Congratulates the people of Elm City Center of Jacksonville as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of Elm City Center.
Amends the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning posting of certain notices.
Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Subject to appropriation, requires the Department of Natural Resources to establish a one-year pilot program to reduce asian carp by stimulating their bulk harvest in the Illinois River and by increasing the number of native fish. Requires the Department to issue a report with the results of the Asian Carp Reduction Pilot Program to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2010. Imposes conditions on any rulemaking authority. Repeals these added provisions on January 1, 2011. 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 Mobile Home Local Services Tax Enforcement Act. Provides that at any time before a judgment and order of sale is entered in any proceeding to collect or to enjoin the collection of taxes, the owner may file an affidavit with the board of review that the tax bill is in error as to the square footage or as to the rate of tax. The board, with the consent of the chief county assessment officer, may issue the person erroneously assessed a certificate of error. The certificate may be used in evidence in any court of competent jurisdiction. Effective immediately.
Amends the Carnival and Amusement Rides Safety Act. Makes various changes regarding: applying for a permit to operate an amusement ride or amusement attraction at a carnival or fair; penalties for violation of the Act; notices and fact-finding conferences; procedures relating to criminal history records checks and checks of the National Sex Offender Public Registry; exemption of an amusement ride or amusement attraction that is subject to inspection by a political division of the State from the provisions of the Act; and exemption of carnival workers who are foreign nationals and have been granted visas by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in conjunction with the United States Department of Labor's H-2B or J-1 programs and are lawfully admitted into the United States from the background check requirement. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Creates the Innovation, Intervention, and Restructuring Task Force for the purpose of developing strategies to allow for the innovation, intervention, and restructuring of schools, including those that need comprehensive or focused intervention. Requires the task force to submit its strategies for allowing intervention and innovation, in the form of recommendations, in a comprehensive report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the State Superintendent of Education not later than December 31, 2009. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. With respect to sick leave for teachers (other than in the Chicago school district), provides that a school board may require a certificate from a physician, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or spiritual adviser or practitioner as a basis for pay during leave after an absence of 30 days for birth. Provides that for paid sick leave for adoption or placement for adoption, the school board may require that the teacher or other employee provide evidence that the formal adoption process is underway, and such leave is limited to 30 days unless a longer leave has been negotiated with the exclusive bargaining representative. Imposes conditions on any rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.
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.
Directs the Auditor General to conduct an audit of exemptions granted by the Civil Service Commission.
