Sen. Mike Jacobs

Amends the Chicago Park District Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, beginning with the year 2013 and in each year thereafter, the Chicago Park District Board of Park Commissioners shall levy a tax annually upon all taxable property embraced in the district at a rate that will produce a sum that, when added to the amounts deducted from the salaries of the employees or otherwise contributed by them, and revenues from other sources, will equal a sum sufficient to meet the annual actuarial requirements of the pension fund, as determined by a qualified actuary retained by that fund.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning State reimbursement for transportation.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency, in certain rulemakings before the Illinois Pollution Control Board, to include a statement of reasons that (i) assesses the differences between the Agency's proposed rule and other state and federal laws and (ii) analyzes the need for and reasonableness of each difference. Effective immediately.

Amends the Cook County and Cook County Forest Preserve Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the multiplier for the years 2013 through 2015 is 2.25 and for the years 2016 through 2019 is 3.00. Provides that, beginning with the year 2020 and each year thereafter, the county and forest preserve district shall levy a tax annually upon all taxable property within the district at a rate that will produce a sum that, when added to the amounts deducted from the salaries of the employees or otherwise contributed by them and revenues from other sources, will equal a sum sufficient to meet the annual actuarial requirements of the pension fund as determined by a qualified actuary retained by the pension fund. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Cook County Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Deletes a prohibition on the use of county funds, other than those funds raised by the tax levied by the county under that Article, in order to make the required contribution by the county. Provides that, in lieu of levying all or a portion of the required tax in any year, the county may deposit with the county treasurer no later than March 1 of that year for the benefit of the Cook County Employees' and Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund an amount that, together with the levied tax for that year, is not less than the amount of the county's contribution for that year, as certified to the county board by the Board of Trustees of the Cook County Employees' and Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund. Authorizes the deposit to be derived from any source legally available for that purpose, including, but not limited to, the proceeds of county borrowings. Provides that such a deposit shall, to the extent of the amounts so deposited, satisfy the requirement to levy a tax for that year. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Petroleum Equipment Contractors Licensing Act. Provides that all complaints, other than complaints from licensees, concerning violations regarding licensees or unlicensed activity shall be received and logged by the State Fire Marshal. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, the credit allowed for increasing research activities in the State shall be in an amount equal to 10% (now, 6 1/2%) of qualifying expenditures. Deletes language providing that the credit shall be allowed only for taxable years ending prior to January 1, 2016. Provides that, if the amount of the credit exceeds the income tax liability for the applicable tax year, then the excess credit shall be refunded to the taxpayer. Provides that, in place of the credit for increasing research activities, a taxpayer may elect to claim a credit in an amount equal to 20% of the amount of the federal research credit allowed to the taxpayer for the taxable year multiplied by the State's apportioned share of the qualifying expenditures for increasing research activities for the taxable year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Capital Development Board Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title of the Act.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.