Sen. Jil Tracy

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that an individual who for the purpose of obtaining benefits fails to notify the Department of Employment Security when he or she quits, is discharged from work, or refuses work, or fails to look for work when required to do so, and reports to the Department that he or she searched for work, and thereby obtains any sum as benefits for which he or she is not eligible has committed unemployment insurance fraud. Provides that when any law enforcement official or the Department requests information from an employer or any other person for the purpose of detecting, prosecuting, or preventing unemployment insurance fraud, then the employer or other person shall take all reasonable actions to promptly provide the information requested, subject to any legal privilege protecting the information. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall prescribe rules and regulations for revoking good conduct credit awarded for meritorious service. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Removes a provision limiting the net loss carryover deduction to $100,000 for any taxable year ending on or after December 31, 2012 and prior to December 31, 2014. Provides that, for any taxable year ending on or after December 31, 2012, such a loss is allowed as a carryback to each of the 2 taxable years preceding the taxable year of the loss and is allowed as a net operating loss carryover to each of the 20 taxable years following the taxable year of the loss. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Deletes language providing that an action may be commenced in any county if all defendants are nonresidents of the State, and replaces it with language providing that if no defendants that are joined in good faith and with probable cause for the purpose of obtaining a judgment against them are residents of the State, an action may be commenced only in the county in which the transaction or some part thereof occurred out of which the cause of action arose. Makes various changes in provisions defining the residence of certain corporations, voluntary unincorporated associations, and partnerships. Deletes language providing that actions against an insurance company incorporated under the laws of this State or doing business in this State may be brought in any county in which the plaintiff or one of the plaintiffs resides. Provides that if no defendants are residents of this State, and the transaction, or some part thereof, out of which the cause of action arose did not occur in this State, the action must be dismissed for lack of proper venue. Makes changes in relation to motions claiming improper venue. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act apply to actions filed on or after its effective date. Effective immediately.

Amends the Smoke Free Illinois Act and the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act to exempt from certain prohibitions against discrimination any employer that, as its primary purposes or objectives, provides medical or hospital treatment to patients who have a cancerous condition.

Congratulates James E. Mentesti on his retirement.

Congratulates James E. Mentesti on his retirement.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, on or after July 1, 2012 and on or before December 31, 2018, the taxes imposed under the Acts apply to (i) 90% of the proceeds of sales of gasohol, (ii) 80% of the proceeds of sales of E20 blended ethanol fuel, and (iii) 60% of the proceeds of sales of E30 blended ethanol fuel. Provides that an exemption for majority blended ethanol fuel applies through December 31, 2018 (instead of December 31, 2013). Amends the Illinois Renewable Fuels Development Program Act. Provides that grants may be awarded for the following programs: a next generation renewable fuels program, a majority blended ethanol and blender pump infrastructure program, and a research and development program for sustainable corn production and corn-based renewable fuel production. Sets forth the maximum aggregate amount of grants that may be awarded under each program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that in determining "net income", the total of all income from all sources is not reduced by the total income premiums for life insurance ordered by the court to reasonably secure payment of support for non-minor children and educational expenses, terms agreed to by the parties, or payment of maintenance (through existing or new life insurance). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall issue Gold Star license plates to all siblings of a person who has lost his or her life while serving in the Armed Forces (instead of to only one surviving sibling in the absence of a surviving parent).