Sen. Edward D. Maloney

Recognizes international education as an essential component of higher education.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. In a Section concerning funding for children requiring special education services, provides that for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter, individual school districts must not receive payments under that Section totaling less than they received for fiscal year 2007. Sets forth guidelines for the calculation, including making the calculation a separate calculation from any other in the Section. Effective immediately.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning advising and counseling the Governor.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the registration for a tax sale in a county with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants must be accompanied by a deposit in an amount determined by the county collector, but not to exceed $250 in counties with less than 50,000 inhabitants or $500 in all other counties, which shall be applied to the amount due on the properties that the registrant has purchased, and, if the registrant does not participate in the sale, then the deposit is forfeited to the Tax Sale Automation Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Cook County Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the plan of optional alternative benefits and contributions for Cook county officers elected by vote of the people only applies to county officers elected by vote of the people on or before the effective date of the amendatory Act. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that bicycle and pedestrian ways shall be given full consideration in the planning and development of transportation facilities, including the incorporation of such ways into State-funded transportation plans and programs. Provides that bicycle and pedestrian ways shall be established in conjunction with the construction, reconstruction, or other change of any State transportation facility, and special emphasis shall be given to projects in or within one mile of an urban area. Provides for exceptions. Requires the Department of Transportation to establish design and construction standards for bicycle and pedestrian ways. Effective July 1, 2007.

Directs the Illinois Community College Board, the State Board of Education, and the Board of Higher Education to develop a plan for using the Prairie State Achievement Examination to gauge students' college readiness and develop a new high school feedback report.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning a high school equivalency testing program.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that any towing service that tows or removes a disabled vehicle with the permission of the owner, operator, or person in control of the vehicle shall provide that person with a document, signed by both the driver of the tow truck and that person, that sets forth specified information, including the estimated cost of the tow. Provides that violation of the provision is a petty offense punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000. Provides that the provision applies only in counties having a population of more than 3,000,000 and in counties with a population of more than 250,000 and less than 3,000,000 that are contiguous to a county with a population of more than 3,000,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a salvage certificate may be assigned to any municipal fire department (as well as to any licensed rebuilder, automotive parts recycler, scrap processor, or out-of-state salvage vehicle buyer).