Amends the War on Terrorism Compensation Act. Includes recipients of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal to the list of veterans entitled to receive compensation in the amount of $100 for their military service. Effective immediately.
Amends the Deposit of State Moneys Act. Provides that the State Treasurer may, with the approval of the Governor, invest State money in short-term obligations of corporations organized in the United States with assets exceeding $500,000,000 if, among other things, the obligations mature not later than 270 (instead of 180) days after the date of purchase. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. With respect to the Early Childhood Education Block Grant, provides that not less than 11% (instead of exactly 11%) of the grant shall be used to fund programs for children ages 0-3. Provides that this percentage shall increase to at least 20% by Fiscal Year 2015, except that if, in a given fiscal year, the amount appropriated for the Early Childhood Education Block Grant is insufficient to increase the percentage of the grant to fund programs for children ages 0-3 without reducing the amount of the grant for existing providers of preschool education programs, then the percentage of the grant to fund programs for children ages 0-3 may be held steady instead of increased. Effective July 1, 2009.
Amends the School Code and the Counties Code. Provides that it is a State's Attorney's duty to notify the State Superintendent of Education and others upon the conviction of any individual known to possess a certificate issued under the School Code of any of certain offenses or any other felony conviction. In the criminal history records check provisions of the School Code, makes changes concerning the offenses for which a school board may not knowingly employ a person. Provides that no one may be certified to teach or supervise in the public schools who has been convicted of certain offenses (instead of providing that in determining good character, any felony conviction of an applicant may be taken into consideration, but such a conviction shall not operate as a bar to registration). In provisions concerning suspension or revocation of a certificate, provides that the State Superintendent of Education has the exclusive authority to initiate the suspension of up to 5 calendar years or revocation of any certificate (instead of providing that a certificate may be suspended for a period not to exceed one calendar year by the regional superintendent of schools or for a period not to exceed 5 calendar years by the State Superintendent). With respect to certificate suspension and revocation, makes changes concerning an investigation, notice, a hearing, an appeal, and the offenses that are grounds for suspension and revocation. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2009.
Amends the Illinois Forestry Development Act. Changes "forestry management" to "forest management". Makes other name changes and revisions. Makes changes concerning cost share amounts and eligibility. Makes other changes. Creates the Forestry Development Council. Specifies the Council's membership and duties. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides that the Act applies to certain projects located outside of the State, if the project involves property or facilities that are owned, operated, leased, or managed by an entity located within the State. Sets forth criteria for approving out-of-State projects. Provides that the Authority shall not provide financing for any project, or portion of a project, located outside of the United States. Provides that the Authority shall not provide financing that constitutes an indebtedness of the State for any project, or portion of a project, located outside of the State. Provides that the Illinois Finance Authority may approve an application to finance or refinance a project located outside of the State only if the Authority has the ability to issue at least another $1,000,000,000 of bonds after giving effect to the financing or refinancing or the out-of-state project. Proposes that the Authority shall not provide financing that uses State volume cap under Section 146 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for a project located outside of the State. 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.
Creates the Illinois Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission to commemorate the 100th birthday of the visionary former President.
Designates the City of Dixon as "The Catfish Capital of Illinois".
