Sen. Kimberly Lightford

Urges the United States Senate to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the powers and duties of the State Board of Education.

Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Provides that each year, 2 months prior to the district's September student membership survey, (1) the maximum number of students assigned to each teacher who is teaching courses in public school classrooms for prekindergarten through grade 3 may not exceed 18 students; (2) the maximum number of students assigned to each teacher who is teaching courses in public school classrooms for grades 4 through 8 may not exceed 22 students; and the maximum number of students assigned to each teacher who is teaching courses in public school classrooms for grades 9 through 12 may not exceed 25 students, which maximums must be maintained after the September student membership survey. Sets forth exceptions and provisions concerning the annual calculation of class size measures, reporting on class size, an implementation plan and schedule, and imposition of a civil penalty. Effective immediately.

Amends the Hospital Services Trust Fund Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that any hospital services payments required under the Illinois Administrative Code that are set to expire in State fiscal year 2012 shall remain in effect through State fiscal year 2014 at the rates effective July 1, 2011. Effective July 1, 2012.

Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Provides for fewer limitations on the definition of "employee." Provides a procedure for increasing the minimum wage annually to restore the minimum wage to its historic level and thereafter increasing the minimum wage by the increase in the cost of living during the preceding year. Deletes language pertaining to temporary or irregular employees and employees under the age of 18. Provides for an increased amount of damages recoverable by an employee that is paid less than the wage to which he is entitled to under the Minimum Wage Law. Effective immediately.

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the two Houses adjourn on Wednesday, December 05, 2012, the Senate stands adjourned until Wednesday, January 02, 2013 at 3:00 o'clock p.m., and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Thursday, January 03, 2013, and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, January 08, 2013, or until the call of the President; and the House of Representatives stands adjourned until Friday, December 21, 2012, in perfunctory session; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Sunday, January 06, 2013, at 5:00 o'clock p.m., or until the call of the Speaker.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that every person who has been convicted in any state or federal court of an offense that requires the person to register as a sexual predator under the Sex Offender Registration Act, and who is thereafter convicted of a second offense requiring registration as a sexual predator, shall be adjudged a habitual child predator. Provides that anyone adjudged a habitual child predator shall be sentenced as a Class X offender. Provides that the term of mandatory supervised release of a habitual child predator shall range from a minimum of 3 years to a maximum of the natural life of the defendant. Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Defines "sexual predator" to include a person who was convicted of luring of a minor (rather than a second or subsequent such offense).

Amends the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act. Establishes procedures for serving a petition upon a person who is alleged to be sexually violent. Provides that if a person has been committed as a sexually violent person and has not been discharged, the Department of Human Services shall submit a written report to the court on his or her mental condition at least once every 12 months after his or her initial commitment for the purpose of determining (1) whether the person has made sufficient progress in treatment to be conditionally released, and (2) whether the person's condition has so changed since the most recent periodic reexamination (or initial commitment, if there has not yet been a periodic reexamination) that he or she is no longer a sexually violent person. Provides that at a discharge hearing the State has the right to have the person evaluated by experts chosen by the State. Incorporates into the discharge Section provisions relating to additional discharge hearings. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that in making its determination of parole, the Prisoner Review Board shall consider the person's eligibility for commitment under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act. Provides that if the Board paroles a person who is eligible for commitment as a sexually violent person, the effective date of the Board's order shall be stayed for 90 days for the purpose of evaluation and proceedings under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a criminal prosecution in which the defendant is accused of first degree murder or second degree murder when the commission of the offense involves domestic violence, evidence of the defendant's commission of another offense or offenses of domestic violence is admissible, and may be considered for its bearing on any matter to which it is relevant. Effective immediately.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that effective January 1, 2013, licensed day care centers, licensed day care homes, and licensed group day care homes shall have the facility tested for radon at least once every 3 years. Provides that effective January 1, 2014, as part of an initial application or application for renewal of a license for day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services shall require proof the facility has been tested within the last 3 years for radon. Provides that the report of the most current radon measurement shall be posted in the facility next to the license issued by the Department. Effective January 1, 2013.