Amends the School Code. Requires a public school to develop, establish, and implement a new teacher induction and mentoring program to assist new teachers in developing the skills and strategies necessary for instructional excellence, provided that funding is made available by the State Board of Education from an appropriation made for this purpose. For each new teacher participating in a new teacher induction and mentoring program, requires the State Board of Education to pay the public school $1,200 annually for each of 2 school years, subject to appropriation. Provides that the State Board of Education may retain up to $1,000,000 of the appropriation for purposes related to new teacher induction and mentoring programs. Includes provisions concerning program requirements and the evaluation of programs.
Creates the Gender-Neutral Statutes Commission Act. Creates the Gender-Neutral Statutes Commission, to consist of one member appointed by each of the Legislative Leaders. Directs the Commission to study the fiscal impact and other consequences of undertaking a comprehensive effort to make the Illinois Compiled Statutes gender neutral. Directs the Commission to report its findings by January 15, 2004. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Provides that, for purposes of the Act, the term "minor" means an individual under the age of 18 years rather than an individual under the age of 17 years.
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that before the acceptance of a plea of guilty, guilty but mentally ill, or nolo contendere to a misdemeanor or felony offense, the court shall advise the defendant in open court that if the defendant is not a citizen of the United States conviction of the offense for which the defendant has been charged may have the consequences of deportation, exclusion from admission to the United States, or denial of naturalization under the laws of the United States.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that aggravated arson includes the arson of a school building when other elements of the offense are present. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Makes changes in the definitions of "affordable housing project" and "sponsor". Defines "project" to mean an affordable housing project, an employer-assisted affordable housing project, general operating support, or technical assistance. Defines "tax credit" as a tax credit allowed under Section 214 of the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a sponsor must apply to an administrative housing agency for approval of a project (now, must apply to the agency that administers the program). Provides that the agency must reserve a specific amount of tax credits for each approved project (now, must reserve the credits for each approved affordable housing project for 24 months after it is approved and the sponsor must receive an eligible donation within that time in order to receive the credit). Provides that tax credits for general operating support can only be reserved as part of a reservation of tax credits for another type of project. Allows tax credits only where an administrative housing agency has reserved tax credits for the project. Limits tax credits for general operating support to 10% of the total tax credit reservation for the related project (now, limited to 10% of the total tax credit allocation for the project). Allows an administrative housing agency to reserve tax credits for any approved projects if the agency is unable to reserve the tax credits set-aside for employer-assisted housing projects and general operating support. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that persons or entities not subject to the tax and who make a donation under the Illinois Housing Development Act are entitled to receive and to transfer a tax credit for affordable housing donations. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Antitrust Act. Provides that it is a violation of the Act to make a contract with or engage in any combination or conspiracy with, any purchaser from a person who purchases for resale, for the purpose of fixing, controlling, or maintaining the minimum price or rate charged for any commodity sold by the purchaser upon resale. Provides that it is a violation of the Act to contract with a person to unreasonably restrain trade or commerce by (i) participating in any act of boycott, coercion, intimidation or refusal to deal; (ii) participating in any allocation of customer or geographic markets as between a seller and a purchaser who purchases commodities from the seller for resale; (iii) entering into any arrangement as between a seller and a purchaser regarding the maximum price at which commodities are resold by the purchaser; or (iv) entering into any arrangement as between a seller and purchaser that the seller will sell a commodity or service only on condition that the buyer also purchase a different commodity or service where the restraint of trade occurs or is likely to occur in the market. Suspends the statute of limitations during the pendency of any complaint, information, or indictment filed by the United States and for one year thereafter. Raises the penalty to $1,000,000 (instead of $100,000) for a violation of the Act by a corporation and $100,000 (instead of $50,000) for a violation of the Act by every other person. Requires answers to interrogatories to be accompanied by a statement under oath attesting to the accuracy of the answers. Provides that the obligation to pay fees and mileage to witnesses does not apply to any officer, director, or person in the employ of any person, partnership, company, corporation, trust, or association whose conduct or practices are being investigated. Entitles any party brought to trial for violation of the Act, where criminal sanctions can be imposed or civil penalties or damages can be recovered, to a trial by jury. Makes other changes.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Code, if a school district adopts, in a fiscal year, an additional or supplemental budget as a result of the voters in the school district having voted in favor of an increase in the annual tax rate for educational or operations and maintenance purposes or both at an election held after the adoption of the annual school budget adopted in that fiscal year, the county clerk shall include, in the extension of taxes made during that fiscal year, the extension of taxes for the supplemental or additional budget adopted by the school district. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Applies the prevailing wage provisions to contracts for the following services: buildings and grounds, site technician, and natural resources. Removes the prohibition against considering State employee collective bargaining agreements when setting a prevailing wage rate.
Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides for notice to the parents and guardians of children before the application of pesticides to a child care facility. Effective January 1, 2004.
Amends the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act. Creates the Lead-Safe Housing Advisory Council to recommend standards for lead-safe housing and to otherwise assist the Department of Public Health in administering the Act.
Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes certain persons to purchase up to 2 years of service credit for certain military service not following employment. Requires payment of an amount representing both employee contributions and the employer's normal cost, plus interest. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
