Rep. Dan Reitz

Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Makes a stylistic change in provisions concerning the Director of Labor.

Creates the Illinois State Fair Foundation Act. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to create a not-for-profit corporation known as the Illinois State Fair Foundation. Provides for appointment of the Foundation's Board of Directors. Sets forth the purposes, duties, and powers of the Foundation. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules necessary to govern Foundation procedures. Provides for the disposition of funds collected by the Foundation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning defaulting on a loan.

Congratulates Richard L. Guebert Jr. on becoming Vice President of the Illinois Farm Bureau.

Amends the Animal Control Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning rabies inoculations.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the additional charge for commissary goods shall be up to 35% for tobacco products and 25% for non-tobacco products. Provides that the additional charge shall be based upon the amount necessary to cover wages and benefits of employees of commissaries who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Provides that 40% of the profits on sales from commissary stores shall be expended by the Department of Corrections for a special benefit of committed persons. Provides that the remainder must be used first to pay for wages and benefits of commissary employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and then to pay to costs of dietary staff. Prohibits the Department from entering into a contract with a private contractor or vendor to perform commissary services at a prison facility.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows certain retired teachers to remain in retirement status and continue to receive their retirement annuities while engaging in employment in a designated subject shortage area. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 to provide that health insurance benefits under the State and TRIP plans are suspended while the annuitant is covered as an active teacher. Amends the School Code to require regional superintendents of schools to certify school district compliance with certain requirements of the program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, unless some other speed restriction has been established under the Code, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for any vehicle is 65 miles per hour. Effective January 1, 2004.

Amends the State Employee Indemnification Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning reimbursements to former State employees.

Amends the State Parks Act. Provides that, notwithstanding provisions declaring it a violation to cut, break, injure, destroy, take, or remove any tree, shrub, timber, plant, or natural object in any park or parkway, the Department of Natural Resources may, by administrative rule, authorize edible fungi, nut, and berry collection in those areas of Department owned, leased, or managed lands where the collecting would not be in conflict or incompatible with (i) Department of Natural Resources natural resource management or recreational programs for that area and (ii) the Natural Areas Preservation Act. Effective immediately.