Congratulates the pastor and congregation of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church Worship Center in Chicago on the 75th anniversary of the church. Congratulates Senior Pastor Reverend Stephen J. Thurston on his 30th anniversary of pastoral ministry.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that it shall be the policy of the Department of Human Services to provide TANF aid to all qualified persons who seek assistance and to conduct outreach efforts to educate the public about the program. Makes changes concerning the disregard of earned income. Requires that financial aid be provided no more than 15 days after the date of application. Requires that an applicant undergo a thorough employability assessment within the first 30 days after the date of application for aid. Adds a definition of "domestic or sexual violence", and adds references to domestic or sexual violence in provisions concerning crisis assistance and development of a personal plan for achieving self-sufficiency. Effective immediately.
Congratulates the owners and employees of Shoreline Sightseeing in Chicago on the occasion of the company's 70th anniversary.
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 Unified Code of Corrections. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning receiving procedures.
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning appeals by the State.
Amends the School Code. Subject to an appropriation or the availability of funding for such purposes, requires the State Board of Education to make grants available to fund community schools (which are traditional schools that actively partner with their community to leverage existing resources and identify new resources to support the transformation of the school to provide enrichment and additional life skill opportunities for students, parents, and community members at-large) and to enhance programs at community schools. Requires a request-for-proposal process to be used in awarding grants. Provides that proposals may be submitted on behalf of a school, a school district, or a consortium of 2 or more schools or school districts. Requires a school to have certain components in order to qualify for a grant. Requires the State Superintendent of Education to appoint a 9-member Advisory Council on Community Schools. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Allows an organization licensee to maintain a system whereby advance deposit wagering may take place or to contract with another person to carry out a system of advance deposit wagering. Makes changes in the definitions of "Inter-track wagering", "non-host licensee", "pari-mutuel system of wagering", "licensee", "wagering facility", and "wagering". Adds definitions of "advance deposit wagering licensee" and "advance deposit wagering". Provides for a pari-mutuel tax on advance deposit wagering. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "severely or profoundly mentally retarded person".
Amends the Gender-Neutral Statutes Commission Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Commission's duties.
