Rep. Mike Boland

Amends the Probation and Probation Officers Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2011, minimum qualifications of probation officers shall include at least 30 hours per year in training or continuing education, provided that such training or continuing education programs have been approved in advance by the Division of Probation Services. Provides that beginning January 1, 2014, such minimum qualifications shall include at least 40 hours per year in training or continuing education, provided that such training or continuing education programs have been approved in advance by the Division of Probation Services.

Amends the Hospital Services Trust Fund Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to appropriation, in addition to any other payments authorized under the Code, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse critical access hospitals for outpatient services at an amount that is no less than the cost of providing such services, based on Medicare cost principles.

Creates the High-Speed Rail Authority Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Consumer Installment Loan Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning a license required to engage in the business of making loans of money in a principal amount not exceeding $25,000.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall, each year, consider applications for scholarship assistance under the Challenge Scholarship program. Provides that an applicant is eligible for a Challenge Scholarship if the parent or guardian of the applicant signs a pledge while the student is in grade 8 that the student will maintain at least a "C" grade average during high school, and the applicant maintains that grade average; and the applicant has not been suspended or expelled or acquired a police record during high school for certain offenses. Provides that an applicant who complies with these requirements shall receive a scholarship to cover tuition for 30 semester hours at a public community college. Effective immediately.

Amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Increases the penalties by one class for violations of the statute concerning dog fighting.

Amends the Motor Fuel Tax Law. Provides that motor fuel tax proceeds may be used only for transportation purposes.

Urges the Illinois House of Representatives to commission and install a portrait of President-Elect Barack Obama on the Democratic side of the aisle in the Chamber of the Illinois House of Representatives and to place the portrait of Senator Douglas in another appropriate and dignified location within the Illinois State Capitol.

Amends the Election Code. Changes the petition signature requirement for a new political party to at least twice the minimum number required for an established party candidate for the office on the slate with the lowest signature requirement. Changes the petition signature requirement for an independent candidate to at least twice the minimum number required for an established party candidate for that office.