Sen. Kimberly Lightford

Amends the Teacher Certification Article of the School Code. Removes a provision that provides that a person who holds a valid and comparable out-of-state certificate is not required to take the tests of basic skills and subject matter knowledge. Removes a provision that requires a provisional certificate holder to pass the examinations set forth by the State Board of Education within 9 months. Removes a provision that provides that a failure to pass the tests of basic skills and subject matter knowledge shall result in cancellation of a provisional certificate. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Amends the School Code and the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. Requires that the Pledge of Allegiance be recited prior to the observance of the required brief period of silence at the opening of each school day by pupils in elementary and secondary educational institutions supported or maintained in whole or in part by public funds (now, no time of day or order of recitation is specified). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Raises the maximum age of a dependent child that a policy of accident and health insurance may insure, originally or by subsequent amendment, upon the application of an adult member of a family who shall be deemed the policyholder, from 19 to 24. Provides that if the limiting age under the policy is less than 25 years of age, then the insurer shall, upon application of the dependent child, provide coverage after that specific age, until the dependent child is 25 years of age.

Creates the Invest in Excellence Economic Development in Education Reform Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires that, if the federal government offers to provide any grant or other financial assistance to the State or to units of local government in the State on a matching-funds basis for transportation projects, then, if the State does not appropriate the matching funds necessary to receive the financial assistance, the Department of Transportation must establish and maintain a program to enable units of local government or other interested public or private parties to pay the cost of the matching funds necessary to receive the financial assistance with respect to any specific transportation project. Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that within 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall seek federal approval to amend the State Medicaid Plan to disregard applicant income up to 115% of the Federal Poverty Level in applying the income eligibility requirements for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, Special Low Income Beneficiary, and Qualified Individual programs. Effective immediately.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning physical education and training.

Mourns the death of Angela Faye Saffo-Daniel.

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires that the Governor's submitted budget include information concerning the amount and description of overdue bills and invoices under the State Prompt Payment Act. Amends the Prompt Payment Act. Accelerates the payment period from 60 days after the bill is submitted to 30 days after the bill is submitted. Increases the interest penalty from 1% to 1.5% if the payment is not made within 60 days after the bill is submitted. Effective immediately.