Amends the Condominium Property Act. Adds the Public Housing Authority as a lessor under the definition of "leasehold condominium". Provides that the execution of a declaration as required by the Act does not make the lessor a developer for purposes of the Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the Teacher Certification Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning a special certification designation for foreign language, specifically includes Asian languages. Effective July 1, 2003.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Deletes language providing that no person may drive a bus that has been chartered for the sole purpose of transporting students regularly enrolled in grade 12 or below to or from interscholastic athletic or interscholastic or school sponsored activities unless the person has a valid school bus driver permit in addition to any other permit or license that is required to operate that bus. Provides that a person may not drive a bus chartered for those purposes that does not meet specified requirements for school buses unless he or she has a commercial driver's license (CDL) with a school bus driver endorsement. Establishes requirements for obtaining a CDL school bus driver endorsement, including certain requirements that also pertain to school bus driver permits. Provides that the requirement of a CDL with a school bus driver endorsement (rather than of a school bus driver permit) does not apply to any bus driver employed by a public transportation provider authorized to conduct local or interurban transportation of passengers when the bus is not traveling a specific school bus route but is on a regularly scheduled route for the transportation of other fare paying passengers.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person engaged in the repair or servicing of vehicles may possess a manufacturer's identification number plate for the purpose of reaffixing it on the same damaged vehicle from which it was originally removed. Provides that the person may reaffix the original manufacturer's identification number plate in place of the identification number plate affixed on a new dashboard that has been installed in the vehicle. Provides that the person must notify the Secretary of State each time the original manufacturer's identification number plate is reaffixed on a vehicle. Provides that the person must keep a record indicating that the identification number plate on the new dashboard has been removed and has been replaced by the manufacturer's identification number plate originally affixed on the vehicle. Provides that the person also must keep a record regarding the status and location of the identification number plate removed from the replacement dashboard. Provides that the Secretary of State shall adopt rules for implementing the new provisions.
Creates the Community Benefits Act. Provides that a nonprofit hospital shall develop (i) an organizational mission statement that identifies the hospital's commitment to serving the health care needs of the community and (ii) a community benefits plan defined as an operational plan for serving the community's health care needs that sets out goals and objectives for providing community benefits that include charity care and government sponsored indigent health care and identifies the populations and communities served by the hospital. Provides that each nonprofit hospital shall prepare an annual report of the community benefits plan to be filed with the Attorney General and provides a civil penalty for failure to file the report.
Amends the Historic Preservation Agency Act. Creates the Freedom Trail Commission. Contains provisions concerning the membership and duties of the commission. Provides that the commission must prepare a master plan to promote and preserve the history of the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State; work in conjunction with State and federal authorities to sponsor commemorations, linkages, seminars, and public forums on the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State and in neighboring states; assist and promote the making of applications for inclusion in the national and State register of historic places for significant historic places related to the freedom trail and the underground railroad in the State; assist and develop partnerships to seek public and private funds to carry out activities to protect, preserve, and promote the legacy of the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State; and work with the Illinois State Board of Education to evaluate, conduct research concerning, and develop a curriculum for use in Illinois public schools regarding the underground railroad, with emphasis on the activities of the underground railroad within this State. Provides that the commission must report its activities and findings to the General Assembly by February 1, 2004. Effective immediately.
Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning the confidentiality of medical records and information. Removes provisions exempting persons from civil or criminal liability or professional discipline who act in good faith concerning the dissemination of information. Effective immediately.
Amends the Civic Center Code. Provides that certain contracts with a value of more than $10,000 (now, $2,500 or $5,000) shall be awarded to the highest or lowest responsible bidder, as the case may be, after advertising for bids. Provides exceptions to the requirement that contracts be awarded to the lowest bidder in certain circumstances.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Establishes a procedure for the imposition and collection of penalties with respect to public utilities other than telecommunications carriers. Provides that civil penalties related to the late filing of reports, taxes, and other filings shall be paid into the Public Utility Fund. Establishes penalties for knowing misrepresentation in testimony before the Illinois Commerce Commission. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that harassment through electronic communications by reason of the harassed person's actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin is a hate crime. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Increases the penalties for unreasonable and vexatious delay. Provides that arbitration with respect to claims under uninsured motorists coverage is binding in all cases. Authorizes a cause of action by persons who are damaged by improper claims practices. Requires the Department of Insurance to publish and make available to the general public information it obtains relating to consumer complaints.
Amends the Counties Code. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning venue of actions by or against counties.
