Rep. Patrick J. Verschoore

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning bond.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the transportation of pupils.

Amends provisions of the Minimum Wage Law establishing an employer's liability for punitive damages in the case of underpayment of wages by stating that "the employee may recover such punitive damages in any proceeding or action allowed by any provision of this subsection, including, but not limited to, a civil action filed directly by the employee, and, subject to the limitations period set forth herein, the employee's remedy of recovering punitive damages in any proceeding or action allowed by any provision of this subsection shall be available in and applicable to all claims and causes of action under this subsection, whenever arising, including, without limitation, presently existing claims and actions for which a final and no-longer appealable order has not yet been entered". Effective immediately.

Creates the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority Act. Establishes the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority in Franklin, Perry, Randolph, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Pulaski, and Massac counties in order to promote economic development within those counties. Contains provisions concerning the powers and duties of the Authority. Allows the Authority to acquire, own, sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of interests in real property and to issue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness for certain purposes in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000,000. Provides that the Authority shall be governed by a 21-member board. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title and policy of the Act.

Amends the School Code. Creates a new Article concerning the conversion and formation of school districts. Contains provisions concerning school district conversions; combined school district formation; unit school district formation; partial elementary unit school district formation; petitions; the holding of an election; taxes, bonds, and working cash funds; the effective date of a change; a map showing the change; assets, liabilities, bonded indebtedness, and tax rates; teachers in contractual continued service; limitations on contesting boundary changes; a limitation on successive petitions; a school district's nonrecognition status; unit district formation and a joint agreement vocational education program; and incentives. Repeals provisions concerning unit school district conversion in districts with not more than 250 students in grades 9 through 12, unit school district formation, school district combination, school district conversion, and supplementary State aid for new, annexing, and resulting districts. Makes related changes in the School Code and Election Code. Effective July 1, 2006.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that alcoholic liquors may be delivered to and sold at retail or dispensed at facilities, properties, and buildings under the jurisdiction of the Historic Sites and Preservation Division of the Historic Preservation Agency or the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum by an individual or organization (now, a not-for-profit organization).

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Makes a technical change in a definitions Section.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Increases from within 500 feet to within 2,000 feet the distance from which a child sex offender may not loiter near a school or public park. Increases from within 500 feet to within 2,000 feet the distance from which a child sex offender may not reside near a school, playground, or a facility providing programs or services exclusively directed toward persons under 18 years of age or from a victim under 21 years of age.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that the taking of a doe pursuant to an either-sex permit during the first open season shall not count towards any bag or possession limit under the Act. Sets forth that no Deer Hunting Permit fee shall be assessed for an antlerless only permit in a county in which a separate harvest period was authorized by the Department in the previous season.