Sen. Michael W. Frerichs

Mourns the death of J. Gordon Hannagan of Gifford.

Mourns the death of Brenda Mae Bostic of Danville.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. In provisions setting forth criminal penalties for failure to file a return and for filing a fraudulent return, provides that: (i) when the amount due is under $300, the person is guilty of a Class 4 felony; (ii) when the amount due is at least $300 but less than $1,000, the person is guilty of a Class 3 felony; and (iii) when the amount due is at least $1,000, the person is guilty of a Class 2 felony. Creates the offense of tax evasion. Provides that a person commits the offense of tax evasion when he knowingly attempts in any manner to evade or defeat the tax imposed on him or on any other person, or the payment thereof and he commits an affirmative act in furtherance of the evasion. Provides that two or more acts of tax evasion may be charged as a single count in any indictment, information, or complaint and the amount of tax deficiency may be aggregated for purposes of determining the amount of tax which is attempted to be or is evaded and the period between the first and last acts may be alleged as the date of the offense. Sets forth criminal penalties for the offense of tax evasion.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a Section concerning accident counseling shall apply to Class I and Class II (instead of only Class I) rail carriers. Provides that each Class I and Class II rail carrier must review and update its accident counseling or trauma program filing on an annual basis. Provides that programs may be filed either by mail or electronically via an email address designated by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Effective immediately.

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.

Creates the Benefit Corporation Act. Provides that a corporation may elect to become a benefit corporation by amending its articles of incorporation. Provides that in addition to its purposes under the Business Corporation Act of 1983 and any specific purpose set forth in its articles of incorporation, a benefit corporation shall have a purpose of creating general public benefit. Requires the preparation of an annual report for specified distribution and filing with the Secretary of State. Defines key terms and contains provisions concerning accountability and transparency.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department shall cause to be established an easily accessible online database for the purpose of compiling research expertise, intellectual property, and ongoing sponsored research projects at academic institutions across the State.

Amends the School Code. Provides that as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade in the 2012-2013 school year or a subsequent school year must successfully complete 4 (instead of 3) years of mathematics. Effective immediately.

Creates the Area Career and Technical Education and Vocational Centers Task Force.

Mourns the death of Beatrice Freese of Royal.