Rep. David McSweeney

Opposes the expansion of the State sales tax to include video and streaming services.

Amends the School Code with respect to State goals and assessment. Provides that the provision requiring the State Board of Education to administer no more than 3 assessments, per student, of English language arts and mathematics for students in a secondary education program applies until the expiration of any contracts entered into before the effective date of the amendatory Act between the State Board and the company or companies that operate the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) tests. Provides that after the expiration of any such contracts, the State Board shall enter into 2 separate contracts to administer 2 college and career ready determination examinations, including, but not limited to, one that is accepted by all of this State's public and private institutions of higher education, for the purpose of student application or admissions consideration. Specifies that each student must be offered the opportunity to choose between the 2 examinations. Sets forth provisions providing that the State Board is required to cover all expenses for each student to take one of the 2 examinations for the purpose of college application or admissions consideration. Provides that no State assessments other than these 2 examinations may be administered to students in a secondary education program after the expiration of any contracts entered into before the effective date of the amendatory Act between the State Board and the company or companies that operate the PARCC tests. Effective July 1, 2016.

Amends the General Assembly Compensation Act. Establishes the fiscal year 2017 mileage reimbursement rate and allowance for lodging and meals. Amends the Compensation Review Act. Prohibits cost-of-living adjustments for or during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016 for State government legislative and executive elected officers and appointees in positions for which the Compensation Review Board previously recommended or determined compensation. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code with respect to school districts other than the Chicago school district. Prohibits any post-retirement educator bonus not required by a valid contract entered into before the effective date of the amendatory Act, and prohibits a school district from entering into a contract on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act that provides for a post-retirement educator bonus or bonuses. Defines "post-retirement educator bonus" as any payment made by a school district to an educator licensed under the School Code who has commenced his or her retirement and is collecting a retirement annuity from the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois, other than compensation for current employment with the school district. Requires each school district to annually report to all residents of the school district the status of all contracts requiring the payment of a post-retirement educator bonus and all post-retirement educator bonuses paid during the previous school year. Sets forth what the report must contain. Effective immediately.

Amends the Salaries Act. Decreases the annual salary of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer, and Attorney General by 10% beginning on January 9, 2019. Amends the General Assembly Compensation Act. Decreases the annual salary and committee service stipends of General Assembly members by 10% beginning on January 11, 2017 for each member of the House of Representatives and each member of the Senate elected to a 2-year term commencing January 14, 2015 and beginning January 9, 2019 for all other members of the Senate. Effective immediately.

Creates the School Water Supply Testing Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2017, water supplies available for drinking water use in all classroom-instruction public school facilities, non-home-based private school facilities, charter school facilities, and special education facilities shall be tested for lead at least once a year. Provides that water suppliers shall be responsible for such testing and associated expenses. Contains provisions concerning testing expenses, rate relief, and reimbursements. Provides that test results shall be public; provided to the school district or governing body of a tested school, and the Environmental Protection Agency; and published online by water suppliers. Creates the School Water Supply Testing Fund. Provides that any monies paid by the federal government to the State to test local school water shall be deposited into the Fund and such monies shall be used for the purposes set forth in the Act. Provides that the Agency may adopt rules concerning the Fund and to implement the Act. Effective immediately.

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that no person may serve more than eight years in the General Assembly. Provides that no person may be elected or appointed as Senator or Representative if, upon completion of the term of office, that person will have been a member of the General Assembly for more than eight years. Provides that time served in the General Assembly before the session beginning in January 2017 shall not count toward the eight-year service limitation. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that no new Agreements may be entered into under the Act on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Foster Homes and Specialized Foster Care Fund and the Permanent Unpaid Bill Repayment Fund. Provides that moneys in the Foster Homes and Specialized Foster Care Fund shall be used by the Department of Children and Family Services for the purpose of providing specialized care to children who are in a subsidized guardianship arrangement or under an adoption assistance agreement and require specialized services because of emotional, behavioral, developmental, or medical needs. Provides for transfers from the General Revenue Fund to the Foster Homes and Specialized Foster Care Fund. Provides that excess moneys in the Foster Homes and Specialized Foster Care Fund shall be transferred to the Permanent Unpaid Bill Repayment Fund. Provides that moneys in the Permanent Unpaid Bill Repayment Fund shall be used to make payments to bona fide creditors of the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for tax years 2015 through 2017, the extension limitation is (a) 0% or (b) the rate of increase approved by voters (instead of (a) the lesser of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month calendar year preceding the levy year or (b) the rate of increase approved by voters). Effective immediately.

Amends the General Assembly Compensation Act. Establishes the fiscal year 2016 mileage reimbursement rate and allowance for lodging and meals. Requires every member of the 99th General Assembly to forfeit one day of compensation during each month of the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015. Amends the Compensation Review Act. Prohibits a fiscal year 2016 cost-of-living adjustment for State government legislative and executive elected officers and appointees in positions for which the Compensation Review Board previously recommended or determined compensation. Effective immediately.