Rep. Michael K. Smith

Amends the Downstate Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the term "act of duty" shall include any term or condition of employment assigned to any firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMT), or paramedic by his or her employing entity and is not limited in any fashion to a firefighting activity that involves a special risk of the occupation. Specifies that any activity performed by a firefighter, EMT, or paramedic assigned by a supervisor directly or indirectly constitutes an act of duty, including, but not limited to, routine maintenance, housekeeping chores, clerical tasks, and other assigned duties. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the members of the State Board of Education.

Amends the Township Code, the Municipal Code, and the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that townships, municipalities, and fire protection districts may fix, charge, and collect reasonable fees from certain parties for providing specialized rescue services. Defines "specialized rescue services".

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Authorizes the Agency to collect and solicit citizen complaints alleging a violation of the Act, any rule adopted under the Act, a permit granted by the Agency, or a condition of a permit via telephone, website, fax, mail, e-mail, or any other reasonable means. Provides that the Agency may accept citizen complaints that are anonymous and unaccompanied by the name and mailing address of the complainant, except that, for complaints alleging a violation arising out of agricultural production, the complainant must provide his or her name and mailing address. Sets forth that the Agency must keep the name and address of the complainant confidential, subject to certain penalties. Exempts the name and address of these complainants from public disclosure under provisions of the Act authorizing reasonable public inspection. Defines "agricultural production". Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that "master principal designation program" shall also be known as the Illinois Distinguished Principal Leadership Institute. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Public Aid Code to provide coverage for heart disease prevention tests for women. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. In school districts other than the Chicago school district, reduces the probationary period of time before a teacher enters upon contractual continued service from 4 to 3 consecutive school terms. Provides that the provisions concerning a teacher's entrance into contractual continued service after a probationary period of 3 consecutive school terms apply to the Chicago school district (now, the appointment of a teacher in the Chicago school district becomes permanent after a probationary period of 4 years). Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Tax Shelter Voluntary Compliance Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning regulations.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning teacher certification.