Resolves that the Board of Higher Education shall study the feasibility of developing a 2-year budgeting cycle for public institutions of higher education.
Mourns the death of former Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Chancellor John C. Guyon.
Amend the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning in taxable year 2010, land that is used primarily as a vineyard is eligible for open space land valuation. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Prompt Payment Act. Removes a provision that requires vendors to initiate a written request for the payment of an interest penalty that is at least $5 but less than $50. Removes a provision that authorizes the Department of Central Management Services and the State Comptroller to adopt rules establishing when interest penalties of less than $5 may be claimed and paid. Effective July 1, 2009.
Amends the Currency Exchange Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.
Creates the Crossing of Railroad Right-of-way Act. Applies only to crossings of a railroad right-of-way that is owned by a land management company and not a registered rail carrier. Provides that public utilities that locate their facilities within the railroad right-of-way for a crossing shall pay the land management company a one-time standard crossing fee of $1,500 for each crossing. Provides special circumstances under which the standard crossing fee is not imposed. Provides that, if the parties cannot agree that special circumstances exist, the dispute shall be submitted to non-binding arbitration. Provides procedures for the non-binding arbitration and provides that, if the parties cannot resolve their dispute based on the arbitrator's recommendation within 30 days, either party may, upon the expiration of the 30-day period, give written notice to the other party of the commencement of a binding arbitration proceeding. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a fire department foreign fire insurance board in a municipality with fewer than 500,000 (now, 250,000) inhabitants shall have 7 trustees, including the fire chief and 6 members of the fire department (now, the board is established by ordinances of the corporate authorities). Provides for an annual election of board officers. Provides that the annual municipal audit shall include funds appropriated to the board and shall determine whether the funds have been expended by the board only for the maintenance, use, and benefit of the department. Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that in each fire protection district that has an organized fire department there shall be a foreign fire insurance board. Provides that the board shall have 7 trustees, including the fire chief and 6 members of the fire department. Provides that officers shall be elected annually. Authorizes the board to make rules. Provides that the treasurer must give a bond to the board. Provides that the board shall develop and maintain a list of items that are appropriate expenditures. Provides that the annual fire protection district audit shall include funds appropriated to the board and shall determine whether the funds have been expended by the board only for the maintenance, use, and benefit of the department. Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that the Department of Transportation may issue a hay harvesting permit authorizing the mowing and harvesting of hay on a specified right-of-way in this State. Provides that an owner or owner's designee has priority until July 30 of each year to receive a permit for the portion of right-of-way that is adjacent to the owner's land, and after July 30 of each year, a permit may be issued to an applicant that is not the owner of the land adjacent to the right-of-way for a maximum distance of 5 miles each year. Provides that the non-refundable application fee for every permit is $40, and all fees collected by the Department shall be deposited into the Road Fund. Provides for permit application requirements, including assumption of all liability for activities permitted by the Department and proof of liability insurance. Provides limitations on the use of the permit, cancellation procedures, and provides that the Department of Transportation may promulgate rules for the administration of the permit program. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that Veterans Day honors the victory in all wars of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines (now, United States Army, Navy, and Air Force). Effective immediately.
