Sen. Edward D. Maloney

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning certificates of title.

Amends the School Code. Requires that certain contracts involving an expenditure in excess of $25,000 or a lower amount as required by school board policy (rather than $10,000) be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Changes an exception with respect to contracts for repair, maintenance, remodeling, renovation, or construction or a single project involving an expenditure not to exceed $50,000 (rather than $20,000). Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Illinois Community College Board.

Amends the Illinois Library System Act. Increases the amount of certain grants from the State to public and school libraries. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Requires the Treasurer to post information on his or her official website concerning the investment of public funds. Sets forth the required information. Does not require posting of information that is exempt from inspection and copying under the Freedom of Information Act.

Amends the School Code. Requires the Chicago Board of Education to develop a plan for implementing a program that seeks to establish common bonds between youth of various backgrounds and ethnicities, which must be similar to that of the Challenge Day organization.

Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act. Provides that charges for removal or discharge of a civil service employee of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District must be filed with the civil service board within 30 days from the date of suspension. Provides that those charges shall be promptly investigated by the civil service board (now, the civil service board must conduct an investigation within 30 days from the date of suspension). Provides that the employee's suspension shall be extended until the civil service board enters a finding unless the board approves an agreement to terminate the suspension at an earlier date. Provides that either the district or the employee may file a petition for rehearing within 21 days after the finding and decision are served. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. With respect to the Monetary Award Program, provides that the maximum grant amount must not exceed $5,468 for fiscal year 2009, $5,968 for fiscal year 2010, and $6,468 for fiscal year 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter (instead of $4,968). Provides that the maximum grant amount for students not subject to this provision must be increased by the same percentage as any increase made by law to such provision. Removes the provision that limits the grant amount to an amount that equals 2 semesters or 3 quarters tuition and fees. Effective July 1, 2008.

Mourns the death of Joseph L. Graham.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, each State Scholar who enrolls or is enrolled in an institution of higher learning in this State shall also receive a one-time grant of $1,000 to be applied to tuition and mandatory fees and paid directly to the institution of higher learning. Adds a provision concerning the rulemaking authority of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission as it relates to the State Scholar Program.