Encourages the Illinois State Board of Education, special education cooperatives, and each school district in this State to consider the potential benefits of inclusive education for children with and without disabilities in Illinois.
Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that in any case in which the plaintiff makes a claim based upon exposure to asbestos, the following issues are relevant to the determination of liability and damages: (1) whether the plaintiff had exposure to any asbestos manufactured by, processed by, or otherwise associated with any entity other than the defendant; (2) whether the plaintiff's exposure to asbestos was to asbestos exclusively manufactured by, processed by, or otherwise associated with the defendant; and (3) whether there is a causal relationship between the plaintiff's alleged injuries and the asbestos manufactured by, processed by, or otherwise associated with the defendant. Provides that the court shall allow the parties to present evidence concerning these issues and that the trier of fact shall determine liability and damages based on these issues, together with any other relevant issues. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code and the Public Community College Act. With respect to school boards of school districts and boards of trustees of community college districts, provides that officers are subject to removal by a majority vote of all the board members and, in case of removal or where a vacancy otherwise occurs in any of the offices, the board shall appoint or elect a successor to fill the vacancy. Effective immediately.
Amends the Use Tax Act and the Service Use Tax Act. Provides that the multistate exemption includes the return of property of an out-of-State lessor or purchaser to this State for storage, repair, or refurbishment, so long as the property is not used by a lessee or purchaser in this State. Effective immediately.
Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides limitations upon a non-expert's opinion or inference testimony. Sets forth requirements regarding: qualifications, testimony, disclosure, and compensation of expert witnesses; bases of expert opinion testimony; limitations on expert testimony; pre-trial hearings and disclosures concerning expert witnesses; precedents to be followed in interpreting the new provisions; interlocutory appeals of rulings on the admissibility of expert evidence; standards to be followed by reviewing courts in determining the admissibility of expert testimony; and severability. Provides that the new provisions apply to actions commenced on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act and pending actions in which a trial has not been scheduled or in which a trial has been scheduled more than 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. With regard to class sizes of general education classes for special education students and special education classes for special education students, provides that the State Board of Education shall have no authority to adopt any administrative rules that establish or limit the class size or ratio of the student population of a general education class for students receiving services in general education classes or a special education class beyond what may be required by federal rule or law, unless the State Board of Education fully funds the cost of additional teachers and other staff that are required by a class-size limitation; defines "special education class". Provides that any rule in effect on the effective date of the amendatory Act establishing or limiting the class size or ratio of the student population of a general education class for special education students receiving services in general education classes or establishing or limiting the class size of a special education class is hereby null and void.
Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that "public works" does not include conservation projects or practices on private land paid for wholly or in part out of public funds. Effective immediately.
Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act of the Illinois Municipal Code. Creates a tax increment allocation financing extension for an ordinance adopted on June 21, 1999 by the Village of Table Grove. Effective immediately.
Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that emergency appointments may be renewed if the renewal is authorized by the Director of Central Management Services. Provides that temporary appointments may be filled for more than 6 months if authorized by the Director of Central Management Services.
Amends the Personnel Code. Removes the sunset date for the partial personnel jurisdiction exemption for all positions within the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired requiring licensure by the State Board of Education. Effective immediately.
