Sen. Michael W. Frerichs

Proposes to amend the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution. Authorizes a tax on or measured by income to be at a graduated rate (now, all taxes on or measured by income shall be at a non-graduated rate). Provides that, in any such tax imposed upon corporations, the rate shall not exceed the weighted average rate imposed on individuals by more than a ratio of 8 to 5. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Downstate Firefighters Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the 3 physicians' opinions required for a determination of disability need not agree as to the existence of any disability or the nature and extent of a disability. Provides that no physical or mental disability that constitutes the basis of an application for benefits may be used by any municipality or fire protection district employing firefighters, emergency medical technicians, or paramedics as cause for discharge. Provides that the Board of Trustees' finding that a particular applicant is not or is no longer disabled shall constitute a conclusive presumption binding on the employing unit that the firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic is able to perform his or her job and the employing entity may not use any conflicting medical opinion to provide the basis of denying return to employment by the firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic. Requires the firefighter to report to the marshall or chief of the fire department, who shall order reinstatement into active service at the same rank or grade held on the date the firefighter had occupied before applying for disability pension. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Hunting Heritage Protection Act. Provides that land management decisions of the Department of Natural Resources may not, to the extent practical, result in any net loss of habitat (now, land acreage) available for hunting opportunities. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Classifies community college districts as units of local government that must adopt resolutions regulating the political activities and the solicitation and acceptance of gifts by their officials and employees (now, classified as State agencies subject to the entire Act's regulation and enforcement by the Executive Ethics Commission and the Governor's Executive Inspector General). Effective immediately.

Amends the Land Trust Beneficial Interest Disclosure Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning disclosure in applications.

Amends the Veterans Preference Act. Increases the fine for a violation of the Act to a minimum of $75 (instead of $25) and a maximum of $300 (instead of $100). Effective immediately.

Creates the Agency Energy Efficiency Act. Provides that all executive branch State agencies shall strive to reduce energy use in State facilities by 10% within 10 years after the effective date of this Act. Provides that State agencies shall work with the Department of Central Management Services in achieving the goal. Sets out duties of the Department. Provides that all requests for new construction or renovation to State facilities shall implement design criteria that exceeds contemporary standards for energy efficiency. Sets out duties of all executive branch State agencies under the Act. Provides that if the Department finds that implementation costs of the Act exceed energy savings, the Department shall request approval from the General Assembly to terminate implementation of the provisions under the Act.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. In provisions restricting the operation of certain electronically-powered four-wheeled motor vehicles and defining those vehicles as "neighborhood electric vehicles", provides that those restrictions also apply to certain gasoline-powered four-wheeled motor vehicle with an engine displacement under 1,200 cubic centimeters and changes the term to "neighborhood vehicles". Effective immediately.

Amends the Courses of Study - Special Instruction Article of the School Code. Provides that the curriculum in all State universities shall contain instruction in safety education for teachers (rather than an elective course of instruction in safety education for teachers, comprising at least 48 fifty-minute periods or the equivalent thereof) and that this instruction may be by specific courses in safety education or may be incorporated in existing subjects taught in the university. Effective immediately.

Amends the Police Training Institute Act. Provides that the training offered in the Police Training Institute shall be under the direction of the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (rather than the Division of University Extension Services of the University). Effective immediately.