Distributed via Email: November 28, 2012
BUSY FIRST WEEK OF VETO SESSION
Upon legislators first return to the State Capitol after the General Election, they got right down to business as they began tackling a host of major issues. Though no issues were finished, many started their journey through the legislature. On the docket for December and January: drivers’ licenses for undocumented citizens (SB 957), legalized marijuana for medical use (HB 30), legalized gay marriage (HB 5170), expanding gaming (SB 1849), required posting of tax returns for private corporations (SB 282), and collective bargaining implications for unionized state employees (HJR 45).
No new significant education issues surfaced this week; and nothing new emerged regarding pension reform.
The House of Representatives cancelled Thursday’s scheduled session day, the Senate will be in session. Both chambers will return to Springfield next Tuesday. Session days are likely to be scheduled January 3-9, 2013 as well.
BILL WOULD CHANGE PETITION FILING DEADLINE
A bill was approved by the House of Representatives that would push back the deadline for candidates running for the local school board to file their nominating petitions. SB 3338 (Harmon, D-Oak Park), as amended, moves back the deadline for filing petitions for school board seats until December 26, 2012 at 5:00. Currently, the date for the deadline of filing the petitions is December 24 at 5:00. The bill also contains provisions to set the election date for the filling of the Congressional seat previously held by Jesse Jackson, Jr. The bill was approved by the House of Representatives and was sent to the Senate for further consideration.
OTHER BILL ACTION THIS WEEK
HB 506 (Currie, D-Chicago) has an amendment filed to allow the chief county assessment officer to put a tax lien on any property where erroneous homestead exemptions have been granted. Senate Amendment #4 (Munoz, D-Chicago) requires an application instead of affidavit to determine eligibility for the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze including a certification and penalties. The bill and amendment are pending in the Senate.
HB 603 (Davis, W., D-Hazel Crest) was amended to require that all school districts that offer high school athletics have catastrophic health insurance coverage for all student athletes who participate in school-sponsored events under the auspices of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The coverage, which only applies once a student’s regular health insurance has reached all maximum limits, must cover for up to 15 years or $7.5 million. The bill was defeated on the floor of the House of Representatives.
HB 1957 ( Nekritz, D-Northbrook) was amended to formalize certain schedules and dates for Chicago Public Schools hearings regarding school closings. The bill was approved as amended by the Senate and was sent to the House of Representatives for concurrence in the Senate amendment.
HB 5440 (Currie) was amended in the Senate in May to c reate the Direct Broadcast Satellite Service Providers Fee Act that would impose a tax on direct broadcast satellite service – equal to that currently paid for cable television service. The proceeds from the fee would be deposited into the Education Assistance Fund. The amended bill is pending in the House of Representatives.
HB 5825 (Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora) clarifies that appropriations for the State Charter School Commission flow through the Illinois State Board of Education. The House concurred in the Senate amendment and the bill will be sent to the Governor for consideration.
HB 6240 ( Golar, D-Chicago) has an amendment file to allow for the state to borrow $4 billion to pay outstanding bills. Specifically, it adds an additional $4,000,000,000 in general obligation bonds that the state is authorized to be issue to make payments to bona fide creditors of the state – which includes school districts. The bill and amendment have been assigned to the House Executive Committee where a discussion took place but no vote was taken.
HJR 45 ( Madigan, D-Chicago) sets parameters for the Illinois General Assembly regarding the state budget. It declares that the state shall appropriate no amount for new wage increases associated with any and all collectively bargained contracts throughout state government for the Fiscal Year 2013 budget. The resolution was approved by the House of Representatives and will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.
HJR 102 (Chapa LaVia) is the mandate waiver resolution for the fall. The resolution addresses two school districts (Marshall CUSD C-2, Bureau Valley CUSD 340) who submitted waiver requests regarding non-resident tuition for children of full-time employees. The resolution approves allowing the districts to claim the average daily attendance of such students on its state aid claim but disapproves the districts charging the students tuition. The resolution was approved by the House of Representatives and will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.
SB 414 (Garrett, D-Lake Forest) has an amendment filed to set the aggregate extension base for West Northfield School District 31 at $12,654,592. The bill and amendment are pending in the Senate Revenue Committee.
SB 547 (Harmon) , as amended, makes changes to the school transition plans for Chicago Public Schools. The bill was approved as amended by the House of Representatives and sent to the Senate for further consideration.
SB 641 ( Steans, D-Chicago) has an amendment filed that would define what a “bullying policy” is for local school districts. The provisions are the same as were included in HB 5290 in the spring session. The bill is pending in the Senate Executive Committee.
SB 3297 (Garrett) has an amendment filed to increase the debt limit for Hall High School District 502 under specific circumstances. The bill is assigned to the House Revenue and Finance Committee.
This legislative report is written and edited by the lobbyists of the Illinois Association of School Boards to provide information to the members of the organizations that comprise the Statewide School Management Alliance.
Bill Text/Status: Illinois General Assembly www.ilga.gov
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