ILLINOIS FIRST

The following four bills contain the provisions implementing the Illinois FIRST program, which is authorized to spend $12 billion in the next five years. The plan will borrow $4.3 billion in new bonding ($3.6 billion from General Obligation Bonds and $750 million from Build Illinois Bonds). Three billion of the $12 billion will come from federal matching grants (RTA and Department of Transportation funds). There is a local matching portion of the program of school construction ($1.1 billion local match). The local wastewater program is based on state loans.
SB 1018 - EPA - Brownfields Loans
Provides for the environmental provisions of Illinois FIRST, including Brownfields, water pollution, and other hazardous waste sites. P.A. 91-36; effective 6-15-99.

SB 1028 - Transportation - New Plates - Fees
Provides for license plate replating, road fund diversion caps at $50 million annually, RTA bonds, motor fuel tax transfers, and Illinois Vehicle Code fee increases, including the following: vehicle registration increase from $48 to $78; large truck registration increase of 25%; and vehicle title transfer increase from $13 to $65. Effective for 2001 registration year (applied for in 2000). P.A. 91-37; effective 7-1-99.

SB 1066 - Fund for Illinois' Future
Increases the tax on beer from 7 to 18.5 cents per gallon, and from 0.65 to 1.7 cents per bottle; on wine from 23 or 60 cents to 73 cents per gallon, and from 5 or 12 cents to 15 cents per bottle; and on liquor from $2.00 to $4.50 per gallon, and from 40 to 90 cents per bottle. Effective July 1, 1999. P.A. 91-38; effective 6-15-99.

SB 1203 - GO Bond Increases
Increases the bond authorization for various capital facilities and changes other provisions concerning bond sales, publication requirements and refunding. P.A. 91-39; effective 6-15-99.