Sen. Kwame Raoul

Amends the Public Construction Bond Act. Authorizes the Capital Development Board to waive the requirement of a surety bond for a public construction contract if (i) the contractor is a small business enterprise and (ii) the otherwise required bond amount plus other surety bond amounts waived by the Board from small business enterprises, with respect to projects that are not yet complete, does not exceed $2,000,000. Defines a small business enterprise. Authorizes the Board to adopt implementing rules. Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the Safe Homes Act. Provides that a landlord may not disclose to others that a tenant or a member of the tenant's household exercised rights under the Act or any information provided by them to the landlord under the Act, except in civil proceedings or when the tenant or a member of the tenant's household who is the victim waives this restriction. Provides that furnishing evidence to support a claim of domestic or sexual violence against a tenant or a household member shall not waive any confidentiality or privilege that may exist between the victim and a third party. Provides that certain remedies available to a landlord or tenant are the sole and exclusive remedies for violations of the lock-change provisions of the Act (instead of providing that those remedies provided to a landlord or tenant are "sole and exclusive" without regard to the type of violation). Provides that a landlord who violates these provisions by disclosing confidential information is liable for damages resulting from the disclosure or $2,000, whichever is greater, along with attorney's fees and costs. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that moneys in the State Pensions Fund shall be used for the funding of the unfunded liabilities of the 5 State-funded retirement systems (rather than for payment of or repayment to the General Revenue Fund of a portion of the required State contributions to the designated retirement systems). Provides that the payments to the designated retirement systems shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any State contributions required under the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, for fiscal year 2010 and each fiscal year thereafter, as soon as may be practical after any money is deposited into the State Pensions Fund from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund, the State Treasurer shall apportion the deposited amount to the designated retirement systems to reduce their actuarial reserve deficiencies. Provides that the amount apportioned to each designated retirement system shall constitute a portion of the amount estimated to be available for appropriation from the State Pensions Fund that is the same as that retirement system's portion of the total actuarial reserve deficiency of the systems. Makes conforming changes in the Illinois Pension Code, the State Pension Funds Continuing Appropriation Act, and the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Interstate Compact for Juveniles Act of 2008. Provides for the adoption by Illinois of the Interstate Compact for Juveniles. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Establishes purposes for the Interstate Compact for Juveniles. Provides that the Department of Juvenile Justice shall administer the Interstate Compact for Juveniles, with respect to all juveniles under its jurisdiction, and shall cooperate with the Department of Human Services with regard to all non-offender juveniles subject to the Interstate Compact for Juveniles. Authorizes the Governor to enter into the Interstate Compact for Juveniles. Increases the membership on the State Council for Interstate Compacts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that immediately upon the filing of a petition for a detention or shelter care hearing in the case of a minor retained in custody, the court shall cause counsel to be appointed to represent the minor. Provides that a detention or shelter care hearing may not be held until the minor has had adequate opportunity to consult with counsel.

Mourns the death of Bernard Jeffrey McCollough, more famously known as the comedian Bernie Mac.

Amends the School Code. Allows for the continuation of the distribution of funds by the State Board of Education to achieve a goal of "Preschool for All Children" by removing certain provisions that limit this distribution to a time period from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008. Effective July 1, 2008.

Mourns the death of Leon Finney Sr. of Chicago.

Appropriates $64,200,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department on Aging for vendors of homemaker, chore, and housekeeping services to increase the wages paid to employees who provide homemaker, chore, and housekeeping services and to provide health insurance coverage to those employees and their dependents. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election code. Permits high school juniors who meet certain criteria to be appointed judges of election. Effective immediately.