Sen. Denny Jacobs

Amends the Wireless Emergency Telephone Safety Act. Defines "wireless enhanced 9-1-1" to mean the ability to relay the telephone number of the originator of a 9-1-1 call and location information from any mobile handset or text telephone device accessing the wireless system to the designated wireless public safety answering point as set forth by an order of the Federal Communications Commission. Removes a provision including in the definition of "wireless enhanced 9-1-1" the ability to relay the location of the cell site or base station receiving a 9-1-1 call.

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.

Amends the Election Code and the Counties Code. Authorizes advisory referenda concerning (i) the number of members of the county board to be elected, (ii) whether the board members should be elected from single-member districts, multi-member districts, or at-large, (iii) whether voters will have cumulative voting rights in the election of county board members, or (iv) any combination of the preceding 3 questions. Provides that the advisory referenda may be initiated by an ordinance of the county board or by a petition containing the signatures of 3% of the registered voters of the county. Removes this type of advisory referendum from the general limit of 3 public questions per ballot. Provides that voters may have cumulative voting rights in the election of county board members in multi-member districts or at-large elections. Provides that questions concerning whether the board members should be elected from single-member districts, multi-member districts, or at-large, including whether voters have cumulative voting rights, may be decided by a referendum or by ordinance (now, only by ordinance). Provides that, if the method is determined by referendum, the referendum requires the signatures of at least 3% of the registered voters and it cannot be changed by ordinance for 12 years. Provides that, if a county board determines that members shall be elected by districts, the county board shall specify whether voters will have cumulative voting. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows certain retired teachers to remain in retirement status and continue to receive their retirement annuities while engaging in employment in a designated subject shortage area. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 to provide that health insurance benefits under the State and TRIP plans are suspended while the annuitant is covered as an active teacher. Amends the School Code to require regional superintendents of schools to certify school district compliance with certain requirements of the program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Simplified Municipal Telecommunications Tax Act. Establishes procedures for the Department of Revenue to certify an ordinance passed by a municipality to impose a tax under the Act or to amend or repeal a tax imposed under the Act and to notify telecommunications retailers of the certification of the ordinance by the Department (now, municipalities are required to file the ordinance with the Department pursuant to rules adopted by the Department). Imposes time frames for Department certification and notification of retailers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning portability of coverage.

Amends the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the powers and duties of the Department of Human Services.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that the requirement that an entity that conducts any generation, transportation, or recycling of construction or demolition debris or uncontaminated soil generated during construction, remodeling, repair, and demolition of utilities, structures, and roads must maintain documentation identifying the hauler, generator, place of origin, weight or volume, and location, owner, and operator of the location where the debris or soil was transferred, disposed, recycled, or treated does not apply to a county highway department.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of the public universities in Illinois. For tuition purposes, requires an individual who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States to be classified as an Illinois resident if the individual graduated from a high school in this State, among other conditions. Provides that certain aliens must be given the same privilege of qualifying for resident status for tuition and fee purposes as a citizen of the United States. Provides that an individual who was formerly a resident of this State is entitled to pay tuition at the rate provided for Illinois residents if the parent with whom the individual does not primarily reside continues to reside in this State, among other conditions. Effective immediately.