Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that a Representative District (for election of a member of the House of Representatives) need not be entirely within a single Senatorial District (for election of a member of the Senate, now referred to as a Legislative District). Provides that (i) the Senate redistricts Senatorial Districts by resolution adopted by a record vote of three-fifths of the members elected and (ii) the House of Representatives redistricts Representative Districts by resolution adopted by a record vote of three-fifths of the members elected (now, redistricting is by law). Eliminates the Legislative Redistricting Commission. Provides instead that if a Senatorial or Representative redistricting plan is not adopted by June 15 of the year following a federal decennial census year, then the State Board of Elections shall produce a redistricting plan using a computer program. Requires the State Board of Elections to designate its computer program by April 15. The computer program designated by the State Board of Elections must disregard specified data and must consider certain prioritized factors; the computer program shall otherwise produce districts in a random manner. Authorizes the House and Senate to designate different computer programs for their respective chambers; doing so requires adoption of a resolution by a three-fifths vote on or before June 15. Removes the requirement that actions concerning redistricting the House or Senate may be initiated only by the Attorney General. Increases the number of Representatives from 118 to 119. Proposes to amend the Constitutional Revision Article to make a change to conform nomenclature. Effective beginning with redistricting in 2011 and applies to members elected in 2012 and thereafter.
Sponsored bills
Proposes to amend Section 1 of Article X of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that a fundamental right (instead of goal) of the People of the State is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities. Provides that it is the paramount duty of the State to provide for a thorough and efficient system of high quality public education institutions and services and to guarantee equality of educational opportunity as a fundamental right of each citizen (instead of requiring the State to provide for an efficient system of high quality public education institutions and services). Provides that the State has the preponderant financial responsibility (instead of the primary responsibility) for financing the system of public education. Effective upon being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act.
Congratulates Mark Denman, Associate Superintendent of Schools for Danville, on being named the 2008 Administrator of the Year by the Illinois Association of Educational Office Professionals.
Congratulates the congregation of the Greater Shiloh Baptist Church in Danville on the occasion of the church's 100th anniversary.
Congratulates Deanna Witzel on the occasion of being named as the Danville 2008 AMBUCS First Citizen.
Congratulates Jacob Lane on the occasion of being inducted into the 2008 All-USA Community College Academic First Team by USA Today.
Congratulates Jeffrey Arnold on the occasion of being inducted into the 2008 All-USA Community College Academic First Team by USA Today.
Congratulates Penny Holycross of Westville on receiving the Women of Distinction award from the Champaign Regional Service Center of the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois.
Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law. Subject to appropriation, directs the Department to establish a statewide network of cord blood stem cell banks. Sets forth requirements and duties of donor banks. Creates an advisory committee to advise the Department concerning administration of the network. Effective immediately.
Congratulates Jim Anderson on the occasion of his retirement as President of First Midwest Bank in Danville.