Sen. Martin A. Sandoval

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning teacher tenure.

Creates the Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act and the Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force. Sets out the composition of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall develop a plan for expanding and supporting a State local and organic food system and for assessing and overcoming obstacles to an increase in locally grown food and local organic food production. Sets out the contents of the plan. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Local Organic Food and Farm Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act and the Child Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act. Provides that a person who becomes subject to registration under either Act who has previously been subject to registration under either Act or similar registration requirements of other jurisdictions shall register for the period of his or her natural life if not confined to a penal institution, hospital, or other institution or facility, and if confined, for the period of his or her natural life after parole, discharge, or release from any such facility. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the offense of pandering.

Amends the School Code. With respect to school districts other than Chicago, requires that certain contracts involving an expenditure in excess of $25,000 or a lower amount as required by local policy (rather than $10,000) be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Makes changes concerning the exceptions to this requirement, including an exception for contracts for services of corporations possessing a high degree of professional skill where ability and fitness play an important part, contracts for food services, contracts for utilities and related services when the cost is less than that offered by a local distribution company, and contracts for repair, maintenance, remodeling, renovation, or construction involving an expenditure not to exceed $50,000 (rather than $20,000). Adds an exception for contracts for the provision of motor vehicle fuel. Effective immediately.

Creates the Employee Classification Act. Provides that an individual performing services for a contractor is deemed to be an employee of the employer. Provides that an individual performing services for a contractor is deemed to be an employee of the contractor unless it is shown that: (1) the individual has been and will continue to be free from control or direction over the performance of the service for the contractor, both under the individual's contract of service and in fact; (2) the service performed by the individual is outside the usual course of services performed by the contractor; and (3) the individual is engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession or business; or (4) the individual is deemed a legitimate sole proprietor or partnership. Provides that subcontractors or lower tiered contractors are subject to all provisions of the Act. Provides that he Department of Labor shall post a summary of the requirements of this Act in English, Spanish, and Polish on its official web site and on bulletin boards in each of its offices. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for an employer or entity not to designate an individual as an employee under the Act unless the employer or entity satisfies the provisions of the Act. Provides for civil remedies and civil penalties. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2008.

Mourns the passing of Nancy Lopez DeLise.

Urges the Congress of the United States of America to enact the Employee Free Choice Act.

Amends the School Code. Allows the respective school boards of Berwyn North School District 98, Berwyn South School District 100, Cicero School District 99, and J.S. Morton High School District 201 to withdraw from the jurisdiction and authority of the trustees of schools of Cicero Township and the township treasurer, provided that the school board elects or appoints its own school treasurer. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Margaret Kunes.