Amends the Illinois Municipal Code concerning sewer systems, except in counties with more than 250,000 inhabitants where the majority of the municipal system users are located outside the municipality. Amends the Sanitary District Revenue Bond Act. Authorizes discontinuance of water service or sewerage service, or both, to a premises within a sanitary district when payment of the rate or charge for sewerage service to the premises has become delinquent. States that the provider of sewerage service shall not request discontinuation of water service before sending a notice of the delinquency to the sewer user and affording the user an opportunity to be heard. Provides that an investor-owned public utility providing water service within a municipality may contract with the municipality to discontinue water or sewer service to enforce delinquent sewer charges. Provides that a municipality or sanitary district shall reimburse a water service provider for any lost water service revenues and the costs of discontinuing water service and shall indemnify the water service provider for any judgment and related attorney's fees resulting from an action based on provisions authorizing discontinuance of water service. Makes the Sanitary District Revenue Bond Act applicable to the North Shore Sanitary District.
Sponsored bills
Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that, on March 31, 2003 or as soon as practicable thereafter, the amount of $300,000 shall be transferred from the Statistical Services Revolving Fund to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund. Provides that, beginning on July 1, 2004, on the last day of each month, an amount equal to 50% of that day's beginning balance in the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund shall be transferred from the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund to the Statistical Services Revolving Fund. Provides that these transfers shall continue until the cumulative total of transfers executed from the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund to the Statistical Services Revolving Fund equals $300,000. Effective immediately.
Amends the senior citizens homestead exemption provisions in the Property Tax Code. Provides that beginning with assessment year 2003, for taxes payable in 2004, property that is first occupied as a residence after January 1 of any assessment year by a person who is eligible for the senior citizens homestead exemption must be granted a pro-rata exemption for the assessment year. The amount of the pro-rata exemption is the senior citizens homestead exemption allowed in the county divided by 365 and multiplied by the number of days during the year the property is occupied as a residence by a person eligible for the exemption. The chief county assessment officer must adopt reasonable procedures to establish eligibility for the pro-rata exemption. Amends the State Mandates Act to restate that the senior citizens homestead exemption is exempt from the requirements of the State Mandates Act and further amends the Property Tax Code to state that the senior citizens homestead exemption is exempt from the requirements of the State Mandates Act. Effective immediately.
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 Historic Preservation Agency Act. Creates the Freedom Trail Commission. Contains provisions concerning the membership and duties of the commission. Provides that the commission must prepare a master plan to promote and preserve the history of the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State; work in conjunction with State and federal authorities to sponsor commemorations, linkages, seminars, and public forums on the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State and in neighboring states; assist and promote the making of applications for inclusion in the national and State register of historic places for significant historic places related to the freedom trail and the underground railroad in the State; assist and develop partnerships to seek public and private funds to carry out activities to protect, preserve, and promote the legacy of the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State; and work with the Illinois State Board of Education to evaluate, conduct research concerning, and develop a curriculum for use in Illinois public schools regarding the underground railroad, with emphasis on the activities of the underground railroad within this State. Provides that the commission must report its activities and findings to the General Assembly by February 1, 2004. Effective immediately.
Amends the Freedom of Information Act. For a court's awarding of attorney fees in a suit resulting from denial of disclosure of a public record, removes the requirements that (i) the record is highly significant to the general public and (ii) the public body lacked a reasonable legal basis for the denial.
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning appeals by the State.
Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Applies the prevailing wage provisions to contracts for the following services: buildings and grounds, site technician, and natural resources. Removes the prohibition against considering State employee collective bargaining agreements when setting a prevailing wage rate.
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.
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.