Sen. Elgie Sims

Amends the School Code to provide that each school year, on or before the September fall enrollment count, the maximum number of students assigned to each teacher who is teaching courses in public school classrooms for grades kindergarten through 12 may not exceed 27 students, which must be maintained after the September fall enrollment count. Requires the State Board of Education to annually calculate class size based upon the September fall enrollment count. Provides that nothing shall be construed as preventing a school district from requiring a class size smaller than the class size required by the amendatory Act. Effective July 1, 2017.

Appropriates $7,000,000 from the Solid Waste Management Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the purpose of implementing a recycling and composting grant program pursuant to the Illinois Solid Waste Management Act. Effective July 1, 2016.

Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Task Force on Motor Fuel Pricing. Sets forth the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall study disparities in the selling price of motor fuel in different geographic areas of the State. Provides that the Task Force shall submit its findings to the General Assembly no later than June 30, 2016.

Amends the Probation and Probation Officers Act. Provides that the Division of Probation Services shall establish training standards for continuing education of probation officers and supervisors and broaden access to available training programs. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that in imposing a sentence for a Class 3 or 4 felony, other than a violent crime as defined in the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act, the court shall determine and indicate in the sentencing order whether the defendant has 4 or more or fewer than 4 months remaining on his or her sentence accounting for time served. Provides that an offender sentenced to a term of imprisonment for a Class 3 or 4 felony, other than a violent crime as defined in the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act, in which the sentencing order indicates that the offender has less than 4 months remaining on his or her sentence accounting for time served may not be confined in the penitentiary system of the Department of Corrections but may be assigned to electronic home detention, an adult transition center, or another facility or program within the Department of Corrections. Effective January 1, 2018.

Creates the Illinois Home Grown Business Opportunity Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall develop an economic plan to assist businesses and municipalities located geographically close to bordering states. Provides that the plan shall take into account relevant economic data, including input from local economic development officials, and identify and develop specific strategies for utilizing the assets of those regions of the State located geographically close to bordering states, so that those regions may compete economically with bordering states. Requires the plan to include certain economic assessments, recommendations, and resources relevant to assisting businesses and municipalities located near bordering states. Requires that the information and resources collected and established under the plan shall be available to the public and posted on the Department's Internet website. Defines terms.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to appropriation, for a person who is a resident in a facility licensed under the ID/DD Community Care Act or the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act for whom payments are made throughout a month and who is determined to be eligible for medical assistance, the State shall pay an amount in addition to the minimum monthly personal needs allowance authorized under the Social Security Act so that the person's total monthly personal needs allowance from both State and federal sources equals $60. Effective immediately.

Amends the Police and Community Relations Improvement Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the general purposes of the Code.

Expresses support for the London Towne Houses Cooperative's decision to name a building after Ida Curtis Fisher and recognizes her life.