Sen. Andy Manar

Creates the Springfield High Speed Railroad Oversight Act. Provides for the establishment of a diversity program to ensure environmental justice, local involvement, and non-discrimination in all contracts related to the High Speed Rail Project in the City of Springfield and Sangamon County. Sets forth requirements of the program. Establishes the Springfield High Speed Railroad Oversight Commission. Requires the Commission to submit quarterly reports to various state officers and agencies detailing the progress of the project. Defines required terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning unfair labor practice procedures.

Amends the Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall not enter into any new Agreements under the Act, nor shall it issue any certificates of verification under the Act, in any State fiscal year if an Act containing appropriations for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for that fiscal year has not become law. Removes a provision from the Act providing that failure to submit a copy of the certificate of verification with the taxpayer's tax return shall not invalidate a claim for a credit. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that with respect to employers correctly classified within the construction industry, the amount charged to the insured for workers' compensation and employers' liability insurance shall be based upon hours worked by employees in specific job categories or classifications, not the wages or salaries paid to the employees. Makes technical and grammatical changes.

Mourns the death of Rose Jeannette Heflin of Bunker Hill.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the University of Illinois Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning tuition waivers.

Amends the School Code with respect to the debt limitations of school districts. Allows Hillsboro Community Unit School District 3 to issue bonds with an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $34,500,000 if, among other conditions, (i) the voters of the district approve a proposition for the bond issuance at an election held on or after March 15, 2016; (ii) prior to the issuance of the bonds, the school board determines that altering, repairing, and equipping the high school agricultural/vocational building, demolishing the high school main, cafeteria, and gym buildings, building and equipping a school building, and improving sites are required as a result of the age and condition of the district's existing buildings; and (iii) the bonds are issued, in one or more issuances, not later than 5 years after the date of the referendum approving the issuance of the bonds. Provides that the debt incurred on the bonds and any refunding bonds shall not be considered indebtedness for purposes of any statutory debt limitation and such bonds must mature within not to exceed 25 years from their date. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Anna Mae Moore of Coffeen.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the Montgomery County board (currently, only the Will County and Kane County boards) may by ordinance impose a judicial facilities fee. Effective immediately.