Sen. J. Bradley Burzynski

Amends the School Code. Allows a school board (other than the Chicago Board of Education) to appoint a student to the board to serve in an advisory capacity for a term as determined by the board. Provides that the board may not grant the student member any voting privileges, but shall consider the student member as an advisor. Effective July 1, 2005.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a teachers' institute may include training in First Aid. Effective immediately.

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

Creates the Local Option School District Income Tax Act and amends the School Code, the State Finance Act, the Illinois Income Tax Act, and the Property Tax Code. Authorizes school districts by referendum to impose an income tax on individuals resident of the district. Provides that with referendum approval, the income tax shall be levied at an annual rate, adjusted each year, that will produce for distribution to the district in each calendar year an amount equal to the corresponding 50% reduction that is required to be made in the annual extension of the real property taxes that are levied by the district against residential property for educational, operations and maintenance, and transportation purposes and that are collected and distributed to the district in the same calendar year in which the corresponding income tax revenues are distributed. Provides for a referendum repeal of the tax. Provides for the manner of levying and collecting the tax and for deposit of the income tax revenues in the educational, operations and maintenance, and transportation funds of the district in proportion to the respective amounts by which the taxes in those funds are abated. Provides for disbursement of the tax to school districts by the State Treasurer. Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law to exclude from the definition of "aggregate extension" school district levies made to cover amounts lost because of the repeal of the local income tax for schools as formerly imposed by the district under the Local Option School District Income Tax Act. Amends the State aid formula provisions of the School Code. Provides that the adoption or failure to adopt a local income tax for schools and any disbursement of funds or any tax abatement required under the Local Option School District Income Tax Act shall not affect the computation or distribution of State aid for school districts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Child Passenger Protection Act. Deletes language providing that the General Assembly finds that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death of children of every age from 4 to 14. Provides that whenever a person is transporting a child under the age of 4 (rather than 8), the person is responsible for properly securing the child in a child restraint system. Provides that every person, when transporting a child 4 (rather than 8) years of age or older, but under the age of 16, is responsible for properly securing that child in either a child restraint system or seat belts. Provides that a person under the age of 18, when transporting a child 6 (rather than 8) years of age or older but under the age of 18, is responsible for securing the child in a seat belt. Deletes language providing that a child weighing more than 40 pounds may be transported in the back seat of a motor vehicle while wearing only a lap belt if the back seat of the motor vehicle is not equipped with a combination lap and shoulder belt. Provides that a person's failure to properly secure a child under the age of 6 (rather than 8) years is not contributory negligence.

Proposes to amend the Legislature Article of the Illinois Constitution concerning the passage of bills. Provides that after November 2, 2004, no portion of a bill may require a unit of local government or school district to expend additional public revenue unless (i) the State appropriates the required additional funds, (ii) the bill passes by at least a three-fifths vote, (iii) the bill imposes a federal law that the unit of local government or school district would otherwise be required to meet by federal law or imposes a State or federal court order with no additional requirements imposed by the State, (iv) the bill creates a criminal law or expands or modifies the application or enforcement of criminal law, or (v) the bill creates, expands, or modifies employer-paid benefits for unemployed and injured workers. Also applies to administrative rules, regulations, and actions absent express and specific authority by law. Does not apply to limits on the ability to raise revenue. Effective upon being declared adopted.

Amends the School Code. Gives the State Teacher Certification Board the power to simplify or streamline the teacher certification process in order to make the process more efficient for both the State Teacher Certification Board and certificate applicants. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Illinois Local Library Act and the Public Library District Act of 1991. Makes technical changes.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the creation of the Property Tax Appeal Board.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning exclusive State powers or functions.