Appropriates $2 from the Metro-East Public Transportation Supplemental Fund to the Department of Revenue for distribution for public transportation purposes. Effective July 1, 2004.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that a Medicare beneficiary or a beneficiary of pharmaceutical assistance under the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act is entitled to obtain prescription drugs at prices based on a pharmacy's Medicaid reimbursement rates. Requires that pharmacies implement this prescription drug discount benefit as a condition of participating in the Medicaid program. Requires the Department of Public Aid to make certain reports to the General Assembly and to execute necessary interagency agreements with the Department on Aging and the Department of Revenue. Provides for evaluation of the prescription drug discount benefit if prescription drugs are covered by Medicare. Repeals these provisions on July 1, 2007.
Amends the University of Illinois Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Board of Trustees.
Creates the Illinois Common Sense Medical Malpractice Insurance Reform Act. Provides that: for any liability policy for healthcare providers issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2004, every insurer shall reduce its rates and premiums to no more than 80% of the rate and premium for the same coverage that was in effect on January 1, 2003; between January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2005, rates and premiums may be increased if the Director of Insurance finds that an insurer is substantially threatened with insolvency; beginning January 1, 2004, rates and premiums may be increased if approved in accordance with specified conditions; a healthcare provider applying for a policy for the first time on or after January 1, 2004 shall not be charged more than 80% of the rate and premium that was being charged by that insurer on January 1, 2003 for similarly situated risks; and any separate affiliate of a healthcare provider liability insurer established on or after January 1, 2003 shall reduce its rates and premiums to no more than 80% at the insurer's rates and premiums in effect on January 1, 2003. Sets forth factors to be used in determining rates and premiums for liability insurance policies for healthcare providers. Contains provisions concerning: applicability of other laws; permitted activities; cancellation or non-renewal of insurance; disclosure of premiums; approval of rate changes; hearings; rules; establishment of a joint underwriting authority under specified circumstances; group insurance; enforcement and penalties; filing fees to cover administrative or operational costs; construction; and severability. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Property Control Act. Authorizes institutions of higher education subject to the Act to donate transferable property to not-for-profit entities for use in Illinois. Effective immediately.
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, if an insurance policyholder may be liable to the State or a unit of local government for costs of removal and remedial action relating to hazardous waste or pesticides under the Act or under any other law or ordinance establishing liability for environmental cleanup costs, the State or unit of local government may bring a cause of action against the policyholder's insurer for those costs.
Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that if the receipt of a firearm does not violate federal or State law, the Department of State Police shall (1) assign a unique identification number to the transfer; (2) provide the licensee with the number; and (3) destroy all records of the system with respect to the call, other than the identifying number and the date the number was assigned, and all records of the system relating to the person or the transfer within 24 hours. Provides that if the transfer of a firearm is denied by the Department of State Police, the Department of State Police may keep the records of a denial until the denial is appealed and overturned, or as long as necessary for a criminal prosecution. Provides that approvals issued by the Department of State Police for the purchase of a firearm are valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Provides that the Department of State Police may not retain, copy, or distribute any information previously collected under the dial up system.
Amends the School Code and the Good Samaritan Act. Beginning July 1, 2005, provides that initial issuance of a teaching certificate is contingent upon certification in first aid and CPR. Provides that the State Board of Education shall accept first aid and CPR certificates from the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or any other nationally recognized certifying organization approved by the Department of Public Health. Provides that an individual or entity providing training in the use of first aid or CPR is not liable for civil damages as a result of any act or omission involving the act of performing first aid or CPR, except for willful or wanton misconduct. Provides that a trained teacher who performs first aid or CPR is not liable for civil damages as a result of any act or omission involving the act of performing first aid or CPR or from a failure to respond, except for willful or wanton misconduct. Provides that a school district or non-public school that employs teachers that are trained in first aid or CPR is not liable for civil damages as a result of any act or omission involving the act of performing first aid or CPR or from failure of a trained teacher to respond, except for willful or wanton misconduct.
Creates the Pistol and Revolver Ballistic Identification Databank Act. Provides that beginning April 1, 2005, any manufacturer that ships, transports, or delivers a pistol or revolver to any person in this State must, in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of State Police, include in the container with the pistol or revolver a separate sealed container that encloses: (1) a shell casing of a bullet or projectile discharged from the pistol or revolver; and (2) any additional information that identifies the pistol or revolver and shell casing as required by the rules adopted by the Department of State Police. Provides that beginning April 1, 2005, a gunsmith or federally licensed firearm dealer must, within 10 days after delivering to any person a pistol or revolver received by the gunsmith or dealer on or after that date, forward to the Department of State Police, along with a description of the firearm, including its make, model, caliber, and serial number, the sealed container enclosing the shell casing from the pistol or revolver either (1) received from the manufacturer or (2) obtained through participation in the program operated by the Department of State Police. Provides that a person who knowingly violates the Act is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class A misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Reinstates the research and development credit beginning with taxable years ending on or after July 1, 2004 with changes. Provides that the credit is equal to 6.5% of the qualifying expenditures for research activities paid or incurred in this State during the taxable year. Provides that "qualifying expenditures for research activities" means those expenses defined as "qualified research expenses" under Section 41(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Exempts the credit from the sunset requirements of the Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Provides that after June 1, 2003 persons may not be nominated for General Assembly scholarships and that General Assembly scholarships may not be awarded after that date unless the nomination is made prior to that date. Prevents both second nominations for any lapsed General Assembly scholarship and nominating persons to the unused or unexpired parts of any vacated General Assembly scholarship after June 1, 2003. Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Prohibits the governing board of a university from offering either a full or partial tuition waiver to any of the university's students. Makes related changes in the School Code, Educational Partnership Act, Board of Higher Education Act, Higher Education Student Assistance Act, and Senior Citizen Courses Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Adds a caption to a Section concerning Veterans home funding.
