Appropriates $3,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to Southern Illinois University for renovation of the Boardview Hotel building for a hospitality training center. Effective July 1, 2003.
Appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Transportation for grants to the City of Centreville for street repair and construction. Effective July 1, 2003.
Creates the Illinois Africa-America Peace Brigade Act. Provides that qualified citizens of the State may be enrolled in the Illinois Africa-America Peace Brigade for service in African nations and in urban inner-city schools in this State. Sets the terms and conditions of the volunteers' service. Allows the Director of the Illinois Africa-America Peace Brigade to provide training to volunteers and applicants for enrollment as volunteers. Requires the approval of the United States' Secretary of State for the programs and activities of the Peace Brigade in foreign nations. Creates the Illinois Africa-America Peace Brigade Advisory Council. Provides for the appointment of members to the Council by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Provides that the Council shall review the programs and activities of the Peace Brigade and shall make recommendations to the Governor and the Director. Requires the Governor to report to the General Assembly on the programs and activities of the Peace Brigade. Contains other provisions. Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to create the Illinois Africa-America Peace Brigade. Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to allow the Department of State Police to conduct background checks of applicants for enrollment as volunteers in the Illinois Africa-America Peace Brigade.
Creates the Welfare to Work Act, which places qualified welfare recipients in State jobs or jobs contracted out by the State. Provides that a State agency shall provide the Department of Human Services with a job announcement simultaneously with posting its positions or putting a position out for hire by contract, except for those positions subject to recall by laid-off employees, or those otherwise exempt. Requires the department to review positions, make eligibility determinations, recruit and screen potential employees, and refer aid recipients to apply for positions listed in job announcements. Requires employers to make all employment decisions based on merit, with not less than 5% of the hours worked on a State contract meeting certain specifications being worked by qualified aid recipients, with some exceptions. Requires that employment terms and conditions be the same as for any other member of the employer's workforce doing the same or similar work. Provides for reports regarding hiring practices under this Act to be submitted to the General Assembly, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Human Services. Amends the Personnel Code and the Illinois Procurement Code to make changes in conformance with the Welfare to Work Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the Economic Development Area Tax Increment Allocation Act. Makes a stylistic change in the short title Section.
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.
Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Public Community College Act to require the Illinois Community College Board to establish a new community college district to be comprised of the territory of the former Metropolitan Community College District No. 541 and to be known as Gateway Community College. Provides that the Board may not abolish, restrict, or take over the operation of Gateway Community College without first notifying the General Assembly and receiving permission from the General Assembly for the action. Requires the Board (i) to provide financial and technical assistance to Gateway Community College in becoming established, (ii) to transfer to Gateway Community College all documents, equipment, and books and any other personal property that was in the possession of or owned by the former Metropolitan Community College District No. 541 at the time that it was abolished, and (iii) to convey to Gateway Community College the real estate and improvements that comprised the campus of former Metropolitan Community College District No. 541 at the time that it was abolished.
Appropriates $500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to the Old Man River Anticipatory Design Center. Effective July 1, 2004.
Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Adds a provision concerning supportive housing (contains only a Section caption).
