Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that, in the development of the individualized education program for a student who has a disability on the autism spectrum, the IEP team shall consider and shall specifically address certain factors. Provides that consideration of these factors shall result in the clarification of a school district's responsibility to deliver appropriate educational services for children with disabilities on the autism spectrum, but shall not be construed to require or mandate any specific services. Effective January 1, 2008.

Amends the Election Code. Permits State non-partisan civic organizations that meet certain criteria to appoint precinct pollwatchers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Provides an alternative time for filing a claim: that a crime victim may file a claim within one year after the criminal indictment of a person for a crime upon which the claim is based (now, within 2 years of the crime).

Amends the Vehicle Code. Provides that each school district in the State shall have in place, by January 1, 2008, a policy to ensure that the school bus driver is the last person leaving every school bus and that no passenger is left behind or remains on the vehicle at the end of a route, a work shift, or the work day. Establishes requirements for the policy. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that, with prior notification to the State's Attorney of the county in which it is to occur, recording or listening with the aid of any device to any conversation taking place within or about any motor vehicle under the control and direction of a law enforcement officer, under circumstances where the use of the device is necessary for the detection or investigation of the theft of that motor vehicle is exempt from the Code's eavesdropping provisions. Requires the Director of State Police to issue regulations as are necessary concerning the use of devices, retention of tape recordings, and reports regarding their use. Provides that any recording or evidence derived as the result of the exemption is inadmissible in any proceeding, criminal, civil, or administrative, except for (i) the theft of the motor vehicle in question, (ii) the commission of any crime taking place within, or otherwise involving the use of, the motor vehicle in question, or (iii) when used as direct impeachment of a witness concerning matters contained in the interception or recording.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department may establish and administer a green cities grant program and a smart cities grant program.

Amends the School Code. Extends the time period during which a school district other than the Chicago school district may transfer moneys from specified funds for any purpose from June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2010. Effective immediately.

Urges the Governor to present a capital budget that includes $100,000,000, on an annual basis, for the Illinois Special Places Acquisition, Conservation and Enhancement (iSPACE) Program, which includes the following: (i) a new statewide land acquisition program to protect the State's most precious natural resources and provide recreational opportunities, including matching grants to local governments; (ii) implementation of the Partners for Conservation Program (formerly Conservation 2000) through land acquisition and management grants; and (iii) implementation of the Hunting Heritage Protection Act by increasing the amount of land acreage available for hunting opportunities in Illinois.

Congratulates Shirley LeClere on the occasion of her retirement from Nicholson Elementary School and on her new position at the Regional Office of Education of Kane County.

Reconstitutes the Commission to Study the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its Past and Present Effects on African-Americans created by SJR 31 of the 94th General Assembly.