Rep. Renée Kosel

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. In the Downstate Police Article, provides that, until January 1, 2009, an active member of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund that has less than 8 years of creditable service in a police pension fund under the Article may apply for a transfer of his or her creditable service accumulated in that fund to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. In the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Article, provides that, until January 1, 2009, a person who has less than 8 years of creditable service under the IMRF Article who has become an active participant in a police pension fund may apply for a transfer of his or her IMRF creditable service to that police pension fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that a local advisory committee created by the Toll Highway Authority shall be dissolved when one year has elapsed since the completion of the tollway for which the committee was created. Effective immediately.

Amends the Teacher Certification Article of the School Code. Repeals provisions concerning the Alternative Teacher Certification Program and the Alternative Route to Teacher Certification Program. Provides instead that the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, shall establish and implement an Alternative Route to Teacher Certification program under which persons who meet the requirements of and successfully complete the program shall be issued an initial teaching certificate for teaching in the schools. Includes provisions concerning who may offer the program, the program course of study, the phases of the program, the issuance of a provisional alternative teaching certificate and an initial teaching certificate, and an annual report to the State Board. Repeals provisions concerning resident teacher certificates and the Illinois Teacher Corps. Provides instead that the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, shall establish and implement a Resident Teacher Certification program under which persons who meet the requirements of and successfully complete the program and serve as a resident teacher for 4 years shall be issued a standard teaching certificate for teaching in the schools. Includes provisions concerning who may offer the program, the phases of the program, the issuance of a resident teacher certificate and an initial and standard teaching certificate, completion of an internship in lieu of professional experience, preparation for the teaching profession, master's degree completion, the hiring of program candidates, school district support to candidates, and an annual report to the State Board. Effective July 1, 2007.

Requests that a study be conducted on the traffic patterns and the necessary upgrades that will be needed to safely operate the EJ & E Line as part of the Canadian National Railway Company system. Urges the Canadian National Railway Company to acknowledge that the train traffic increases that they are proposing will put a significant burden on the citizens of the listed counties. Urges the U.S. Surface Transportation Board take into account the severity of the increases in rail traffic in the affected communities and to make decisions regarding this acquisition that will maximize the quality of life of the citizens within the listed counties.

Amends the Taxi Safety Act of 2007. Provides that a taxi driver must be 21 years of age or older, must have a valid Illinois driver's license, must have had a valid driver's license for at least 3 years, and must not have been convicted of certain offenses during the immediately preceding 3 year period. Also provides that if he or she, after becoming a taxi driver, is convicted of any of those offenses or ceases to be licensed, he or she must immediately cease operating a taxicab and the prohibition shall continue until specified conditions are met. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the Disabled Veterans Housing Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning eligibility for certain services.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides for a credit for taxpayers who, during the taxable year, install, on a building or property that is owned by the taxpayer and that is located in the State, a geothermal, solar, wind, or fuel cell energy device and sets the amount of the credit at the lesser of (i) $1,500 or (ii) 20% of the actual cost of the acquisition and installation of the device. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Effective immediately.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that, if a person is currently serving on active-duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or Reserves and has a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card, or the equivalent from another state, then there is no fee for a hunting license. Requires verification of active-duty service.

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law. Requires the Department of Central Management Services, in cooperation with the Department of Human Services, to develop and implement plans to increase the number of individuals with a disability employed by State government. Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in cooperation with the Department of Human Services, to develop and implement a public awareness campaign designed to increase statewide awareness of issues that affect individuals with a disability. Sets forth requirements for the public awareness campaign. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish procedures and adopt rules for the certification of employees and individuals with a disability with respect to certain tax credits set forth under the Illinois Income Tax Act. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Requires that each notice of a contract contain a statement to encourage prospective vendors to hire individuals with a disability. Provides that a chief procurement officer may encourage prospective vendors to consider hiring individuals with a disability. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a tax credit for taxpayers who, during the taxable year, pay wages to an employee with a disability. Creates a tax credit for taxpayers who, during the taxable year, hire a net new qualified employee with a disability. Creates a tax credit for taxpayers who are qualified individuals with a disability. Sets forth the amounts and requirements for these credits. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a non-expert's opinion or inference testimony is limited to opinions or inferences that are rationally based on his or her perception, helpful to a clear understanding of his or her testimony or the determination of a fact in issue, and not based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge. Sets forth requirements regarding: qualifications, testimony, disclosure, and compensation of expert witnesses; bases of expert opinion testimony; limitations on expert testimony; pre-trial hearings and disclosures concerning expert witnesses; precedents to be followed in interpreting the new provisions; interlocutory appeals of rulings on the admissibility of expert evidence; standards to be followed by reviewing courts in determining the admissibility of expert testimony; severability; and other matters. Applies to actions commenced on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and pending actions in which a trial has not been scheduled or in which a trial has been scheduled more than 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.