Rep. Eddie Washington

Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Increases the income limitation under the Act to $55,000 (instead of $50,000) beginning in 2009. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the maximum income limitation under the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption is the income limitation set forth in the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.

Amends the School Code. Establishes the Illinois Hope and Opportunity Pathways through Education (IHOPE) Program to develop a comprehensive system in this State to re-enroll significant numbers of high school dropouts in programs that will enable them to earn their high school diploma. Requires the State Board of Education to implement and administer the IHOPE Program. Provides that the IHOPE Program shall award grants to educational service regions and the Chicago school district from appropriated funds to assist in establishing instructional programs and other services designed to re-enroll high school dropouts. Provides that the IHOPE Program shall provide incentive grant funds for regional offices of education and the Chicago school district to develop partnerships with school districts, public community colleges, and community groups to build comprehensive plans to re-enroll high school dropouts in their regions or districts. Sets forth requirements for programs funded through the IHOPE Program. Provides for an IHOPE Plan, sub-grants, how funding is distributed, State aid, categories of programming, the evaluation of programs, and rules. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Removes the provision that a veterans home resident's maintenance charges must be paid first and to the fullest extent possible from sources of income other than pensions or compensation paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Amends the North Shore Sanitary District Act. In a provision pertaining to the mandatory competitive bid requirements of the sanitary district, exempts from the requirements contracts for the repair or replacement of equipment or facilities damaged as the result of an unexpected occurrence (flood, fire, tornado, or other disaster). Sets forth limitations on the exemption. Provides that the sanitary district may use a "design-build" procurement method for any public project under specified circumstances. Defines "design-build". Provides that the board of trustees may establish a self-insurance program. Provides that the board of trustees may provide for payment by the sanitary district of the costs of a self-insurance program. Makes other changes.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that with respect to any benefit year that has not terminated as of the effective date of the amendatory Act, including but not limited to a benefit year that began prior to the effective date of the amendatory Act, any otherwise eligible individual whose total or partial unemployment is attributable to a lockout of the members of his or her collective bargaining unit shall be entitled, during such benefit year, to a maximum total amount of benefits equal to 52 times his or her weekly benefit amount plus dependents allowances, or to the total wages for insured work paid to such individual during the individual's base period, whichever amount is smaller. Effective January 1, 2010.

Amends the Public University Energy Conservation Act. Provides that "energy conservation measure" includes construction of a new building or facility that is designed to reduce energy consumption or operating costs.

Honors Father Gary Graf for his many years of dedicated service to the citizens of Waukegan and the congregation of the Holy Family Parish.

Congratulates William A. Biang on the occasion of his retirement as Chief of the Waukegan Police Department.

Thanks Richard H. Hyde for his years of dedicated service as Mayor of the City of Waukegan.