Sen. Jil Tracy

Designates February 26, 2008 as Cargill Day in the State of Illinois.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that, if a person is currently serving on active-duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or Reserves and has a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card, or the equivalent from another state, then there is no fee for a hunting license. Requires verification of active-duty service.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that, if none of the parties joined in good faith as defendants in a civil case are residents of this State, an action against those defendants may be commenced in the State only in the county in which the transaction out of which the cause of action arose, or some part of that transaction, occurred. Provides that a corporation organized under the laws of or authorized to do business in this State is a resident only of any county in which it has its registered office or other office (rather than being a resident of any county in which it does business). Makes similar changes regarding partnerships and voluntary unincorporated associations. Deletes language providing that an insurance company incorporated under the laws of, or doing business in this State may be sued in any county in which the plaintiff or one of the plaintiffs reside. Provides that, if none of the defendants in a civil action are residents of this State, and no part of the transaction out of which the action arose occurred in this State, the action must be dismissed for lack of proper venue. Makes other changes. Provides that the changes apply to causes of action filed on or after the effective date of the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act. Provides for appropriation of $13,000,000 on a continuing annual basis from the General Revenue Fund to the State Comptroller for deposit into the Teacher Health Insurance Security Fund in State fiscal years 2009 through 2011. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $250,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Agriculture for grants through the Anhydrous Ammonia Security Grant Program. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the State Finance Act. Decreases the total amount of Road Fund appropriations to the Secretary of State for Fiscal Years 2009 through 2011. Beginning with fiscal year 2009, prohibits Road Fund moneys from being appropriated to the Department of Central Management Services, the Department of Employment Security, the Department of Revenue, the Court of Claims, or any other State agency (other than the Department of State Police and the Department of Transportation and, until fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of State) for the purposes of the provisions concerning appropriations from the Road Fund. Provides that beginning with fiscal year 2011, no Road Fund moneys may be appropriated to the Secretary of State. Provides that appropriations to those entities for those purposes shall be made from the General Revenue Fund. Provides that the Department of State Police may continue to receive appropriations from the Road Fund for the highway patrol budget only. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit through taxable years ending before December 31, 2013 to taxpayers who, during the taxable year, pay wages to one or more net new employees. Sets the amount of the credit at 50% of the amount of Illinois income taxes withheld by the taxpayer with respect to a net new employee, except that, for taxable years ending before December 31, 2011, the credit is 75% of the amount of Illinois income taxes withheld if the taxpayer provides health and retirement benefits to that employee. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Defines "net new employees" as the number of Illinois-based employees on the taxpayer's withholding rolls on the last day of the current taxable year less the number of Illinois-based employees on the taxpayer's withholding rolls on December 31, 2006. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Creates the offense of copper burglary. Provides that a person commits copper burglary when, without the consent of the owner, he or she knowingly enters or remains upon any premises, easement, or right-of-way with intent to steal or remove, or aid or assist in stealing or removing, any copper or copper alloy, including without limitation any wire, cable, rod, or tubing. Provides that copper burglary is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, a Class 4 felony for a second offense, and a Class 3 felony for a third or subsequent offense. Effective immediately.

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

Appropriates $25,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Agriculture for the Illinois AgriFIRST Program. Effective July 1, 2007.