Rep. Mike Boland

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the State aid formula.

Amends the General Homestead Exemption provisions of the Property Tax Code. Provides that in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants if the assessed valuation of property has increased by more than 20% over the previous assessed valuation of that property, an additional exemption is allowed, with the amount of the additional exemption determined by household income. Effective immediately.

Amends the Women's Business Ownership Act. Provides that the Act is repealed on September 1, 2008 (now September 1, 2004). Effective immediately.

Amends the Community Senior Services and Resources Act. Authorizes the Director of Aging to accept monetary bequests and gifts for deposit into the Community Senior Services and Resources Fund. Directs the Department on Aging, in conjunction with the Community Senior Services and Resource Center Advisory Committee, to design an awareness campaign that can be implemented by senior services and resource centers at their individual expense. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Deletes a provision that includes beginning and ending dates for the operation of a Great START (Strategy to Attract and Retain Teachers) program. Deletes provisions (i) requiring a working committee of the Child and Development Advisory Council of the Department of Human Services to make certain recommendations concerning the Great START program by October 1, 2000 and (ii) requiring the Department to evaluate the Great START program, gather data on the program, and submit a report to the General Assembly by December 31, 2002. Effective immediately.

Congratulates James Buck as he retires after 37 years of service with the Moline Fire Department.

Recognizes the closing of the Skateland skating rink and the profound effect the establishment had in the East Moline area.

Mourns the death in Iraq of U.S. Army National Guard Sergeant Landis Garrison of Rapids City.

Proposes to amend the Executive Article of the Illinois Constitution. Eliminates the Offices of the Comptroller and Treasurer. Provides instead for a single State Fiscal Officer. Provides that the State Fiscal Officer shall (i) maintain the State's central fiscal accounts and order payments into and out of the funds held by him or her, (ii) be responsible for the safekeeping and investment of monies and securities deposited with him or her, and for their disbursement upon his or her order, and (iii) have the duties and powers that may be prescribed by law. Effective upon being declared adopted, with the first State Fiscal Officer elected in 2006. No Comptroller or Treasurer shall be elected after 2002.

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Changes the terms of members of the General Assembly. Provides that Senators elected in 2006 shall serve six-year terms, those elected in 2008 shall serve four-year terms, and those elected in 2010 shall serve two-year terms. Provides that Representatives elected in 2006 shall serve four-year terms and those elected in 2010 shall serve two-year terms. Provides that in each ten-year period beginning in 2012, Senators shall be elected for terms of six years and then for terms of four years or for terms of four years and then for terms of six years. Provides that Representatives shall first be elected for terms of four years, then for terms of two years, and then for terms of four years. Provides that whenever a seat in either house becomes vacant with more than 28 months remaining in the term, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment until the next general election, at which time a replacement shall be elected to serve for the remainder of the term. Provides that the General Assembly shall be a continuous body for a period beginning and ending at noon on the second Wednesday of January of consecutive odd-numbered years. Effective upon being declared adopted. Applies to the election of members of the General Assembly in 2006 and thereafter; does not affect the terms of members elected before 2006.