Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to establish a Big Ten Feasibility Study Commission to deliberate and determine the feasibility of having another public university in this State become a part of the Big Ten Conference and how this might be accomplished, while remaining revenue neutral to this State. Sets forth the membership of the Commission, and provides that members shall serve without compensation and without reimbursement for their expenses. Requires the Commission to meet within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, to hold public hearings, to invite witnesses of interest, to take testimony, and to file a report with the General Assembly and the Board on or before January 1, 2016. Dissolves the Commission upon filing of the report, and repeals these provisions on January 1, 2017. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes units of local government to provide alternative retirement plans in lieu of or in addition to the existing plan under the applicable Article. Provides that the alternative retirement plan may include a defined-benefit component, a defined contribution component, or both, and may include disability or survivor benefits and any other benefits that are permitted under federal law. Provides that the alternative retirement plan is not required to provide any minimum level of benefits and need not provide any benefits at all, other than mandatory Social Security coverage if applicable. Provides that service credit received under an alternative retirement plan may not be transferred to any other fund and may not be used under the Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act (Article 20 of the Code). Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Provides that employers shall not be required to bargain over the changes made by the amendatory Act.
Creates the School Choice Act and amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the State aid formula provisions of the School Code. Establishes the School Choice Program, a pilot program that expires on June 30, 2025. Provides that under the program, the custodian of a qualifying pupil is entitled to a School Choice Voucher to pay for qualified education expenses at a participating Chicago nonpublic elementary school. Requires the principal of each low-performing school and of each overcrowded school in the Chicago school district to notify custodians of qualifying pupils of the availability of vouchers. Sets forth provisions concerning a request for a voucher, the issuance and payment of a voucher, the amount and renewal of a voucher, pupil assessment, the State longitudinal data system, and funding. Provides that students receiving vouchers are considered nonpublic school students who have been voluntarily placed in a private setting. Provides that the amount of a redeemed voucher shall not be considered base income and shall not be taxable for Illinois income tax purposes. Requires the State Board of Education to submit a report to the General Assembly. Provides criminal penalties for certain violations. Requires the State Board to adopt rules to implement the Act. Provides that the Act is repealed on July 1, 2025. Effective June 30, 2015.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for assessment years following the next general assessment after the effective date of the amendatory Act, no increase in assessment may exceed 2% per year. Provides exceptions for the valuation of property that is sold, transferred, or conveyed during the taxable year and for new improvements.
Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution. Limits a person's total service in the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, Minority Leader of the House, or Minority Leader of the Senate to a total of 10 years in any one office and 14 years combined in 2 or more offices. Effective upon being declared adopted and applies to service on or after the second Wednesday in January, 2017.
Amends the State Finance Act. Eliminates the requirement that funds transferred, as authorized for cash flow borrowing during fiscal year 2015, must be repaid within 18 months. Effective immediately.
Creates the School Choice Act and amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the State aid formula provisions of the School Code. Establishes the School Choice Program, a pilot program that expires on June 30, 2025. Provides that under the program, the custodian of a qualifying pupil is entitled to a School Choice Voucher to pay for qualified education expenses at a participating Chicago nonpublic elementary school. Requires the principal of each low-performing school and of each overcrowded school in the Chicago school district to notify custodians of qualifying pupils of the availability of vouchers. Sets forth provisions concerning a request for a voucher, the issuance and payment of a voucher, the amount and renewal of a voucher, pupil assessment, the State longitudinal data system, and funding. Provides that students receiving vouchers are considered nonpublic school students who have been voluntarily placed in a private setting. Provides that the amount of a redeemed voucher shall not be considered base income and shall not be taxable for Illinois income tax purposes. Requires the State Board of Education to submit a report to the General Assembly. Provides criminal penalties for certain violations. Requires the State Board to adopt rules to implement the Act. Provides that the Act is repealed on July 1, 2025. Effective June 30, 2015.
Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, provides that in all counties (now, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants), the county board may by resolution provide that if a person has been granted a senior citizens homestead exemption, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption. Effective immediately.
Amends the Chicago Firefighter Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that an annuity for death in the line of duty shall not be paid to the wife of a fireman who dies while in receipt of disability benefits when the fireman's death was caused by an intervening illness or injury unrelated to the illness or injury that had prevented him from subsequently resuming active service in the fire department. Provides that the amendatory Act is intended to be a restatement and clarification of one of the eligibility requirements for that benefit. Effective immediately.
Amends the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that pay to a participant in any pension fund or retirement system under the Code for overtime performed after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall not be considered for purposes of determining pensionable salary, earnings, or compensation.