McHenry Times

Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry) was beyond busy during Senate floor debate April 17, during which time she stood almost as long as she sat during the two-hour debate which saw the Senate approve six pieces of legislation she sponsored.

Passing six pieces of legislation, Althoff almost stood as long as she sat during the two-hour long debate to see all of her bills to success, putting forth SB2604 first.

Althoff said the first of her bills, SB2604, provides that the penalty for failure to pay the tax shown shall be reduced to 15 percent rather than 20 percent of any amount that is paid after the date the Department of Revenue has initiated an audit or investigation of a tax payer.

“It also provides that the penalty shall be completely abated if the taxpayer paid to the department at least 95 percent of the total liability,” Althoff said.

Althoff said her second bill, SB2615, is a consumer-friendly bill that allows Illinois mortgage companies to advertise their services using their nationwide mortgage licensing system's unique identifier instead of the words “Illinois Residential Licensed Mortgagee.”

Althoff then presented SB2618 that amends the Environmental Health Practitioners Act by making slight technical changes to the language. 

The next bill, SB2637, “is a simple bill that changes the date that the Department of Labor has to report and make available demographic trends in the state’s building trades apprenticeship program,” Althoff said, adding the measure had to be taken to allow for a 45-day grace period needed to provide the specific data to the department.

“It is tying the two together in a much tighter package,” Althoff said.

Althoff then brought out SB2852, an initiative of the Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (DFPR) that allows for compliance with both state and federal regulations surrounding the appraisal company industry.

“I know of no objection,” Althoff said.

Althoff then spoke to SB2853, another DFPR bill that amends the civil code of Illinois. Althoff said SB2853 mandates the department provide on its website the criminal history information in decisions regarding applications for enumerate offenses that bar licensure.

“I would be happy to answer any questions, otherwise I ask for an I vote,” Althoff said.

All six bills were approved by the Senate and moved to the House.