Rep. Sandy Cole

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 School Code. Creates the Innovation, Intervention, and Restructuring Task Force for the purpose of developing strategies to allow for the innovation, intervention, and restructuring of schools, including those that need comprehensive or focused intervention. Requires the task force to submit its strategies for allowing intervention and innovation, in the form of recommendations, in a comprehensive report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the State Superintendent of Education not later than December 31, 2009. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. 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 and to submit an annual report. Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in cooperation with not-for-profit groups and community partners, to develop and implement an education and outreach campaign designed to increase statewide awareness of issues that affect individuals with a disability. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to collect information during the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 regarding employers claims of the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit and to submit an annual report. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that a chief procurement officer may, as part of any solicitation, encourage prospective vendors to consider hiring qualified individuals with a disability and to notify them of any available financial incentives or other advantages associated with hiring such persons. Effective immediately.

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 CommunityHealth for its more than fifteen years of dedicated service to meeting the needs of the uninsured in Illinois and directs the Departments of Public Health, with the cooperation of Healthcare and Family Services and Human Services, to identify public-private collaborative opportunities with CommunityHealth to continue its mission and to report to the Governor and the General Assembly.

Urges the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Departments of Children and Family Services, Healthcare and Family Services, Corrections, Financial Institutions and Professional Regulation, the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities to complete an assessment of existing State and federal assistance programs involving Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Congratulates Ted Mueller, former Mayor of Hainesville, on his retirement.

Congratulates Andrew Middendorf of Lindenhurst on the occasion of attaining the coveted rank of Eagle Scout.

Congratulates Christopher Valent of Lindenhurst on the occasion of attaining the coveted rank of Eagle Scout.

Congratulates Kevin Sabato of Gurnee on the occasion of attaining the coveted rank of Eagle Scout.