Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that in the counties outside of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for a second division vehicle designed or used for the carrying of a gross weight of 8,001 pounds or more is 65 miles per hour on any interstate highway (rather than 55). Provides that busses may travel at 55 miles per hour (rather than 60) on all highways, roads, or streets not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation or the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. Provides that a house car, camper, private living coach, vehicles licensed as recreational vehicles, and any vehicle towing any other vehicle may travel at a speed of 65 miles per hour (rather than 55) in certain circumstances. Effective January 1, 2010.
Sponsored bills
Amends the School Code and the Counties Code. Provides that it is a State's Attorney's duty to notify the State Superintendent of Education and others upon the conviction of any individual known to possess a certificate issued under the School Code of any of certain offenses or any other felony conviction. In the criminal history records check provisions of the School Code, makes changes concerning the offenses for which a school board may not knowingly employ a person. Provides that no one may be certified to teach or supervise in the public schools who has been convicted of certain offenses (instead of providing that in determining good character, any felony conviction of an applicant may be taken into consideration, but such a conviction shall not operate as a bar to registration). In provisions concerning suspension or revocation of a certificate, provides that the State Superintendent of Education has the exclusive authority to initiate the suspension of up to 5 calendar years or revocation of any certificate (instead of providing that a certificate may be suspended for a period not to exceed one calendar year by the regional superintendent of schools or for a period not to exceed 5 calendar years by the State Superintendent). With respect to certificate suspension and revocation, makes changes concerning an investigation, notice, a hearing, an appeal, and the offenses that are grounds for suspension and revocation. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2009.
Creates the Renewable Fuels Commission Act to investigate and recommend strategies that the Governor and the General Assembly may implement to promote the use of alternative fuels and encourage the use of vehicles that utilize alternative fuels. Provides that the Commission shall also identify mechanisms that promote research into alternative fuels as well as effective communication and coordination of efforts between this State and local governments, private industry, and institutes of higher education concerning the investigation, research into, and promotion of alternative fuels. Specifies the Commission's membership. Requires the Commission to issue written reports on its investigations and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor. Provides for the repeal of this Act on January 1, 2015. Effective immediately.
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act and the Illinois Income Tax Act. Authorizes the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to establish systems and programs to encourage employers to match employee contributions to prepaid programs of college savings by making donations to the Commission for prepaid programs of college savings and its programs of grants and loans to make higher education affordable for all residents of the State and to receive, hold, and disburse all such funds made available through those programs for the purposes for which they are authorized by rule or by law. Creates an income tax credit for employers who, during the taxable year, make a matching donation on behalf of an employee. Provides that the credit is 25% of the matching donation, but not to exceed $500 per employee. Provides that the credit may be carried forward for 3 taxable years. Effective immediately.
Creates the Veterinary Student Loan Repayment Program Act. Establishes the Veterinary Student Loan Repayment Program to be administered through the University of Illinois. Requires a loan recipient under the Program to enter into a program agreement under which he or she agrees to practice in (i) veterinary practice that is at least 51% devoted to large animal medicine that enhances agricultural animal health and productivity or (ii) regulatory veterinary medicine that supports public health and safety, livestock biosecurity, or food animal disease diagnosis for at least one year for each year in which he or she received a loan. Sets forth penalties for failure to satisfy a program agreement. Requires payments received by the University to be deposited with the University to support the Program. Provides that the University may not enter into any program agreement after July 1, 2019. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Creates the Innovation, Intervention, and Restructuring Task Force for the purpose of developing strategies to allow for the innovation, intervention, and restructuring of schools, including those that need comprehensive or focused intervention. Requires the task force to submit its strategies for allowing intervention and innovation, in the form of recommendations, in a comprehensive report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the State Superintendent of Education not later than December 31, 2009. Effective immediately.
Creates the War on Terrorism Compensation Act. Provides that every person who has served on active duty with the armed forces of the United States on or after September 11, 2001 and prior to such time as Congress declares such persons ineligible for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal or the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is entitled to receive compensation of $100 for such service if he or she had been a resident of the State of Illinois for at least 12 months immediately preceding the time he or she entered such service and meets certain other requirements. Provides that no payment may be made to any person who, though in such service: did civilian work at civilian pay; did not serve at least 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days outside the United States or its territories; or has received from another state a bonus or compensation of like nature. Provides that applications for compensation must be made to the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. With respect to sick leave for teachers (other than in the Chicago school district), provides that a school board may require a certificate from a physician, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or spiritual adviser or practitioner as a basis for pay during leave after an absence of 30 days for birth. Provides that for paid sick leave for adoption or placement for adoption, the school board may require that the teacher or other employee provide evidence that the formal adoption process is underway, and such leave is limited to 30 days unless a longer leave has been negotiated with the exclusive bargaining representative. Imposes conditions on any rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.
Amends the Public University Energy Conservation Act. Provides that "energy conservation measure" includes construction of a new building or facility that is designed to reduce energy consumption or operating costs.
Designates the portion of U.S. Route 50, extending east between Salem and the Indiana border at Vincennes, as the George Rogers Clark Memorial Highway.