. Limits grants made under either of these programs to $500,000 total over no more than 2 years. Requires the Department of Labor to report certain information to the General Assembly and Governor each year.

Amends the Hospital Services Trust Fund Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to appropriation, in addition to any other payments authorized under the Code, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse critical access hospitals for outpatient services at an amount that is no less than the cost of providing such services, based on Medicare cost principles.

Amends the Governor's Office of Management and Budget Act. Provides that, by January 1 of each year, the Office shall submit an economic and fiscal policy report to the General Assembly. The report must outline the long-term economic and fiscal policy objectives of the State, the economic and fiscal policy intentions for the upcoming fiscal year, and the economic and fiscal policy intentions for the following 2 fiscal years. The report must highlight the total level of revenue, expenditure, deficit or surplus, and debt with respect to each of the reporting categories. The report must be posted on the Office's Internet website and allow members of the public to post comments concerning the report. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Police and Chicago Police Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows police officers to establish creditable service for up to 2 years of military service before employment. Requires payment of employee and employer contributions, plus interest at the actuarially assumed rate. Effective immediately.