Amends the School Code. Requires the State Superintendent of Education to develop recommendations for school districts for administering reading instruments to diagnose student reading development and comprehension. Provides that the State Superintendent shall adopt a list of reading instruments that a district may use to diagnose student reading development and comprehension; sets forth reading instrument requirements. Requires each district to administer, at the kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade levels, a reading instrument on the list adopted by the State Superintendent. Provides that a district shall notify the parent or guardian of each student in kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade who is determined, on the basis of the reading instrument results, to be at risk for dyslexia or other reading difficulties. Requires the district to implement an accelerated reading instruction program that provides reading instruction to and addresses the reading deficiencies of those students and to determine the form, content, and timing of that program.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Abuse of Adults with Disabilities Intervention Act. Requires the Office of Inspector General designated by the Department of Human Services to refer evidence of crimes against an adult with disabilities to the appropriate law enforcement agency immediately upon finding evidence of a crime (rather than according to Office of Inspector General policies). Provides that upon the death of an adult with disabilities where a complaint or report of alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation was made prior to the person's death, regardless of whether the complaint or report was substantiated or unsubstantiated and regardless of whether consent was given for an assessment, the Office of Inspector General shall immediately report the matter to the appropriate law enforcement agency and coroner or medical examiner. Provides that if a report of alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an adult with disabilities is made and it reasonably appears to the investigator that the adult with disabilities lacks the capacity to consent to necessary services, including an assessment, the Department shall seek the appointment of a guardian for the purpose of consenting to such services, together with an order for an evaluation of the eligible adult's physical, psychological, and medical condition and decisional capacity. Contains provisions concerning oral and written reports; training and education opportunities for investigators; service plans; reporting requirements regarding the death of an adult with disabilities; and the prohibition against employer retaliation for certain disclosures. Defines terms. Effective immediately.
Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that a copy of any documents, files, records, books, and papers created or used in connection with the Department of Children and Family Services' investigation of a child's death or serious life-threatening injury shall be included in the Department's investigation report.
Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Requires each university to submit to the Board of Higher Education, General Assembly, and Governor an annual report no later than June 30 of each year outlining any tuition increases for the upcoming academic year and listing the closure of academic programs and other cost-saving measures undertaken by the university during the previous fiscal year. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to publicize the reports on its Internet website and to provide an opportunity for public comment on the reports at one of its regularly scheduled Board meetings. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. With respect to fiscal year appropriations, requires the General Assembly to take into account (i) whether the previous fiscal year's revenues were sufficient to pay for all obligations incurred during that fiscal year or whether those obligations were shifted to future years and (ii) whether revenues for the budgeted fiscal year can be reasonably projected to meet appropriations for the budgeted fiscal year. For each budgeted fiscal year, requires the General Assembly, by the same joint resolution adopted by record vote, to declare that the budget is balanced.
Amends the Election Code. Permits the dissolution of the board of election commissioners of a municipality with a population of less than 30,000 and the transfer of its authority and duties to the local election authority of the county in which the municipality is located, by referendum initiated by the registered voters of that county. Effective immediately.
Amends the Recreational Use of Land and Water Areas Act. Provides that an owner that is a not-for-profit organization operating and remaining in good standing under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code which makes its land (except for residential buildings) available for entry by the general public for any activity undertaken for conservation, resource management, education, or outdoor recreational use may register with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in order that the owner may qualify for limited liability under this Act for the land used in that manner. Provides that the Department shall create a registration page on its website to collect the following information from any 501(c)(3) entity that wishes to register its property: (i) the name and address of the owner; (ii) the 501(c)(3) organization's tax identification number; (iii) the size, address, and property identification number of the property, and (iv) the county in which the property is located. Provides that a parcel of property is deemed registered once the information is submitted to the Department. Provides that once the property is registered, the 501(c)(3) owner qualifies for the Act's limited liability until either (i) the owner notifies the Department to remove the property from the list or (ii) the owner no longer has a possessory interest in the property. Makes changes to the definitions of "land", "owner", and "recreational or conservation purpose". Provides that the changes to the Act apply only to causes of action accruing on or after January 1, 2013. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Mourns the death of Vickie L. Niederhofer of Hoyleton.
Mourns the death of Illinois State Trooper Kyle W. Deatherage of Highland.
Congratulates the players and coaches of the Althoff Catholic High School Crusaders football team on an outstanding and memorable 2012 season.