Sen. Dan Cronin

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act of the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, in no case, may the estimated dates of completion of a redevelopment project, the retirement of obligations to finance redevelopment project costs, and the maturity date of refunding obligations be extended later than December 31 of the year in which the payment to the municipal treasurer is to be made with respect to ad valorem taxes levied in the 35th calendar year after the year in which the ordinance approving the redevelopment project area is adopted. Effective immediately.

Creates the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact Act. Provides that this State and the other contracting states solemnly agree to the terms of the compact, whose purposes include the promotion of development and implementation of improvements to intercity passenger rail service in the Midwest. Establishes a Commission, with 4 members from each contracting state, serving without compensation from the Commission, to carry out the purposes of the compact. Provides for the election of Commission officers, for meetings and Commission administration, and for financing of the operations of the Commission by the compacting states. Provides that the compact becomes effective among the contracting states upon the agreement of 3 eligible states to participate. Provides for the admission of additional states to the compact, amendment of the compact, the withdrawal, default, or termination of contracting states, and construction and severability of the compact.

Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that if a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks or injures, whether directly or proximately, any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is strictly liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury sustained.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the maximum amount of the education expense credit from $500 to $1,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning expert witnesses.

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the application of the Act.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Allows an income tax credit for each individual taxpayer who is a teacher teaching in a school in Illinois. Provides that the amount of the credit is equal to the eligible classroom expenses made by the taxpayer during the taxable year, but the credit may not exceed $500. Defines "eligible classroom expenses" as the aggregate amount of nonreimbursed classroom expenses made by the taxpayer during the taxable year less $250. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Repeals a Section granting the State Board of Education the power to provide certain regional services. Effective immediately.

Creates the Continuing Appropriation for Categorical Education Funding Act. Provides that the Act constitutes an irrevocable and continuing appropriation from the Common School Fund of all amounts necessary if the General Assembly fails to make Common School Fund appropriations to the State Board of Education sufficient to fund the disbursement for programs that are described in the School Breakfast and Lunch Program Act and provisions of the School Code concerning children attending private schools, public out-of-state schools, public school residential facilities, or private special education facilities; children requiring extraordinary special education services and facilities; special education classes for children from orphanages, foster family homes, children's homes, or in State housing units; reimbursement for furnishing special educational facilities in a recognized school to children with disabilities; tuition of children from orphanages and children's homes; summer school grants; and reimbursement for transportation. Effective June 30, 2006.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning teacher certification.