Rep. Cynthia Soto

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that 2 or more acts or transactions in violation of certain provisions of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act may be joined in a single count of an indictment, information, or complaint. Amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Subject to appropriation, provides that the Department of Labor shall establish an administrative procedure to adjudicate claims or specific categories of claims. Establishes procedures for an employee who has not been paid the wage the employee is entitled by the Act to recover by filing a claim with the Department or in a civil action, but not both.

Amends the School Code. Authorizes a school district to provide students with instructional materials in an electronic format.

Amends the School Construction Law. In provisions concerning early childhood construction grants, provides that a public school district or other eligible entity must provide local matching funds in an amount equal to 10% of the grant (rather than the amount of the grant). Provides that the Capital Development Board may adopt rules that include requirements that new or improved facilities be used for early childhood and other related programs for a period of at least 10 years. Effective July 1, 2010.

Amends the Older Adult Services Act. In provisions concerning the development of a plan to restructure the State's service delivery system for older adults, provides that the Department on Aging and the Departments of Public Health and Healthcare and Family Services shall develop the plan no later than September 30, 2010. Provides that the plan shall protect the rights of all older Illinoisans to services based on their health circumstances and functioning level, regardless of whether they receive their care in their homes, in a community setting, or in a residential facility. Provides that financing for older adult services shall take into account individual preference but shall not jeopardize the health, safety, or level of care of nursing home residents. Effective immediately.

Creates the Afterschool Youth Development Project Act. Provides that because it is the policy of this State to provide all young people between the ages of 6 and 19 with access to quality afterschool programs through a State commitment to sufficient and sustainable funding for programs that promote positive youth development, the Illinois Youth Development Council is created. Provides that the purpose of the Council is to provide oversight and coordination to the State's public funds currently invested to support positive youth development programs and activities and to set system-wide policies and priorities to accomplish 5 specified objectives. Provides that the Council shall be governed by a board of no less than 28 and no more than 32 members and that the Council shall reflect the regional, racial, socio-economic, and cultural diversity of the State to ensure representation of the needs of all Illinois youth. Contains provisions concerning Council member appointments; the establishment of an independent Youth Advisory Group; the major objectives of the Council; afterschool demonstration programs; reporting requirements; and other matters. Provides that the Council shall be created within the Department of Human Services and that the Department shall provide resources to the Council including administrative services and data collection. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Provides that the term "administrative housing agency" means either the Illinois Housing Development Authority, an agency of the City of Chicago, or the Chicago Board of Education (rather than the Authority or an agency of the City of Chicago). Provides that the City of Chicago and the Chicago Board of Education (rather than the City of Chicago) shall receive 21.5% and 3%, respectively (rather than 24.5%), of the total tax credits authorized for each fiscal year under the Illinois Income Tax Act.

Amends the Personnel Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Education for Homeless Children Act. Requires the State Board of Education to award competitive grants under an Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program to applicant school districts to support school districts throughout this State in facilitating the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youth. Provides that grants must be awarded on the basis of the need of the school district for assistance and the quality of the applications submitted. Provides that grants shall be for terms not to exceed 3 years, but are subject to annual appropriation. Requires school districts to use funds only for those activities set forth in the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. Provides that there is no 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 Financial Institutions Code. Provides that the Department shall create a version of its website that is in Spanish for pages that contain information about predatory lending.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "felony".