You currently have the 1000D? The next model up from that is the 400D or 450D which are really good cameras, they're going to do everything you want and take pretty much any lens. I have the 50D and tbh to get the best from it I had to get the f/2.8 70-200mm L series lens which was twice the price of the camera body (more than twice at current prices), that and my f/4 24-105mm are pretty much the only lenses I use with it. My older lenses and more basic kit type lenses just aren't fast enough to get decent results from the camera; I was getting better action shots with them on my old 350D body. There's a new 500D too which could be worth looking at.
Just saw your other post, I have a 350D, they don't make them any more so you'd have to buy 2nd hand but it's a really good camera, perhaps a bit dated now compared to the newer 400 series models but it gives good results. If you look at the sticky threads I put at the top of the Photography board for portrait and action shots a fair few of the photos on them were taken with my 350D. If you were going to splurge a bit though I'd probably say go for a 400 or 450D.
