Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department, subject to appropriation, to develop, publish, and disseminate a brochure to educate the general public about telemedicine.
Amends the School Code and the Counties Code. Provides that it is a State's Attorney's duty to notify the State Superintendent of Education and others upon the conviction of any individual known to possess a certificate issued under the School Code of any of certain offenses or any other felony conviction. In the criminal history records check provisions of the School Code, makes changes concerning the offenses for which a school board may not knowingly employ a person. Provides that no one may be certified to teach or supervise in the public schools who has been convicted of certain offenses (instead of providing that in determining good character, any felony conviction of an applicant may be taken into consideration, but such a conviction shall not operate as a bar to registration). In provisions concerning suspension or revocation of a certificate, provides that the State Superintendent of Education has the exclusive authority to initiate the suspension of up to 5 calendar years or revocation of any certificate (instead of providing that a certificate may be suspended for a period not to exceed one calendar year by the regional superintendent of schools or for a period not to exceed 5 calendar years by the State Superintendent). With respect to certificate suspension and revocation, makes changes concerning an investigation, notice, a hearing, an appeal, and the offenses that are grounds for suspension and revocation. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2009.
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act and the Illinois Income Tax Act. Authorizes the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to establish systems and programs to encourage employers to match employee contributions to prepaid programs of college savings by making donations to the Commission for prepaid programs of college savings and its programs of grants and loans to make higher education affordable for all residents of the State and to receive, hold, and disburse all such funds made available through those programs for the purposes for which they are authorized by rule or by law. Creates an income tax credit for employers who, during the taxable year, make a matching donation on behalf of an employee. Provides that the credit is 25% of the matching donation, but not to exceed $500 per employee. Provides that the credit may be carried forward for 3 taxable years. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows a member who rendered full-time contractual services to an Illinois Veterans Home operated by the Department of Veterans' Affairs to establish service credit for up to 8 years of such services by making specified contributions, plus interest. Requires application no later than July 1, 2010. Effective immediately.
Amends the Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act. Creates a pilot program coordinated by the Illinois State Police in Adams, Madison, St. Clair, and Vermilion Counties, known as the Illinois State Police Precursor Tracking Program or Pilot Program, to: (1) track purchases of targeted methamphetamine precursor across multiple locations; (2) identify persons obtaining or distributing targeted methamphetamine precursors for the likely purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine; (3) starve methamphetamine manufacturers of the methamphetamine precursors they need to make methamphetamine; (4) locate and shut down methamphetamine laboratories; and (5) ultimately reduce the harm that methamphetamine manufacturing and manufacturers are inflicting on individuals, families, communities, first responders, the economy, and the environment in Illinois and beyond. Provides that the Program shall be 2 years in duration. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall prior to the end of this 2-year period report to the Governor and General Assembly on the implementation and efficacy of the Pilot Program and may recommend to them the continuation, modification, or termination of the Program. Provides that the Program shall be funded by the Illinois State Police through federal grant moneys and other available sources. Provides penalties for violations of the Program. Effective 90 days after becoming law.
Amends the School Code. With respect to sick leave for teachers (other than in the Chicago school district), provides that a school board may require a certificate from a physician, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or spiritual adviser or practitioner as a basis for pay during leave after an absence of 30 days for birth. Provides that for paid sick leave for adoption or placement for adoption, the school board may require that the teacher or other employee provide evidence that the formal adoption process is underway, and such leave is limited to 30 days unless a longer leave has been negotiated with the exclusive bargaining representative. Imposes conditions on any rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Provides that any individual, with exceptions, who begins serving as a superintendent in this State on or after July 1, 2009 and has not previously served as a school district superintendent in this State shall participate in a new superintendent mentoring program, established by the State Board of Education, for the duration of his or her first 2 school years as a superintendent. Contains provisions concerning program requirements, who may apply to be a mentor, mentoring training, assignment of a mentor by a provider selected by the State Board, identification of areas for improvement, a survey of progress, an annual report to the State Board, and a verification form. Provides that mentors of certified staff are protected from suit. Effective immediately.
Amends the Public University Energy Conservation Act. Provides that "energy conservation measure" includes construction of a new building or facility that is designed to reduce energy consumption or operating costs.
Expresses the General Assembly's support for the "25x'25 Vision" and its goal of having agriculture provide renewable energy and safe and affordable food and fiber.
Congratulates the Lady Cougars of West Central High School on finishing second in the Class 1A State basketball tournament.
