Sen. Mike Jacobs

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "railroad track equipment" as all vehicles operated upon rails for the purpose of the maintenance of railroads including, but not limited to, all hi-rail vehicles and on-track roadway maintenance machines. In provisions concerning approaching trains, provides that approaching railroad track equipment shall be treated the same as approaching trains.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a construction contractor or subcontractor operating second division vehicle commercially in this State that fails to display on the side of the vehicle or its trailer the name of the company for which it is employed is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor with a fine of not less than $500 (instead of a petty offense with a fine not to exceed $100).

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services, in cooperation with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, to develop and implement a streamlined auditing and accreditation system to reduce the need for community providers to undergo audits from multiple licensing or accreditation systems. Provides that the streamlined system shall, to the extent possible, utilize one auditing group to provide uniformity from one organization to the next and from one year to the next.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 and the Unified Code of Corrections. In relation to the offenses of first degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering the life or health of a child in which death of the victim was proximately caused by baby shaking, provides for increased penalties. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the court may impose an extended term sentence when a defendant is convicted of first degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, or endangering the life or health of a child resulting in the death of the child and the offense involves baby shaking and the trier of fact determined that baby shaking was the proximate cause of death of the victim of the offense. Defines "baby shaking".

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that for the purposes of the offenses of bringing contraband into a penal institution, possessing contraband in a penal institution, unauthorized bringing of contraband into a penal institution by an employee, unauthorized possession of contraband in a penal institution by an employee, and unauthorized delivery of contraband in a penal institution by an employee, the term "item of contraband" includes poppers. Defines a popper as a device that, when placed in a locking mechanism of a cell door, can override, block or in any way defeat the locking mechanism of a cell door allowing the inmate to exit the unlocked cell. Establishes penalties.

Amends the School Code. Deletes language providing that before July 1, 2006 and after June 30, 2010, the State Board of Education shall provide the primary source of funding through appropriations for the grants for preschool educational program and the funds shall be distributed for the benefit of children who because of their home and community environment are subject to such language, cultural, economic and like disadvantages that they have been determined as a result of screening procedures to be at risk of academic failure. Deletes language that provides that screening procedures shall be based on criteria established by the State Board of Education. Removes the date restrictions of July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2010 on the requirement that the State Board of Education shall provide the primary source of funding through appropriations for the program. Effective immediately.

Designates May 8, 2010 as Taylor Swift Day in the State of Illinois.

Creates the Blind Vendors Act. Creates the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind and provides that the Secretary of Human Services, through the Bureau Director of the Bureau for the Blind in the Department of Human Services, shall continue, maintain, and promote the Program. Provides that the Program must provide that: priority is given to blind vendors in the operation of vending facilities on State property; tie bid preference is given to blind vendors in the operation of cafeterias on State property unless the cafeteria operations are operated by employees of a State agency; vending machine income from all vending machines on State property is assigned as provided in the Act; no State agency may impose a commission, service charge, rent, or utility charge on a licensed blind vendor who is operating a vending facility on State property; and vending facilities operated by the Program use reasonable and necessary means and methods to maintain fair market pricing in relation to each facility's given demographic, geographic, and other circumstances. Contains provisions concerning: intent; compliance with federal law; rules; establishment of vending facilities on State property; other vending facilities; creation of a Blind Vendors Trust Fund as a separate account managed by the Department of Human Services for the State's blind vendors; set-aside funds; vending machine income; issuance of licenses; creation of a Committee of Blind Vendors to participate in the development and implementation of all policies, plans, program development, and major administrative and management decisions affecting the Program; hearings; arbitration; reports and surveys; and other matters. Repeals the Blind Persons Operating Vending Facilities Act.

Creates the Upper Mississippi River International Port District Act. Sets forth the territory of the District. Provides that the District shall be governed by a Board of Commissioners, and sets forth the terms of the Commissioners. Sets forth the powers and duties of the District, including the power to issue certain permits, the power to locate, establish, and maintain a public airport, the power to acquire certain property, the power of eminent domain, and the power to issue bonds. Sets forth procedures for leases and contracts related to warehouses and storage facilities. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Provides that an employer subject to the Act shall preserve specified records for not less than 5 (rather than 3) years. Provides that an action to collect a wage claim under the Act shall be brought within 5 years from the date of the underpayment (rather than within 3 years from the date the employee learned of the underpayment).