Congratulates the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce on being awarded 5-star accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Commends the chamber for its continued service and dedication to its members.
Mourns the passing of Diane Bond of Decatur.
Mourns the death of Norman Grant Jr. of Georgetown.
Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that a specialized educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who is employed in a teaching position at an accredited institution of higher education in this State that has officially announced its intent to cease all academic programming at the time the announcement was officially made or was employed in a teaching position at an accredited institution of higher education in this State that has ceased all academic programming within 5 years prior to or on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and who, at the time of applying for the endorsement, meets specified criteria. Provides that the specialized educator endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the endorsement being issued and may be renewed. Provides that the holder of a specialized educator endorsement shall be permitted to teach in the content area in which he or she previously taught at the accredited institution of higher education. Effective immediately.
Creates the Ultrasound Opportunity Act. Sets forth legislative findings and definitions. Provides that at any facility where abortions are performed, the physician who is to perform the abortion, the referring physician, or another qualified person working in conjunction with either physician shall offer any woman seeking an abortion after 8 weeks of gestation an opportunity to receive and view an active ultrasound of her unborn child by someone qualified to perform ultrasounds at the facility, or at a facility listed in a listing of local ultrasound providers provided by the facility, prior to the woman having any part of an abortion performed or induced and prior to the administration of any anesthesia or medication in preparation for the abortion. Provides that the requirements of the Act shall not apply when, in the medical judgment of the physician performing or inducing the abortion, there exists a medical emergency. Contains a severability provision. Effective immediately.
Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Modifies factors used by a municipality to determine if an area is a blighted area or a conservation area to be included in the area of a redevelopment project area when establishing the area. Provides that a new redevelopment project area shall have a completion date no later than December 31st of the 20th year after the ordinance was adopted (rather than the 23rd year), and provides that the redevelopment project area may be extended, with the approval of each member of the joint review board, only 2 additional years (rather than extended to the 35th year and extended again to the 47th year). Provides that a municipality may not approve redevelopment project areas or expansions of redevelopment project areas that overlap with an existing redevelopment project area. Provides that 10% of moneys deposited into the special tax allocation fund shall be transferred to the local chamber of commerce or chambers of commerce representing the redevelopment project area for the chamber or chambers of commerce to use for grants to businesses that employee fewer than 50 full-time employees if the business moves within the redevelopment project area. Provides that moneys transferred to a chamber of commerce not used or pledged within one year of transfer of the moneys shall be returned to the municipality and are designated surplus funds of the redevelopment project area. Adds nonvoting members to joint review boards. Provides that, if a school district or community college district does not approve of the creation of a redevelopment project area, then the portion of the taxes attributable to the increase in the current equalized assessed valuation which would be payable to the nonconsenting district shall be paid to that district. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a child tax credit in an amount equal to the product of a specified credit amount multiplied by the number of qualifying children of the taxpayer. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for dependents of the taxpayer. Provides that the maximum amount of the credit is $700 per qualified dependent of the taxpayer. Provides that the maximum amount shall be reduced by $24 for each $1,000 by which the taxpayer's net income exceeds $75,000 in the case of a joint return or $50,000 in the case of any other form of return. Defines "qualified dependent". Effective immediately.
Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that, when selling surplus real estate of a fire protection district, the value of the surplus real estate shall be determined by a written MAI certified appraisal or by a written certified appraisal of a State certified or licensed real estate appraiser (currently, by only a written MAI certified appraisal conducted by a State certified or licensed real estate appraiser). Provides that, if a party fails to reimburse or make a payment to a fire protection district as required by the Act or the Hazardous Material Emergency Response Reimbursement Act, the fire protection district may institute a civil action to recover costs. Provides that, if the court determines that any violation of the Act has occurred, the court shall award to the prevailing fire protection district actual damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and court costs. Defines "prevailing fire protection district". Provides that the board of trustees of any fire protection district may provide for the planning and implementation of services necessary to prevent or respond to emergencies involving hazardous materials or both (rather than only to prevent or respond to emergencies involving hazardous materials). Provides that the board of trustees may fix, charge, and collect reasonable fees for hazardous material services provided by the district. Provides that the total amount collected may not exceed the reasonable cost of providing those hazardous material services. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits a fire protection district from seeking any remedy under the Hazardous Material Emergency Response Reimbursement Act. Provides that, in addition to other specified purposes in the Act, a fire protection district may accumulate funds for other purposes. Provides that the funds may be accumulated in any fund of the district. Amends the Hazardous Material Emergency Response Reimbursement Act. Provides that an emergency response agency that is a fire protection district or municipality may institute a civil action to recover costs, including labor costs and the costs of equipment and expendables, incurred in responding to an emergency incident. Provides that the fire protection district or municipality may recover attorney's fees and costs if the district or municipality is the prevailing party. Defines "prevailing party".
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a municipality may not establish a moratorium on the enforcement of an ordinance imposing residency requirements on employees. Provides that, if a municipality has imposed a moratorium before, on, or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the moratorium is void. Provides that nothing in the provisions prevents a municipality from repealing an ordinance imposing residency requirements on employees. Limits home rule powers.
