Sen. Brian W. Stewart

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that a taxing district shall reduce its aggregate extension base for the purpose of lowering its limiting rate for future years upon referendum approval initiated by the submission of a petition by the voters of the district. Provides that the extension limitation shall be: (a) the lesser of 5% or the average percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the 10 years immediately preceding the levy year for which the extension limitation is being calculated; or (b) the rate of increase approved by the voters. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that an investigator for the Secretary of State may elect to establish eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity formula for up to 5 years of service as a person employed by a participating municipality to perform police duties under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article by filing a written election with the Board within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act and paying to the System an amount to be determined by the Board equal to (i) the difference between the amount of employee and employer contributions transferred to the System and the amounts that would have been contributed had such contributions been made at the rates applicable to State policemen, plus (ii) interest thereon at the actuarially assumed rate for each year, compounded annually, from the date of service to the date of payment. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the additional standard exemption for taxpayers who have attained the age of 65 before the end of the taxable year and spouses of such taxpayers is $2,000 for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2022 (currently, $1,000). Effective immediately.

Amends the Compensation Review Act. Provides that members of the General Assembly are prohibited from receiving and shall not receive any increase in compensation that would otherwise apply based on a cost of living adjustment for terms commencing on or after January 1, 2023, unless otherwise approved by law. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Division of Professional Regulation of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall waive all application fees and examination fees for active military personnel and their spouses. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act waives the requirement that the person or spouse meet all other licensing requirements, including other fees required during the licensing process.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a child care credit in an amount equal to 25% of the federal tax credit for each qualifying child. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a State policeman may elect to convert service credit earned under the Article to eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity formula by filing a written election with the Board and making a specified contribution. Provides that the conversion of service credit to eligible creditable service is not subject to provisions that limit the amount of eligible creditable service that may be established to 12 years. Provides that a State policeman may elect to establish eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity formula for up to 5 years of service as a person employed by a participating municipality to perform police duties under the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article, a county corrections officer, or a court services officer under the Cook County Article by filing a written application with the Board and making a specified contribution. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Effective immediately.

Creates the Fuel Gas Detector Act. Provides that a building owner shall install or cause to be installed at least one fuel gas detector in every room containing an appliance fueled by propane, natural gas, or any liquefied petroleum gas in each unit within specified buildings. Contains requirements for residential rental units occupied under the terms of a rental agreement or under a month-to-month tenancy. Provides that a person who, after January 1, 2023, acquires by sale or exchange a fraternity house, sorority house, or dormitory shall install fuel gas detectors in the acquired building if fuel gas detectors are not already present. Provides that a person who violates the Act commits a civil violation for which a civil penalty of not more than $500 for each violation may be adjudged. Provides that nothing in the Act gives rise to any action against an owner required to comply with the Act if the owner meets specified requirements. Provides that a person may not knowingly interfere with or make inoperative any fuel gas detector required by the Act except under specified circumstances. Contains other provisions. Effective January 1, 2023.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that certain food, drugs, and medical appliances that were taxed at the rate of 1% shall be exempt from the taxes under those Acts. Provides that certain amounts shall be transferred from the General Revenue Fund to certain local tax funds. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to 1% of the expenses claimed by the taxpayer as a federal income tax deduction pursuant to Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code for the tax year. Provides that the taxpayer may sell, assign, or transfer the credit. Provides that the maximum aggregate amount of credits awarded for those purposes may not exceed $45,000,000 in any calendar year. Amends the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act to provide that, if the amount of the credit is reduced because the claims for credit exceed the maximum aggregate amount of the credit, then no underpayment penalty or interest shall accrue on the additional tax so long as the additional tax is paid within 60 days after the notice of reduction. Effective immediately.