Sen. John O. Jones

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption, under which an exemption from the property's value is granted for residential property that is owned and occupied as a residence by a veteran for the tax year in which the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code and the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, during the months of November, December, January, February, and March, each public utility and municipal utility must insert winter energy conservation information with each billing statement. Requires each public utility and municipal utility to offer budget payment plans that allow customers to pay the same amount each month throughout the year. Preempts home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.

Designates the U.S. Route 50 Fox River Bridge, west of Olney, the Robert Ridgway Bridge.

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that the waiting period for withholding delivery of a firearm after application for its purchase has been made does not apply to the transfer of an operable firearm in exchange for another operable firearm. Effective immediately.

Directs the Department on Aging, in collaboration with the Departments of Children and Family Services, Public Aid, and Human Services and any other relevant agencies, to complete an assessment of existing State and federal assistance programs in relation to child care provided by grandparents for their grandchildren.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Invalidates local ordinances and resolutions that regulate firearms legal for hunting under the Wildlife Code inconsistently with the provisions of the Criminal Code of 1961. Preempts home rule. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. In provisions concerning the 5 State-funded retirement systems, deletes language specifying dollar amounts for the State contribution to each System required for FY 2007 and provides that State contributions to the systems for fiscal years 2007 through 2010 shall be increased in equal annual increments from the required State contributions in State fiscal year 2005 until the State is contributing at a rate that will result in the systems being 90% funded. Changes how certain calculations related to the required State contributions are made. Provides that the Board of Trustees of the retirement systems must re-certify, on or before July 1, 2006, the amount of the required State contribution for FY 2007, taking into account the changes made by this amendatory Act. In the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code, provides that increases as a result of certain early retirement incentives shall not be included in the calculation of the required State contribution under that Article, but shall be appropriated separately. Effective immediately.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Prohibits the docking of the tail of any member of the bovine species. Provides that "dock" means to remove any part of the animal's tail for any reason other than to amputate part of the tail due to an incurable injury or illness to the tail that threatens the animal's well-being, but does not include trimming the hair at the end of the tail. Provides that bovine tail docking is punishable in the same manner as animal torture.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that vehicles owned and operated by paid or unpaid members of a local or county emergency management services agency may use blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights. Provides that these lights may not be lighted except when responding to a bona fide emergency. Effective immediately.