HB 1054 (PA 95-0850)
Provides that the proceeds of a school facility occupation tax must be allocated based upon the number of each school district’s resident pupils that reside within the county collecting the tax divided by the total number of resident students within the county (instead of the total number of students for all school districts within the county). Effective 1-1-09
HB 1647 (PA 95-0592)
Provides that school service personnel certificates are renewable every five years. Sets forth the requirements and procedures for renewal, including continuing professional development requirements. Effective 7-1-08.
HB 4159 (PA 95-0741)
Requires each school district to periodically review its procurement procedures and specifications related to the purchase of products and supplies and modify them as necessary to require the school district to seek out products and supplies that contain recycled materials and to ensure that purchased products and supplies are reusable, durable, or made from recycled materials, if economically and practically feasible. Districts must also review its procurement procedures on solid waste reduction regarding the management of solid waste. Effective 7-18-08.
HB 4229 (PA 95-0790)
Provides that whenever the term “registered mail” is used in the School Code, it shall be deemed to authorize the use of either registered mail or certified mail, return receipt requested. Effective 8-8-08.
HB 4309 (PA 95-0811)
Provides that if a school district closes one or more recognized school buildings due to a condition beyond the control of the district prior to providing any instruction, then the district may claim a full day of attendance for a maximum of 2 school days based on the average of the 3 prior school days of attendance immediately preceding the closure of the school building. Effective 8-13-08.
HB 4456 (PA 95-0781)
Creates the Commission on Children and Youth Act. The governor will appoint, among the members of the commission, at least one representative “from the field of education”. The State Superintendent of Schools would also be a part of the commission. It provides that the Commission shall develop a 5-year strategic plan in collaboration with other children and youth experts and service providers as needed. Effective 5-5-08.
HB 4522 (PA 95-0835)
Statutorily requires the last two school district state aid payments to be made in June (instead of July) so the funds are received in the proper fiscal year. Effective 8-15-08.
HB 4646 (PA 95-0805)
Provides that a county, municipality, school district, or community college district may own and operate a wind generation turbine farm either individually or jointly with another unit of local government. It provides that the school district or unit of local government may ask for the assistance of the Illinois Power Agency in obtaining financing options for a wind generation turbine farm. Effective 8-12-08.
HB 4705 (PA 95-0724)
Provides for a distribution of funds by the State Board of Education to achieve a goal of “Preschool for All Children” through June 30, 2010 (instead of June 30, 2008). It changes the date (from July 1 to November 1) that the State Board of Education must report on the results and progress of students enrolled in preschool educational programs. Effective 6-30-08.
HB 5285
The legislation requires employer health insurance plans to continue coverage – at the option of the employee – to unmarried, young adults up to the age of 26, and to unmarried veterans up to the age of 30. New provisions limit creditable coverage, such that pre-existing conditions would not be allowable if the result would be to allow for the employee to place an adult dependent on the employee’s health insurance plan after the individual was diagnosed with a health condition. Effective 8-15-08.
HB 5699 (PA 95-0816)
Allows a teacher receiving a disability, occupational disability, or disability retirement benefit to engage in limited or part-time employment as a teacher for an employer under either the Teacher’s Retirement System or the State University Retirement System without loss of benefits under specific circumstances. Effective 8-13-08.
HB 5717 (PA 95-0737)
Provides that any child who received a health examination within one year prior to entering the fifth grade for the 2007-2008 school year is not required to receive an additional health examination in order to comply with the provisions of Public Act 95-422 (which requires children entering the sixth grade to have a health examination) when he or she attends school for the 2008-2009 school year, unless the child is attending school for the first time. Effective 7-16-08
SB 2042 (PA 95-0844)
Makes changes relating to the residency of students in residential facilities and the payment of educational costs in provisions concerning tuition for non-resident pupils, determining the resident district with respect to children with disabilities, and special education classes for children from orphanages, foster family homes, children’s homes, or in-state housing units. It provides that for any student with a disability in a residential facility placement made or paid for by an Illinois public state agency or made by any court in this state, the school district of residence is responsible for the costs of educating the child. The district shall be reimbursed for those costs in accordance with the School Code, with payments made by the resident district to the entity providing the educational services, whether the entity is the residential facility or otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties. Effective 8-15-08.
SB 2387 (PA 95-0863)
Adds homeownership, including the basic process of obtaining a mortgage and the concepts of fixed and adjustable rate mortgages, subprime loans, and predatory lending, as part of the financial literacy component of consumer education. Effective 1-1-09.