Amends the School Code. Permits a school board to excuse pupils in grades 9 through 12 from engaging in physical education courses if those pupils request to be excused and are enrolled in 2 or more Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Amends the Illinois State Auditing Act. Provides that oversight of the State's compliance with auditing standards and generally accepted accounting principles for governments shall be the responsibility of the Auditor General. Provides that the Auditor General's annual review shall evaluate the State's compliance with generally accepted accounting principles for governments, as promulgated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. Provides that the Auditor General shall (instead of "may") adopt rules concerning audit standards. Amends the State Comptroller Act to require to Comptroller to consult with the Auditor General and provide the Auditor General with draft copies of any proposed accounting standards. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that each individual taxpayer is entitled to a credit in an amount equal to any adoption fees paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year in connection with the adoption of a cat or dog from a county animal control facility, a humane society, or an animal rescue organization, but not to exceed $100 per taxpayer in any taxable year. Provides that the credit may not be claimed for more than 3 animals in a taxable year. Provides that the credit is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provisions. Effective immediately.
Directs the Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Council to ensure that Williams and Company Consulting is administering the Council's programmatic responsibilities in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of the Drycleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Act and rules adopted under that Act.
Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that before the Chicago Transit Board, Suburban Bus Board, or Commuter Rail Board may enter into or amend any employment contract, that Board must obtain approval from the Regional Transportation Authority Board. Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that a public body may hold closed meetings to consider employment contracts between the Regional Transportation Authority Board and its Service Boards when the discussion involves approval of employment contracts.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval, recipients of benefits provided under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) shall receive an extra $0.25 in benefits for every $1 spent on fruits and vegetables sold at a farmers' market. Provides that this increase in benefits shall not exceed $25 per month and that the Department of Human Services shall seek any necessary waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture in order to implement this provision.
Creates the University Student Fee Act. Provides that all students enrolled in college credit programs at State universities shall be charged fees, except students who are exempt from fees or students whose fees are waived. Provides that, beginning on July 1, 2014, the resident undergraduate tuition for lower-level and upper-level coursework at a State university shall be $103.32 per credit hour. Provides that, beginning with the 2016 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter, the resident undergraduate tuition per credit hour shall increase at the beginning of each fall semester at a rate equal to inflation. Allows the Board of Higher Education or the Board's designee to establish tuition for graduate and professional programs and out-of-State fees for all programs. Sets forth provisions concerning flexible tuition policies, the establishment of fees, fee proposals, a tuition differential, and rules.
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Provides that lobbying an official of a unit of local government includes members of the Chicago Transit Authority and Directors of the Regional Transit Authority, the Suburban Bus Board, and the Commuter Rail Board.
