Proposes to amend the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution concerning crime victim's rights. Provides that in addition to other rights provided in the Constitutional provision, a crime victim has the right to: (1) be free from harassment, intimidation, and abuse; (2) refuse to disclose information that is privileged or confidential by law; (3) timely notification of post-trial proceedings; (4) be heard in person or in any other reasonable manner the victim chooses at any proceeding involving a post-arraignment release decision, plea, sentencing, post-conviction or post-adjudication release decision, or any proceeding in which a right of the victim is at issue; (5) receive a report prepared for sentencing, reduction in sentence, parole, early release, or clemency, when available to the accused; and (6) have the safety of the victim and the victim's family considered in denying or fixing the amount of bail, determining whether to release the defendant, and setting conditions of release after arrest and conviction. Provides that nothing in this Constitutional provision creates any cause of action for compensation or damages against the State, any political subdivision of the State, any officer, employee, or agent of the State or of any of its political subdivisions, or any officer or employee of the court. Effective upon being declared adopted.
Sponsored bills
Mourns the death of Frederic Earl Schneider of Williamsville.
Designates the first week in May of 2012 as Bungalow Appreciation Week in the State of Illinois.
Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act. Adds to the definition of "construction purposes" alterations, enlargements, and replacements that add appreciably to the value, utility, or useful life of administrative buildings. Authorizes a sanitary district to issue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness for administrative buildings. Effective immediately.
Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Allows an additional 5 charter schools devoted exclusively to students from low-performing or overcrowded schools to operate at any one time in Chicago. Defines "low-performing school" and "overcrowded school". Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Increases the fine for improperly displaying a slow-moving vehicle emblem from $25 to $75 for a first offense. Effective immediately.
Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. In a Section concerning the underrepresentation of certain groups in higher education, requires the Board of Higher Education to require all public institutions of higher education to track the status of those students who are the first in their family to attend an institution of higher education. With respect to the Board's annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor, requires the report to include, with respect to each public institution of higher education, the status of those students who are the first in their family to attend an institution of higher education.
Amends the Toll Highway Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning powers of the Toll Highway Authority.
Amends the School Code. Provides that at the time of annual enrollment or at any time during the school year, a school district or a recognized non-public school serving any of grades kindergarten through 12 shall provide, either on its standard enrollment form or on a separate form, the opportunity for the individual enrolling the student to voluntarily state whether the student has a parent or guardian who is a member of a branch of the armed forces of the United States and who is either deployed to active duty or expects to be deployed to active duty during the school year. Requires each school district and recognized non-public school to report this enrollment information as aggregate data to the State Board of Education under the Student Information System (SIS). Effective immediately.
Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Provides for a civil penalty of up to $5,000 when any employer or person violates sections of the Act prohibiting an employer or person from interfering or discouraging another from exercising his or her rights under the Act.