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 Property Tax Code. Provides that, if a taxpayer must have an income that is at or below a certain amount in order to qualify for an exemption, then, for the purposes of that exemption, the term "income" does not include Social Security benefits unless expressly stated otherwise. Effective immediately.
Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Beginning July 1, 2009, upon presentation of a current valid student or faculty identification card, exempts textbooks required for use at State universities and public community colleges or at other institutions of higher learning. Defines "textbooks". Effective immediately.
Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Department of Agriculture.
Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Authorizes the Agency to perform the "common administrative functions" that were transferred from the Agency to the Department of Corrections by Executive Order Number 6 of 2006. Provides for transfer of the related property, records, contracts, unexpended appropriations, and pending business back to the Agency. Effective immediately.
Amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department to develop and administer a 3-year pilot program of waivers of motor fuel content rules and standards to retail fuel marketers who sell motor fuel blends containing 10% to 85% ethanol by volume. Limits to 25 the number of pump sites for which waivers may be issued. Limits pump sites to one per waiver applicant. Requires the Department to adopt rules and report to the Governor and General Assembly. Effective immediately.
Makes appropriations to Western Illinois University for ordinary and contingent expenses and scholarship grant awards. Effective July 1, 2009.
Amends the University of Illinois Act, the Southern Illinois University Management Act, the Chicago State University Law, the Eastern Illinois University Law, the Governors State University Law, the Illinois State University Law, the Northeastern Illinois University Law, the Northern Illinois University Law, and the Western Illinois University Law. Provides that, out of funds appropriated to the University and not used for other purposes, the Board of Trustees may deposit money in a capital reserve fund to be used for deferred maintenance and capital needs. Provides that the Boards of Trustees of the universities are authorized to manage capital projects of the universities. Provides that, if the Board of Trustees of a university manages a capital project under this authority, then the Capital Development Board is absolved of any responsibility for that capital project. Effective immediately.
Creates the Accountability in Higher Education Act. Requires public universities in this State to develop annual academic, financial, and enrollment plans that outline (i) tuition and fee estimates, (ii) enrollment projections, (iii) how to meet State policy objectives, and (iv) accepting a number of accountability measures, including meeting benchmarks related to accessibility and affordability. Requires public universities to commit themselves formally to meeting specified State policy objectives. Requires the Board of Higher Education to be responsible for developing performance indicators to measure whether public universities in this State are meeting State policy objectives. Effective immediately.
