Creates the Blind Vendors Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Blind Services, shall operate and promote the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth that the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act and the regulations adopted pursuant to that Act shall serve as the minimum standards for the operation of the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Provides that under the Program: (1) blind vendors have priority in the operation of all vending facilities on State property; (2) vending machine income from all vending machines on State property shall be assigned to the blind vendor on the property or to the Blind Vendors Trust Fund; (3) no State agency may impose any commission, service charge, rent, or utility charge on a blind vendor operating on State property; (4) sales made at a blind vendor's vending facility are exempt from all occupation and use taxes; and (5) State agencies may not allow competition with a blind vendor. Sets forth that the Bureau Director for the Bureau of the Blind and the Committee of Blind Vendors shall jointly develop regulations to ensure that priority is given to blind vendors in the operation of vending facilities on State property. Provides that the Department may provide for set-asides of the net proceeds of vending operations under certain conditions. Requires set-aside funds to be deposited in the Blind Vendors Trust Fund, a separate account managed by the Department for the State's blind vendors. Sets forth provisions for the distribution of vending machine income from vending machines on State property. Provides certain conditions for the licensing of blind vendors. Creates the Committee of Blind Vendors to jointly participate in the development and implementation of all policies, plans, and major decisions affecting the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth provisions for the composition of the Committee. Provides certain procedures for the resolution of disputes arising within the Program. Provides for the promulgation of regulations relating to the operation of this Act. Requires the Department to make regular surveys and reports on State property and vending facilities. Sets forth conditions and information to be contained in the surveys and reports. Preempts home rule powers. Repeals the Blind Persons Operating Vending Facilities Act. Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to provide that personal property purchased from a blind vendor's vending facility licensed by the Department of Human Services under the Blind Vendors Act is exempt from the taxes imposed by those Acts and that these exemptions are not subject to the sunset provisions of those Acts.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Illinois Workforce Investment Board Act. Provides that the Illinois Workforce Investment Board shall develop a method for measuring Illinois' progress in transitioning to a high-skill, high-wage, and high-productivity economy at the State, regional, and local levels. Sets forth that the Board shall develop a set of benchmarks that measure whether Illinois is developing a globally competitive workforce that is aligned with the needs of the current and emerging economy. Requires the Board to report annually on Illinois' progress on each of the benchmarks and that the Board make changes to these benchmarks as necessary to improve measurement and reporting while, at the same time, maintaining consistency across annual reports to the General Assembly. Deletes specific benchmarks set forth in the Act.
Amends the Executive Reorganization Implementation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows a designated domestic partner to qualify as a surviving spouse for purposes of survivor and death benefits. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Creates the Labor Organization Dues Non-remittance Act. Provides that if dues, fair share payments, or other amounts are deducted by an employer from the earnings of an employee for remittance to a labor organization and the employer fails to either remit those amounts to the employee organization or return those amounts to the employee, the labor organization must deem those amounts to have been paid by the employee to the labor organization and may not take any action to recover those amounts from the employee or take any action against the employee for non-payment of those amounts. Provides that a labor organization is entitled to require an employee to submit pay stubs or other documentation indicating that the amounts were deducted from the earnings of the employee. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to impair any obligation under any contract in force on the effective date of the Act. Provides for investigations and enforcement by the Department of Labor, penalties, review, rules, and construction of the Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title and policy of the Act.
Amends the School Code. Creates a new Article concerning the conversion and formation of school districts. Contains provisions concerning school district conversions; combined school district formation; unit school district formation; partial elementary unit school district formation; petitions; the holding of an election; taxes, bonds, and working cash funds; the effective date of a change; a map showing the change; assets, liabilities, bonded indebtedness, and tax rates; teachers in contractual continued service; limitations on contesting boundary changes; a limitation on successive petitions; a school district's nonrecognition status; unit district formation and a joint agreement vocational education program; and incentives. Repeals provisions concerning unit school district conversion in districts with not more than 250 students in grades 9 through 12, unit school district formation, school district combination, school district conversion, and supplementary State aid for new, annexing, and resulting districts. Makes related changes in the School Code and Election Code. Effective July 1, 2006.
Amends the Toll Highway Act. Makes a technical change in a definitions Section.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the ongoing traffic stop statistical study shall continue without an ending date (rather than terminating on December 31, 2007).
Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.