Sen. Kimberly Lightford

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In connection with the medical assistance program, provides that on and after July 1, 2008, the minimum inpatient per diem rate to be paid to a hospital for psychiatric services shall be no less than the highest per diem base rate established by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for any hospital that newly qualifies to deliver psychiatric inpatient services on or after December 31, 2006. Effective immediately.

Urges President Bush, President-elect Obama, and the Congress to allocate $2 billion of the next proposed economic stimulus to create a youth employment program.

Amends the Illinois Library System Act. Increases the amount of certain grants from the State to public and school libraries. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Requires the Treasurer to post information on his or her official website concerning the investment of public funds. Sets forth the required information. Does not require posting of information that is exempt from inspection and copying under the Freedom of Information Act.

Creates the Council on Responsible Fatherhood Act of 2007. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall implement a fatherhood initiative to be directed by the Council on Responsible Fatherhood. Sets forth the goals of the initiative. Creates the Council on Responsible Fatherhood consisting of 21 members. Sets forth the duties and powers of the Council. Provides that grants, contributions, and other funds received by the Council must be deposited into the Responsible Fathers Fund. Provides that any moneys remaining in the Responsible Fatherhood Fund shall be transferred to the Responsible Fathers Fund and the Responsible Fatherhood Fund shall be dissolved. Repeals the Responsible Fatherhood Fund. Repeals the new Act on July 1, 2009. Effective immediately, except that the provision repealing the Responsible Fatherhood Fund takes effect on January 1, 2008.

Mourns the death of Beverly Thompson of Forest Park.

Mourns the death of Donald Augustus of Chicago.

Amends the School Code. Requires the Chicago Board of Education to develop a plan for implementing a program that seeks to establish common bonds between youth of various backgrounds and ethnicities, which must be similar to that of the Challenge Day organization.

Creates the Commission on the Eradication of Poverty Act. Provides for appointments and terms of members. Provides for funding through the Department of Human Rights. Requires meetings and reports. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the Professional Development Block Grant; a census for special education; the missing child program; the school technology program; special education transition goals, supports, and services; the definition of "children of limited English-speaking ability"; a school board's power to levy a tax or to borrow money and issue bonds for fire prevention, safety, energy conservation, disabled accessibility, school security, and specified repair purposes; tuition of children from orphanages and children's homes; renewal of a standard teaching certificate; a course dealing with the content of the Illinois Vehicle Code; and driver education reimbursement. Repeals provisions concerning remitting the forfeiture of the school fund by a township that has failed to make required reports, summer school grants for remedial education, arts program grants, recognition of drug-free schools and communities, grants for drug-free schools, scientific literacy, young parents program grants, liability coverage for certificated school employees, supplementary State aid for districts with an increasing weighted average daily attendance, a fee for a life teaching certificate, teacher education trend and certification studies, and a curriculum for reduction of self-destructive behavior.