Amends the Food and Agriculture Research Act. Provides that appropriations for the purposes of the Act shall be made to the Illinois Department of Agriculture for research to Illinois public and non-public institutions of higher education. Provides that the Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research shall prepare and deliver to the General Assembly, Governor, Director of Agriculture, and the food and agricultural research administrators at each of the public and non-public institutions of higher learning that receive research dollars under the Act an annual report providing a summary and detailed account of the research programs being supported. Provides any additional grants or donations for research shall be deposited into the Food and Agricultural Research Fund and may be appropriated and used for the purposes of the Act. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Food and Agricultural Research Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Resolves that (i) the Police Training Institute shall remain open and its funding must not be diverted to create a new academy, (ii) the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall abide by the laws that created the Police Training Institute and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board and not assume new powers without legislative authority, (iii) no new police training academies shall be created until the level of enrollment and the condition of State finances would make this academically reasonable and financially feasible, and (iv) the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board is directed to establish objective professional standards for decertifying courses at police training academies so that minor disagreements do not escalate into disruptions of training.
Amends the Illinois Drainage Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "33 1/3%".
Creates the Community Services Impact Note Act. Provides that every bill, except those making a direct appropriation, that creates a State mandate on privately owned or operated facilities and community service providers funded through the Department of Human Services for the purpose of serving individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness, shall have prepared for it prior to second reading in the house of introduction a brief explanatory statement or note that shall include a reliable estimate of the probable impact of its provisions on those facilities and providers and the probable impact that the bill will have upon the Department's annual budget. Provides that these statements or notes shall be known as "community services impact notes". Sets forth provisions concerning the preparation of the written statements by the Department of Human Services, votes on the necessity of community services impact notes, contents of a note, note comments and worksheets, committee appearances, amendments, and confidentiality. Effective immediately.
Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning assistance with exports.
Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Requires contractors to include in recordkeeping the gross and net wage, hourly overtime rate, fringe benefit rates, and the sponsor and administrator of fringe benefit plans. Provides for filing of the records with the Department of Labor. Authorizes that Department to require electronic filing. Requires that Department to create and provide a form for the filing of certified payrolls. Allows any interested party to bring an action under the Act. Defines terms.
Creates the Renewable Energy Production District Act. Provides that any area within the boundaries of a single county may be incorporated as a renewable energy production district. Sets forth the procedure for establishing a renewable energy production district. Provides that a board of trustees shall govern a renewable energy production district. Sets forth the appointment, terms, and powers of the board members. Authorizes the board to sell the renewable energy produced by a renewable energy facility. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.
Creates the Taxpayer Transparency Act. Provides that a bill making an appropriation may not be considered for final passage by either the House of Representatives or the Senate unless a copy of that bill, in its final form, has been made conveniently available on the General Assembly's Internet website for at least 4 days before final legislative action by the General Assembly prior to presentation to the Governor. Effective immediately.
Amends the Election Code. Authorizes 17-year-olds to register to vote and requires election authorities to accept the registration of otherwise qualified 17-year-olds. Provides that if the election authority sends those records to the polling places, it must clearly indicate that those persons are ineligible to vote. Requires the Secretary of State and public assistance agencies that offer voter registration to offer registration to 17-year-olds. Requires the State Board of Elections to adopt implementing rules.