Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law of the Property Tax Code. Sets forth procedures that taxing districts must follow when seeking referendum approval after April 5, 2005 to increase (i) the maximum authorized tax rate for any fund for which the taxing district is authorized by statute to levy taxes and which rate is limited by prior referendum or statutory authorization and which rate is authorized by statute to be increased for a limited or unlimited number of years by direct (and not back door) referendum, except for increases that require an equal corresponding tax rate decrease for another fund or (ii) the maximum extended tax rate applicable only to the next taxes to be either levied or extended for any fund notwithstanding the limiting rate that would otherwise be applicable for such taxing district. Sets forth requirements for form of ballot propositions and referendum notices. Sets forth procedures for setting the new tax rates. Provides that a taxing district is limited to an extension limitation (instead of "extension increase") of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month calendar year preceding the levy year, whichever is less.
Sponsored bills
Urges the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to track the recent areas of residence of Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Program enrollees to ensure that the Program is successfully enrolling uninsured children historically residing in Illinois.
Congratulates staff members from Libertyville Elementary School District 70 who are retiring at the end of the school year.
Congratulates the Libertyville High School Mock Trial Team.
Amends the Ticket Scalping Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning service charges.
Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Makes changes in the definition of "the practice of audiology". Provides that the Act does not prohibit the performance of balance testing (rather than vestibular function testing) by an appropriately trained person under the supervision of a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has the power to discipline the supervisor of a graduate speech-language pathology student for the student's violation of the Act. Provides that the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation shall give consideration to the recommendations of the Illinois Academy of Audiology in making appointments to the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Removes the requirement that a graduate student enrolled in a program of audiology be a full-time student in order to engage in the dispensing of hearing instruments as part of the program without a license under the Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning the qualifications for licenses to practice speech-language pathology and audiology. Effective immediately.
Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Allows the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Board to establish conditions and procedures under which the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan may discount or subsidize premiums for unemployed or retired coal miners who are federally eligible and whose employer-provided health insurance coverage was terminated on September 28, 2004, and to accept funds appropriated for this purpose. Allows unemployed or retired coal miners who are federally eligible and whose employer-provided health insurance coverage was terminated on September 28, 2004 to be eligible for the Plan even though their premiums may be discounted or subsidized. Requires federally eligible unemployed or retired coal miners whose employer-provided health insurance coverage was terminated on September 28, 2004 to pay the discounted or subsidized premiums established by the Board. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that a person may be liable in any civil action for money damages to the owner of the land he or she entered upon with a motor vehicle. Provides the measure of damages an owner may recover. Provides that if the person operating the vehicle is under the age of 16, the owner of the vehicle and the parent or legal guardian of the minor are jointly and severally liable. Defines "land", "owner", and "vehicle".
Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Requires each police chief and deputy police chief to obtain at least 20 hours of training each year. Requires the training to be approved by the Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and to concern certain topics. Provides that attending a conference held by an association that represents chiefs of police satisfies the training requirement. Requires the municipality to reimburse the police chief and deputy police chief for reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining the required training. Preempts home rule. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State.
Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall implement and administer a Giant Steps Autism Center for Excellence pilot program for the study and evaluation of autism and to provide related training for teachers, paraprofessionals, and respite workers, therapist training, and consultative services. Provides that the State Board of Education is authorized to make grants to school districts and other programs that apply to participate in the Giant Steps Autism Center for Excellence program. Effective immediately.