Amends the School Code. Creates the Professional Teacher Standards Board consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor to administer the Article of the School Code governing the certification of teachers and other certificated school personnel and the approval of teacher and administrator preparation programs. Gives the Professional Teacher Standards Board all powers and duties currently exercised by the State Board of Education and the State Teacher Certification Board with respect to administration of the certification and program approval process, and abolishes the State Teacher Certification Board. Authorizes the Professional Teacher Standards Board to employ an Executive Director and such other staff members as are necessary to exercise its powers and duties and carry out its functions. Provides that a Standard Certificate may be renewed based on proof of professional development (instead of on proof of continuing education or professional development). Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2003.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Consumer Installment Loan Act. Provides that, during the 30-day period beginning with the date the loan is commenced, a short-term lender may not impose fees of more than 25% of the principal amount of a short-term or title-secured loan.
Amends the Nutrition Outreach and Public Education Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning legislative findings.
Amends the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that there is created in the Department a tourism authority to be known as the Illinois Tourism Authority. The Authority shall consist of 14 members appointed by the Governor representing the tourism industry and chosen to represent different regions of the State. Serving as ex-officio members of the Authority are the Director of the Department, the Director of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism, and the Lieutenant Governor. The members shall serve without compensation. Effective immediately.
Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in the Section concerning punitive damages in healing art and legal malpractice cases.
Amends the Transportation Article of the School Code. In a Section concerning a State loan program for first-time transportation costs, removes a provision that requires the State Superintendent of Education to subtract one-tenth of the amount of the loan from the amount due for the school district's transportation reimbursement claim each year until the loan is repaid. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Prohibits installation on a motor vehicle of a traffic control signal preemption device, a device that changes a traffic control signal to a green light or extends the duration of a green light. Prohibits unauthorized operation of the device. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a $1,000 fine in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed. Provides that the device may be installed on specified emergency vehicles, commuter buses, or snow removal vehicles. Specifies the conditions and circumstances under which a device installed on one of those vehicles may be operated. Provides that a manufacturer or retailer may not sell a device to any person or entity for any intended use other than operation as permitted under the provision. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $5,000 for each sale of each device, in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed. Effective immediately.
Amends the Mobile Home Local Services Tax Enforcement Act. In any tax sale proceeding in which the tax purchaser is a county acting as trustee for taxing districts, makes inapplicable the requirement that an order for the issuance of a tax certificate of title under the Act shall not be entered affecting the title to or interest in any mobile home in which a city, village, or incorporated town has an interest under the police and welfare power by advancements made from public funds, until the purchaser or assignee makes reimbursement to the city, village, or incorporated town of the money so advanced or the city, village, or town waives its lien on the mobile home for the money so advanced. Provides that the requirement that a person who has a certificate of purchase and obtains a court order directing the issuance of a tax certificate of title for a mobile home located on a lot in a manufactured home community must follow certain rules with respect to that community does not apply if that person is a county acting as trustee for taxing districts. Provides that these changes are declarative of existing law. Effective immediately.
Amends the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the caption only for a Section concerning a destination city program.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Adds a caption to a Section concerning the insurability of newborns.