Congratulates Dr. John Walter "J.W." Smith, Jr. on his retirement after 40 years of dedicated service to the Chicago Public Schools.
Congratulates Dr. Craig S. Washington, Ed.D. as he joined the City Colleges of Chicago as the sixth President of Olive-Harvey College in August of 2003.
Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Increases the minimum wage for workers 18 years and older to $6.50 per hour on January 1, 2004. Provides that, beginning in 2005, the minimum wage shall be annually adjusted by the Department of Labor. Provides that the adjustment shall be calculated each September 30, using the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, and shall take effect on January 1 of the following year. Provides that the Director of Labor shall by rule establish the minimum wage for employees under the age of 18 years. Deletes language providing that: (i) wages may not be less than the federal minimum hourly wage and wages paid to any employee under 18 years of age may not be more than 50 cents less than the wage required to be paid to employees who are at least 18 years of age; and (ii) every employer of an employee engaged in an occupation in which gratuities have customarily been recognized as part of the remuneration is entitled to an allowance for gratuities as part of the hourly wage rate in an amount not to exceed 40% of the applicable minimum wage rate.
Amends the Cigarette Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Home Repair Fraud Act. In provisions relating to a victim who is 60 years of age or older or a disabled person, increases criminal penalties and lowers the monetary thresholds for enhanced penalties. In addition, provides that the offender's licenses and permits may be suspended or revoked.
Amends the School Code by requiring the Chicago Board of Education to establish a pilot program to prevent crime by developing guidelines to identify students at risk of committing crimes and requiring them to tour a prison to discourage criminal behavior. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.
Amends the School Code. Allows a school board to establish, maintain, and operate a summer kindergarten program that begins 2 months before the beginning of the regular school year and a summer kindergarten program for grade one readiness for those pupils making unsatisfactory progress during the regular kindergarten session that will continue for 2 months after the regular school year. Provides that the summer kindergarten program may be held within the school district or, pursuant to a contract that must be approved by the State Board of Education, may be operated by 2 or more adjacent school districts or by a public or private university or college. Effective immediately.
Amends the Drug Paraphernalia Control Act and the Hypodermic Syringes and Needles Act. Authorizes a person who is at least 18 years of age to purchase up to 20 sterile hypodermic syringes or needles at a pharmacy without a prescription. Authorizes a pharmacist to sell up to 20 sterile hypodermic syringes or needles to a person who is at least 18 years of age. Provides that the Illinois Department of Public Health must develop educational materials regarding safer injection, HIV prevention, syringe disposal, and drug treatment and make copies of those materials available to pharmacists. Provides that pharmacists must make those educational materials available to persons who purchase syringes. Repeals the Section in the Hypodermic Syringes and Needles Act requiring a person who sells a syringe, needle, or instrument to keep a record of the sale. Effective immediately.
Amends a Section of the School Code concerning the School Technology Revolving Loan Program. Provides that funds may be used for the purpose of making the integration of technology in the classroom possible. Provides that loans shall be made available to public school districts, charter schools, area vocational centers, and laboratory schools on a 2-year rotating basis (now, loans are made to school districts on a 3-year rotating basis). Provides that at least 90% of loan proceeds shall be used for technology hardware investments and up to 10% for computer furniture. Provides that the State Board of Education may adopt rules specifying collateral. Effective July 1, 2003.
Creates the Illinois Early Learning Council Act. Establishes the Illinois Early Learning Council to coordinate existing State programs and services for children from birth to 5 years of age in order to better meet the early learning needs of children and their families. Provides for the appointment of members to the Council who represent both public and private organizations and who shall serve on a voluntary, unpaid basis.
