Amends the School Code. Removes a deadline for obtaining U.S. citizenship from provisions concerning requirements for a teaching certificate. In provisions concerning certificates for equivalent qualifications in other jurisdictions, adds that, as an alternative to U.S. citizenship, the applicant may be legally present and authorized for employment.
Creates the State Economic Assistance Accountability Act. Provides that State economic assistance provided by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs as an incentive to a business organization must be based on the terms of a written incentive agreement between the Department and the business organization, which agreement must identify the specific State economic assistance to be provided to the business organization during the term of the agreement. Lists terms the agreement must contain. Provides that State economic assistance incentive agreements must provide that if a business organization either fails to make the requisite level of capital investment in the project or fails to create or retain the specified number of jobs within the specified time frame, as provided under the Act authorizing the State economic assistance, the business organization shall be deemed to no longer qualify for the State economic assistance. Provides that State economic assistance must total at least $75,000 on a single project for applicability. Provides that the full content of all written incentive agreements are to be published on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs website. Effective immediately.
Creates the Whistleblower Act. Provides that an employer may not: make, adopt, or enforce any rule, regulation, or policy preventing an employee from disclosing information to a government or law enforcement agency if the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation; retaliate against an employee for disclosing information to a government or law enforcement agency, where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation; or retaliate against an employee for refusing to participate in an activity that would result in a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation. Provides that a report made by an employee of a government agency to his or her employer is a disclosure of information to a government or law enforcement agency under the Act. Violation is a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that, if an employer takes any action against an employee in violation of the Act, the employee may bring a civil action against the employer for all relief necessary to make the employee whole, including but not limited to reinstatement, back pay, compensation for damages, litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney's fees. Provides that the Act does not apply to an employer that is a governmental entity. Provides that the Act does not apply to disclosures that would constitute a violation of the attorney-client privilege.
Creates the Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Clinical Research Act. Provides that in conducting or supporting a project of clinical research, a grantee receiving State funds must ensure that women and members of minority groups are included as subjects in research projects. Provides that a grantee must conduct or support outreach programs for the recruitment of women and members of minority groups as subjects in projects of clinical research. Provides for exceptions.
Amends the Adoption Act. Provides that the exception to the requirement of consents or surrenders for adoption for a person found by the court to be the father of the child as a result of criminal sexual abuse or assault applies when the sexual abuse or assault results in (i) a founded, cleared, or suspended police report, (ii) an indicated report of child sexual abuse as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act that involved sexual penetration of the mother, or (iii) a sworn affidavit provided by a licensed psychologist or a licensed social worker.
Amends the School Code. Allows a school board to establish, maintain, and operate a summer kindergarten program that begins 2 months before the beginning of the regular school year and a summer kindergarten program for grade one readiness for those pupils making unsatisfactory progress during the regular kindergarten session that will continue for 2 months after the regular school year. Provides that the summer kindergarten program may be held within the school district or, pursuant to a contract that must be approved by the State Board of Education, may be operated by 2 or more adjacent school districts or by a public or private university or college. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. Provides that beginning in the calendar year 2004 and until December 31, 2008, a total of 5 additional enterprise zones may be certified by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs.
Amends the Department of Transportation Law of Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Includes a prior conviction under the laws of another jurisdiction that is similar to a violation under the laws of this State for which the defendant is guilty of a Class 4 felony for domestic battery.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning child care for TANF recipients, provides that the Department of Human Services must annually establish income thresholds for determining eligibility for child care benefits. Provides that the thresholds must be no less than 50% of the then-current State median income for each family size, and deletes a provision requiring such a 50% threshold only for FY 1998. Provides that in determining a family's income, the Department must disregard 10% of the family's gross wages and salary.
