Rep. Aaron Schock

Amends the School Code. With regard to funds appropriated from the Driver Education Fund to the State Board of Education for reimbursement to school districts for providing driver education, provides that (i) as soon as may be after each quarter of the year, the State Comptroller shall draw his or her warrants upon the State Treasurer as directed by the State Board of Education, (ii) the warrant for each quarter shall be in an amount equal to one-fourth of the total amount to be distributed to school districts for the year, and (iii) payments shall be made to school districts as soon as may be after receipt of the warrants. Effective immediately.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board to implement and administer a statewide program, using the World Wide Web, to assist students, advisors, faculty, and administrators from public and private institutions of higher education in obtaining consistent and accurate information about transfer courses and their applicability towards degree completion by publishing course equivalency guides, academic programs, courses offered, transfer course evaluations, and degree requirements. Effective immediately.

Amends the Technology Development Act. Creates a Technology Development Fund for use by the State Treasurer in paying the expenses of investments from the Technology Development Account. Permits the State Treasurer to use any excess for grants to schools to buy computers and to upgrade technology. Permits the State Treasurer to deposit up to 10% of the earnings on Account investments into the Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a pilot program to provide TANF recipients with assistance in obtaining a post-secondary education degree. Provides that this assistance may include moneys for the payment of tuition, but the Department may not use any moneys appropriated for the operation of the TANF program to pay for tuition under the pilot program. Requires the Department to enter into an interagency agreement with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the administration of the pilot program. Requires the Department to evaluate whether having a post-secondary education degree increases a TANF recipient's earnings and to report the results of the evaluation to the General Assembly by January 1, 2008. Effective January 1, 2006.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Illinois Steel Development Board as an advisory body to the Department. Requires the Board to advise and make recommendations on the research, marketing, and promotion of American steel and the Illinois steel industry. Specifies the composition of the Board, including members appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation and members appointed by the legislative leaders.

Amends the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning applications for certification.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 and the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a person convicted of domestic battery in which the domestic battery is committed in the presence of a child must pay the counseling costs of any child under 18 (rather than 16) years of age in whose presence the domestic battery was committed (rather than a child who is the defendant's or victim's child or step-child or who is a minor child residing within the household of the defendant or victim).

Congratulates the Peoria Richwoods High School Lady Knights on winning the 2005 Class AA girls basketball state championship.

Congratulates the Peoria Richwoods High School Lady Knights on winning the 2005 Class AA girls basketball state championship.