Rep. Richard P. Myers

Amends the Uniform Commercial Code by adding a new Article with the short title of Uniform Commercial Code-Guaranteed Prepayments of Agricultural Goods. Provides that "in the event that the recipient of monies for agricultural goods becomes insolvent, the purchaser shall receive a payment equal to the monies paid for agricultural goods not delivered" and "in the event that the recipient of monies for agricultural goods enters into insolvency proceedings, the purchaser shall serve as the first secured creditor in the insolvency proceedings". Amends the Secured Transactions Article of the Uniform Commercial Code. Creates a production-money security interest in production-money crops. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Creates the Professional Teacher Standards Board consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor to administer the Article of the School Code governing the certification of teachers and other certificated school personnel and the approval of teacher and administrator preparation programs. Gives the Professional Teacher Standards Board all powers and duties currently exercised by the State Board of Education and the State Teacher Certification Board with respect to administration of the certification and program approval process, and abolishes the State Teacher Certification Board. Authorizes the Professional Teacher Standards Board to employ an Executive Director and such other staff members as are necessary to exercise its powers and duties and carry out its functions. Provides that a Standard Certificate may be renewed based on proof of professional development (instead of on proof of continuing education or professional development). Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the State Finance Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a person elected or appointed to the office of regional superintendent of schools must have and maintain his or her principal residence within the educational service region he or she was elected or appointed to administer. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes technical changes in the short title Section.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that no transfers may be made, in order to help defray the State's operating costs for the fiscal year, from the Road Fund or the State Construction Account Fund on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Western Illinois University Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the powers and duties of the Board of Trustees.

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the purpose of the Act.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board to study privatization of student living at public universities and report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2006. Effective immediately.

Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Requires each food service establishment to maintain and make available upon a customer's request a notice of food ingredients to alert a food allergy sufferer to any potential reaction from consuming a particular menu item. Requires each food service establishment to post a sign informing the customers of their right to obtain that list upon request.