News from Senator Peter Roskam Senate Republican Whip
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		315 West Wesley Street	309H State House
		Wheaton, Illinois 60187	Springfield, Illinois 62706
		630-690-4500	217/782-8022
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	For Immediate Release
	Date:  December 19, 2005/pk

Senate Week in Review: Dec. 12-16

Springfield, IL – A bill signed into law this week will require school districts to disclose how much money they make from vending machines, class rings, and other contracts, according to Senator Peter Roskam (R- Wheaton).

Senator Roskam says the new law, which was sponsored by Senate Republicans, requires school boards to include a report in their annual budget indicating for the prior year the vendor name, the product or service provided, and the net revenue and non-monetary compensation from each contract or agreement over $1,000.

School boards are to report revenue from vending machine contracts, sports and other attire, class rings, and photographic services. It will also require the report to indicate for what purpose the revenue was used and how and to whom the non-monetary compensation was distributed.

The new law comes in the midst of the continued debate on allowing certain kinds of junk food to be sold in schools. One of the main arguments for continuing to sell seemingly unhealthy snacks in schools is the amount of dollars generated for a school district that would be lost otherwise. The new law will shed some sunshine onto how much money is generated in the face of potential long-term health problems and unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Other legislation signed during the week of Dec. 12-16 includes:

• Transportation (HB 3814)- Allows a combination of three commercial vehicles on the highway if the overall length of the combination does not exceed 65 feet and other specified conditions are met.
   
• Construction and Hiring (SB 766)- Prohibits any state construction agency from using specific procurement methods unless the agency verifies in writing that the project will comply with Illinois’ disadvantaged business and equal employment practices.

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