Rep. Roger L. Eddy

Amends the Alternate Fuels Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2009 and through June 30, 2013, the Secretary of State must notify each owner of a licensed motor vehicle that many motor vehicles are capable of using E85 blended fuel. Requires the notice (i) to be included on the motor vehicle sticker renewal form mailed to motor vehicle owners by the Secretary of State and (ii) to state that "E85 blended fuel reduces reliance on foreign oil and supports Illinois agriculture." Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Authorizes a school board (or other eligible entity) to hold school or schedule teachers' institutes, parent-teacher conferences, or staff development on certain school holidays if (1) the person or persons honored by the holiday are recognized through instructional activities conducted on that day or, if the day is not used for student attendance, on the first school day preceding or following that day; and (2) the school board or other entity first holds a public hearing about the proposal. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the School Code. With respect to a school board's power to levy a tax for the purpose of altering or reconstructing a school building or permanent, fixed equipment as a result of an order of an agency having authority to enforce a school building code or a law or regulation for the protection and safety of the environment, provides that, in the case of an emergency situation where the estimated cost to effectuate emergency repairs is less than the amount specified in the contract bidding provisions of the School Code, the school district may proceed with such repairs prior to approval by the State Superintendent of Education under certain conditions. Provides that if the estimated cost to effectuate emergency repairs is greater than the amount specified in the contract bidding provisions of the School Code, then the school district shall proceed in conformity with those provisions and with rules established by the State Board of Education to address such situations. Requires the rules to stipulate that emergency situations must be expedited and given priority consideration. 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 Dual Credit Quality Act. Requires the Illinois Community College Board and the Board of Higher Education to develop policies to permit multiple appropriate measures using differentiated assessment for granting eligibility for dual credit to students (a dual credit course being a college course taken by a high school student for credit at both the college and high school level). Sets forth provisions concerning policies to protect the academic standing of students who are not successful in dual credit courses, standards that institutions of higher learning must meet if offering dual credit courses, oversight and review of dual credit programs, and a statewide longitudinal data system to identify high school students who participate in dual credit courses and track their success in high school and postsecondary education.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the State aid formula.

Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Provides that a charter school shall comply with all provisions of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act; which is declaratory of existing law. Provides that "educational employer" under the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act includes the governing body of a charter school; which is declaratory of existing law.

Amends the School Code. Establishes the Illinois Hope and Opportunity Pathways through Education (IHOPE) Program to develop a comprehensive system in this State to re-enroll significant numbers of high school dropouts in programs that will enable them to earn their high school diploma. Requires the State Board of Education to implement and administer the IHOPE Program. Provides that the IHOPE Program shall award grants to educational service regions and the Chicago school district from appropriated funds to assist in establishing instructional programs and other services designed to re-enroll high school dropouts. Provides that the IHOPE Program shall provide incentive grant funds for regional offices of education and the Chicago school district to develop partnerships with school districts, public community colleges, and community groups to build comprehensive plans to re-enroll high school dropouts in their regions or districts. Sets forth requirements for programs funded through the IHOPE Program. Provides for an IHOPE Plan, sub-grants, how funding is distributed, State aid, categories of programming, the evaluation of programs, and rules. Effective July 1, 2009.

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.

Amends the Illinois Migrant Labor Camp Law. Provides that licenses shall be issued prior to operation (instead of upon a calendar year basis). Effective immediately.