Rep. Michael K. Smith

Amends the State Finance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "taxing district". Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.

Amends the Counties Code and the Fire Investigation Act. Provides that in every case in which a fire is determined to be a contributing factor in a death, the coroner shall report the death to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Provides that the coroner shall make the report in writing (i) within 7 days after the determination that a fire was a contributing factor in the death and (ii) in the form and manner prescribed by the State Fire Marshal. Effective immediately.

Amends the Child Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act. Includes in the definition of "violent offense against youth" aggravated battery of a child, aggravated battery of an unborn child, ritualized abuse of a child, domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery, and heinous battery, if the victim is under 18 years of age. Eliminates from the definition of "violent offense against youth" that the defendant is not a parent of the victim. Effective immediately.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Creates the STEM Teachers Loan Repayment Program to encourage academically talented Illinois students to enter and continue teaching in Illinois schools in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to administer the program. Subject to a separate appropriation made for such purposes, provides that each year the Commission shall award a grant to each qualified applicant in an amount equal to the amount of higher education loans he or she must repay that year. Provides that an applicant must agree to teach in a public secondary school in this State in the field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics for a period of at least 5 years beginning with the first year of acceptance of a grant. Provides for repayment of the grant amount if a grant recipient fails to fulfill this teaching requirement. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning boards of education.

Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Makes technical changes in Sections concerning the short titles.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, when assessing payment for any amount due for earnings increases in excess of 6%, the System shall exclude payments for induction or mentoring. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code and the Board of Higher Education Act. Makes technical changes in the short title provisions.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code and the Fire Protection District Act. Sets forth alternative procedures for appointments to full-time fire departments. Provides for the creation of a register of eligibles for original appointments to fire departments. Sets forth the requirements for placement on the register of eligibles. Provides that a local commission may also hire from a statewide master register of eligibles for original appointments. Sets forth the requirements for placement on the master register. Provides for the award of preference points for eligible persons. Sets forth the procedure for awarding preference points for fire cadet, veteran, paramedic, educational, and experience preferences. Denies home rule powers. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning regional superintendents of schools.