Calls upon the United States Senate to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
Amends the Illinois State Auditing Act. Provides for the establishment and operation within the Office of the Auditor General of an Appropriations Earmark Unit to conduct performance audits of earmarked appropriations that become law. Requires operation of a telephone hot line to receive anonymous suggestions for audits of grant programs and earmarked appropriations. Requires the audits to be public records and filed with the Legislative Audit Commission. Requires a majority vote of the Commission in order to direct the Auditor General to cease conducting an audit. Effective July 1, 2009.
Mourns the death of Jesus Gabriel Martinez of Chatham, formerly of Springfield.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Appropriates $4,500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education for the Grow Your Own Teacher Education Initiative. Effective July 1, 2008.
Amends the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Act. Changes the name to the Energy Efficient Building Act. Provides a definition of "building". Applies the Act to all buildings (now, all commercial buildings). Provides that any unit of local government that has adopted the efficiency standards of the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code, with the 2001 supplement, on or before January 1, 2007, may continue to regulate energy efficient building standards under that Code. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Deletes the provision that refunds with respect to the earned income tax credit are subject to the availability of funds from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant and the State's ability to meet its required Maintenance of Effort. Effective immediately.
Amends the Chicago Teachers Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that attainment of age 18 does not terminate the children's pension of a child who is disabled and was dependent upon a deceased teacher at the time of his or her death. Provides that, if there is no eligible surviving spouse or eligible child of a deceased teacher, his or her parent is entitled to a survivor's pension if he or she was dependent upon the deceased teacher at the time of his or her death. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Creates the Nursing Care and Quality Improvement Act. Provides that each hospital shall implement a staffing plan that (i) provides adequate, appropriate, and quality delivery of health care services, (ii) protects patient safety, and (iii) is consistent with the requirements of the Act. Sets forth the minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios required in a unit of a hospital during each shift in that unit. Sets forth development and reevaluation requirements for the staffing plan. Prohibits a hospital from discharging, discriminating against, or retaliating against (i) a nurse in any manner with respect to any aspect of employment based on the nurse's refusal of a work assignment under certain conditions or (ii) a nurse or any individual, who, in good faith, reports a violation of the Act, initiates, cooperates, or otherwise participates in an investigation or proceeding under the Act, or informs or discusses with other individuals or with representatives of hospital employees a violation or suspected violation of the Act. Sets forth penalties for violation of the Act.
Amends the Counties Code. Repeals Sections creating and establishing the Board of the Department of Corrections. Provides that the Sheriff shall appoint the Director of the Department of Corrections with the advice and consent of the county board (instead of from a list of nominations by the Board of the Department of Corrections).
