Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Establishes the MAP Challenge Program to (i) reduce the number of students who withdraw from high school before graduation, (ii) increase the number of students who are prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation, (iii) increase the number of students entering institutions of higher learning, and (iv) encourage eligible students to attend institutions of higher learning by reducing the financial burden on these students and their families. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, and the State Board of Education shall work cooperatively to develop the MAP Challenge Program as a pilot program that accomplishes these purposes by leveraging student financial aid to college readiness. Provides that the program shall include cooperation between school districts and State agencies in outreach and student services and minimum course requirements based on a college preparatory core curriculum to ensure students are ready for college. Provides that students who successfully complete this program must be provided with an incentive in the form of State financial aid. Effective July 1, 2008.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Authorizes the Illinois Finance Authority to issue bonds and to guarantee loans to finance broadband projects in the State. Sets forth the powers of the Authority with respect to broadband financing. Sets forth requirements for State guarantees of broadband financing. Requires monetary transfers and continuing appropriations to funds of the Authority for broadband financing purposes. Provides that bonds for broadband financing may be moral obligations of the State. Provides that the exercise of powers of the Authority under these provisions is exempt from certain State taxation. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Service Use Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning requirements to file bonds.
Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that a school board may, with referendum approval, elect to provide that the aggregate extension of the school district does not include any extension made: (i) for fire prevention and safety purposes under the School Code; and (ii) to pay the principle and interest on fire prevention and safety bonds issued under the School Code or on bonds issued to refund any fire prevention and safety bonds. Sets forth requirements for the referendum. Effective immediately.
Amends the Payday Loan Reform Act. Changes the definition of "payday loan" to include any loan with a finance charge exceeding an annual percentage rate of 36% (instead of with a finance charge exceeding an annual percentage rate of 36% and with a term that does not exceed 120 days). Provides that no lender may make a payday loan with periodic payments unless the periodic payments are substantially equal term payments and, if paid as scheduled, result in full payment of the principal and interest owed on the loan at the end of the loan term. Requires the licensee, as part of the information that he or she must collect and maintain, to include the total number of lawsuits filed by the licensee or its agent against consumers to collect on payday loans from consumers during the preceding calendar year. Prohibits a licensee or a person making payday loans from evading the requirements and prohibitions of the Act by use of a device or subterfuge including, but not limited to, (i) disguising a payday loan as a different type of transaction, or (ii) characterizing a required fee as a purchase of a good or service in connection with a payday loan. Authorizes the Department to develop rules to determine if any person or entity seeks to evade the applicability of this Act by any device, subterfuge, or pretense. Effective immediately.
Amends the Children's Health Insurance Program Act. Provides that for purposes of the "FamilyCare" program under the Act, a caretaker relative, including a pregnant woman or her spouse if living together, who is 19 years of age or older qualifies for medical assistance if certain conditions are met, including conditions relating to (i) disenrollment for Medicaid or benefits under the Children's Health Insurance Program Act or the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act or (ii) the availability of affordable health insurance to the individual. Provides that for the purpose of determining eligibility under these provisions, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall disregard income in an amount equal to the difference between 133% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level Guidelines for the appropriate family size. Sets forth provisions concerning the commencement of eligibility. Requires that eligibility be reviewed annually. Provides for monthly premiums to be paid by caretaker relatives, based on family income. Provides for re-enrollment following termination of an individual's coverage under the program. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are subject to appropriation. Provides that neither the Governor nor any agency or agency head under the jurisdiction of the Governor has any rulemaking authority under the amendatory Act, but that the Governor may suggest rules by filing them with the General Assembly and requesting that the General Assembly authorize such rulemaking by law, enact the suggested rules into law, or take other appropriate action in the General Assembly's discretion.
Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the School District Property Tax Relief Fund. Requires annual appropriations from the education appropriation minimum to the School District Property Tax Relief Fund. Requires the Department of Revenue to annually certify the amounts of property tax relief grants that school districts will receive from the Fund. Sets forth procedures for appropriating these grants. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the tax rate for individuals, trusts, and estates from 3% to 5% and increased the tax rate for corporations from 4.8% to 8%. Includes retirement income within the definition of "base income" for certain individuals. Eliminates certain corporate exemptions. Creates the Family Tax Credit, which is a refundable tax credit. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Eliminates exemptions concerning newsprint and ink and concerning manufacturing and assembling machinery. Includes certain arts, entertainment, and recreation services within the definition of "sale at retail" in the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Amends the Property Tax Code. Requires county clerks to abate the extensions for educational purposes by the amount of the property tax relief grants. Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Deletes provisions concerning discounts for timely filing and paying the taxes. Amends the School Code. In the State aid formula provisions, increases the foundation level of support and grant amount for supplemental general State aid. Provides for an education appropriation minimum and supplemental State aid for rapidly expanding school districts.
Provides for a bipartisan task force that shall hold public hearings, gather evidence, develop, and propose legislation and ultimately furnish a report concerning business and job development in Illinois.
Amends the Public Health Program Beneficiary Employer Disclosure Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act and the State Mandates Act. Provides that no person may establish or operate a nursing home in Illinois unless and until he or she provides to the Department of Public Health proof of liability insurance coverage in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. Requires the Department to deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license for failure to maintain liability insurance coverage. Provides that failure to maintain such liability insurance coverage during the term of a facility's license is a Type "A" violation under the Act. Provides that the Director of Public Health may not grant a waiver of a facility's compliance with the requirement to maintain liability insurance coverage. Provides that information concerning a facility's liability insurance coverage is subject to disclosure to the public. Makes other changes with respect to liability insurance coverage. Provides that a licensee shall pay 3 times the actual damages, or $500, whichever is greater (instead of only the actual damages) and costs and attorney's fees to a resident whose rights are violated. Provides that any mandate created by these provisions is exempt from reimbursement by the State.