Rep. Robert W. Pritchard

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 School Code. With respect to sick leave for teachers (other than in the Chicago school district), provides that a school board may require a certificate from a physician, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or spiritual adviser or practitioner as a basis for pay during leave after an absence of 30 days for birth. Provides that for paid sick leave for adoption or placement for adoption, the school board may require that the teacher or other employee provide evidence that the formal adoption process is underway, and such leave is limited to 30 days unless a longer leave has been negotiated with the exclusive bargaining representative. Imposes conditions on any rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.

Amends the Personnel Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

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.

Encourages the Governor's Office of Management and Budget to utilize the funds available due to the increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, also known as FMAP, along with funds available in the Health and Human Services Medicaid Trust Fund and funds available in the Community Mental Health Medicaid Trust Fund to maintain appropriation levels supporting current community care provided by mental health and substance misuse treatment community providers and increase funding to pay the State's obligations in a timely fashion.

Expresses the General Assembly's support for the "25x'25 Vision" and its goal of having agriculture provide renewable energy and safe and affordable food and fiber.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Includes disabled persons within the provisions granting an assessment freeze homestead exemption to senior citizens. Changes the name to the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (now Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption). Makes corresponding changes to a cross-reference to the exemption. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act. Permits a unit of local government to require homeowners who maintain a private sewage disposal system within the unit of local government to provide verification, on an annual basis, to the unit of local government of a valid contract with a licensed private sewage disposal system installation contractor. Effective immediately.

Congratulates the Hinckley-Big Rock Lady Royals basketball team on winning the Class 1A State Championship.

Congratulates the Rochelle Township High School 2008 Dairy Foods Team on the occasion of winning the State championship at the 2008 State FFA Dairy Foods Career Development Event.