Creates the Prescribed Burning Act. Allows for the prescribed burning of certain land under specified circumstances when approved by a certified prescribed burn manager. Provides that no property owner or his agent, conducting a prescribed burn pursuant to the requirements of the Act, shall be liable for damage or injury caused by fire or resulting smoke, unless gross negligence is proven or unless conducted without the approval of a prescribed burn manager. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with the Office of the State Fire Marshall, shall promulgate rules to implement the Act. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed as requiring certification as a prescribed burn manager to conduct prescribed burning on one's own property or on the lands of another with the landowner's permission. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that the Department on Aging shall establish a program to ensure the availability of congregate or home-delivered meals in communities with populations of under 5,000 that are not located within large urban counties. Sets forth the requirements for the program. Requires the Department to file a report with the General Assembly and the Illinois Council on Aging by January 1 of each year. Effective immediately.
Amends the Southern Illinois University Management Act. Provides that the Illinois Ethanol Research Advisory Board shall establish and operate, subject to specific appropriation for the purpose of providing facility operating funds, the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville as a State Biorefining Center of Excellence. Sets forth the purposes and goals of the Center.
Amends the Livestock Management Facilities Act. Provides that solid livestock waste stacking structures shall be sized to store not less than the amount of waste generated during 3 months of facility operation at design capacity (now 6 months).
Amends the Energy Assistance Act. Changes the repeal date of provisions creating the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2013. Effective immediately.
Mourns the death of Ronald E. Ghidina of Peoria.
Mourns the death of William Patterson of Canton.
Mourns the death of Mildred Arends of Peoria.
Mourns the death of Les Carl of Canton.
Amends the State Treasurer Act. Removes the requirement that the State Treasurer adjust each account at least annually to ensure compliance with the requirements of the College Savings Pool. Provides that the Treasurer shall limit the contributions that may be made on behalf of a designated College Savings Pool beneficiary based on the limitations established by the Internal Revenue Service (now, based on an actuarial estimate of what is required to pay tuition, fees, and room and board for 5 undergraduate years at the highest cost eligible educational institution). Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2007, distributions from certain qualified tuition programs under the Internal Revenue Code that are administered by other states are exempt from the requirement that a distribution from an Internal Revenue Code qualified tuition program be included when determining adjusted gross income for purposes of determining base income. Requires taxpayers to add to their base income an amount equal to the amount previously deducted for deposits into a qualified tuition program if the moneys are transferred from a qualified tuition program that is administered by the State to an out-of-state program. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.