Creates the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact Act. Provides that this State and the other contracting states solemnly agree to the terms of the compact, whose purposes include the promotion of development and implementation of improvements to intercity passenger rail service in the Midwest. Establishes a Commission, with 4 members from each contracting state, serving without compensation from the Commission, to carry out the purposes of the compact. Provides for the election of Commission officers, for meetings and Commission administration, and for financing of the operations of the Commission by the compacting states. Provides that the compact becomes effective among the contracting states upon the agreement of 3 eligible states to participate. Provides for the admission of additional states to the compact, amendment of the compact, the withdrawal, default, or termination of contracting states, and construction and severability of the compact.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning notices of cancellation.
Amends the General Obligation Bond Act and Build Illinois Bond Act. Removes provisions authorizing the sale of bonds by negotiated sale. Eliminates certain provisions relating to compliance with the competitive request for proposal process set forth in the Illinois Procurement. Effective immediately.
Mourns the death of U.S. Army Specialist Ron Gebur.
Proposes to amend the Education Article of the Illinois Constitution by repealing the Section (i) that creates the State Board of Education and (ii) that requires the State Board of Education to appoint a chief State educational officer. Effective on the July 1 next following the date of the election when the Constitutional Amendment is adopted.
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. In the Employment Article, provides that the Act does not apply to a religious organization, association, or society or any nonprofit institution or organization operated, supervised, or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association, or society with respect to employment qualifications based on religion or sexual orientation. Effective January 1, 2006.
Creates the Accountable Schools Task Force to review and evaluate the complex issues involving the fiscal and performance accountability of the State's school districts and individual schools.
Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning a legislative declaration.
Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the School Code. Creates the Department of Education, with a Secretary of Education as its head, to replace the State Board of Education and State Superintendent of Education. Makes technical changes having a revisory function.
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Agency to establish and maintain a program to monitor the status of any performance bond or other security required for closure and post closure care of a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill site under the Act. Allows the Agency to require additional security to ensure compliance. Provides that any person who fails to obtain additional security within a reasonable time, as determined by the Agency, commits a violation of the Act. Authorizes the Agency to use unencumbered moneys in the Landfill Closure and Post-Closure Fund for the purpose of taking actions necessary to bring the closure and post-closure of the site into compliance with this Act, and in the event that no unencumbered moneys exist in the Fund, authorizes the Agency to request from the General Assembly an appropriation to the Fund to bring the closure and post-closure of the site into compliance with the Act. Effective immediately.