Sen. Kyle McCarter

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, may establish and administer a test program to place at rest areas along highways computer kiosks that provide information on tourism activities in the State. Sets forth the requirements of the test program.

Amends the School Code. Allows a school district, by resolution of its school board, to establish a remote educational program. Defines "remote educational program" as an educational program delivered to students in the home or other location outside of a school building that meets specified criteria. Provides that days of attendance by students in a remote educational program may be claimed by the school district and shall be counted for general State aid purposes in accordance with the State aid formula provisions of the Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Court of Claims Act and the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Provides that in any case for which benefits have not been paid within 6 months of the claim being filed in accordance with the Line of Duty Compensation Act, which is pending as of the effective date of the amendatory Act, and in which there are 2 or more beneficiaries, at least one of whom would receive at least a portion of the total benefit regardless of the manner in which the Court of Claims resolves the claim, the Court shall direct the Comptroller to pay the minimum amount of money which the determinate beneficiary would receive together with all interest payment penalties which have accrued on that portion of the award being paid within 30 days of the effective date of the amendatory Act.

Amends the Motor Fuel and Petroleum Standards Act. Provides that all biodiesel with a numerical value of B100 that is sold or offered for sale in the State of Illinois shall conform to the ASTM D6751 Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock (B100) for Middle Distillate Fuels.

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that any private individual or entity that receives benefits under this Act for the purpose of originating, locating, maintaining, rehabilitating, or expanding a business facility and that abandons or relocates its facility in violation of the agreement shall pay to the municipality an amount equal to the prorated value of the benefit.

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law. Requires the Department to establish and maintain a website known as the Illinois Accountability Portal. The website shall provide direct access to information concerning State employees and individual consultants, State expenditures, State tax credits, State contracts, and revocations and suspensions of occupation and use tax certificates of registration and professional licenses.

Amends the IMRF Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In provisions concerning creditable service, provides that if the employee was in the service of more than one school district, then the sick leave days from all such employers shall be credited (currently only sick leave days from last employer). Provides that in calculating the creditable service, the sick leave days from the last employer shall be considered first, then the remaining sick leave days shall be considered until there are no more days or the maximum creditable sick leave threshold has been reached. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code and various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Requires the State Board of Education to promote an annual campaign about disability history and awareness in this State. Requires a school district to provide instruction on disability history, people with disabilities, and the disability rights movement. Requires the regional superintendent of schools to monitor a school district's compliance. Allows each public university to conduct and promote activities that provide education on, awareness of, and an understanding of disability history, people with disabilities, and the disability rights movement.

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act and the State Finance Act. Authorizes the Authority and the State Fire Marshal jointly to administer a revolving loan program for the construction, rehabilitation, remodeling, and expansion of fire stations and the acquisition of land for the construction or expansion of fire stations by fire departments (including township fire departments) and fire protection districts. Specifies terms of loans. Creates the necessary special fund in the State treasury. Effective July 1, 2009.

Creates the Veterinary Student Loan Repayment Program Act. Establishes the Veterinary Student Loan Repayment Program to be administered through the University of Illinois. Requires a loan recipient under the Program to enter into a program agreement under which he or she agrees to practice in (i) veterinary practice that is at least 51% devoted to large animal medicine that enhances agricultural animal health and productivity or (ii) regulatory veterinary medicine that supports public health and safety, livestock biosecurity, or food animal disease diagnosis for at least one year for each year in which he or she received a loan. Sets forth penalties for failure to satisfy a program agreement. Requires payments received by the University to be deposited with the University to support the Program. Provides that the University may not enter into any program agreement after July 1, 2019. Effective immediately.