Sen. Dan Cronin

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Reduces the amounts various fees to be collected by the Environmental Protection Agency. Sets forth new procedures for the collection of NPDES fees and requires that all moneys collected from the fees be deposited into the Illinois Clean Water Fund. Repeals Sections concerning air pollution operating permit fees and fees for water quality certification. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Clean Water Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. In provisions requiring individual taxpayers to add distributions from qualified tuition programs other than those administered by the State of Illinois back into adjusted gross income, provides that distributions do not have to be added back if they are from qualified tuition programs that are administered by a state that has passed a law that provides an unlimited state tax deduction for moneys distributed from a qualified tuition program administered by the State of Illinois. In provisions authorizing a deduction for contributions to a College Savings Pool account under the State Treasurer Act, also allows a deduction for contributions to the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Trust Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning uniformity of taxes.

Amends the State Property Control Act. Prohibits any State official, employee, or agent from granting naming or sponsorship rights, by any means, for State property to any entity with respect to advertising, promoting, or representing tobacco or tobacco related interests. Requires that any grant of naming or sponsorship rights must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate ethics commission. Effective immediately.

Proposes to amend Section 2 of Article X of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that the State Superintendent of Education shall be nominated at the general primary election and elected at the general election to serve a term of 4 years beginning on the second Monday of January following his or her election. Establishes eligibility criteria for the office and ballot placement for the election. Provides for the manner of filling a vacancy in the office of State Superintendent of Education. Requires the State Superintendent of Education (instead of allowing the State Board of Education) to establish goals, determine policies, provide for planning and evaluating education programs, and recommend financing, and requires the State Board of Education to advise the State Superintendent of Education concerning these duties. Provides for the following Schedule: (i) a State Superintendent of Education shall be elected in 2006 and thereafter, (ii) the term of office of the appointed State Superintendent of Education expires when the first elected State Superintendent of Education takes office, and (iii) the Constitutional Amendment otherwise takes effect when the first elected State Superintendent of Education takes office.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the State aid formula.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Department's powers and duties.

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Adds to the list of State employees who must file statements of economic interests those who negotiate, assign, authorize, or grant naming or sponsorship rights to State property or assets. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall include, in the annual service needs report regarding autism submitted to the General Assembly, a plan to provide family support mechanisms to enable persons with autism to remain in a family home environment. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Extends Medicaid eligibility for continued home-based skilled or intermediate care to persons age 21 or older (under current law, eligibility is limited to persons under age 21). Requires an annual determination of need for that level of care and requires the Department of Human Services to make an annual report concerning services provided and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. In a Section concerning the loan of textbooks to students free of charge, provides that "textbook" includes science curriculum materials in a kit format that includes pre-packaged consumable materials if certain requirements are met. Effective immediately.