Budget Legislation

HB89

Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Public University Procurement Act. Creates the State University Procurement System, governed by a board consisting of one member appointed by each public university's board of trustees. Requires the System to (1) develop a proposed Procurement Code for Public Universities; (2) implement the Code, in conjunction with each university, after approval by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules; (3) hire and oversee a full-time Chief Procurement Officer for Public Universities; (4) develop university procurement policies on an ongoing basis; (5) evaluate a university's procurement performance on an ongoing basis; (6) develop an electronic procurement bulletin for the public advertising of all university purchasing opportunities above bid limits; (7) provide sole source hearings for those items in which vendor questions or issues have been raised, with final determinations made by the Chief Procurement Officer; (8) under the Code, require certification to conduct business in this State at the time of an award; and (9) develop diversity goals and a certification process that recognizes higher education's commitment to diversity and to annually publish the results. Provides for an Auditor General audit and report. Repeals the Act on July 1, 2016. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code to provide that from the effective date of the amendatory Act until July 1, 2016, the Code does not apply to public universities in this State. Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois to provide that no university shall be obligated to comply with (i) any mandate in the Act enacted after the effective date of the amendatory Act or (2) any regulatory mandate promulgated by the Board of Higher Education and adopted by rule. Effective immediately.

SB3

Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the General Obligation Restructuring Bond Fund and the General Obligation Restructuring Bond Debt Service Fund as special funds in the State treasury. Provides that the Comptroller shall transfer into the General Obligation Restructuring Bond Debt Service Fund certain amounts to service debt due on State General Obligation Restructuring Bonds. Amends the General Obligation Bond Act. Increases total authorized amount of General Obligation Bonds. Provides that the $8,750,000,000 of Bonds authorized by this amendatory Act shall be used to pay vouchers that are at least 60 days past due, medical expenses incurred by the State under its health plans, corporate income tax refunds, and other operating expenses of the State. Provides that the proceeds of these Bonds shall be deposited in the General Obligation Restructuring Bond Fund. Provides for the conditions for issuance and sale of State General Obligation Restructuring Bonds. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

SB 131

Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Authorizes the Governor to appoint an Executive Inspector General for Higher Education to investigate allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, nonfeasance, misfeasance, malfeasance, or violations of the Act by public institutions of higher education, their officers, and their employees. Provides that the term of the initial Executive Inspector General for Higher Education shall commence upon qualification and shall run through June 30, 2013. Requires the initial appointment of the Executive Inspector General for Higher Education to be made within 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act.

SB135

Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Public Community College Act and various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Removes the power of the governing board of each public university and community college district to establish tuition rates and fees. Provides that for the 2011-2012 academic year and each academic year thereafter, the tuition and fee rates for students must be equal to the tuition and fee rates in effect for the 2010-2011 academic year or such lesser or greater amount as may be established by law by the General Assembly. Effective immediately.