Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires an incumbent local exchange carrier to structurally separate its retail operations from its wholesale operations in accordance with the requirements of the Commerce Commission. Provides that an incumbent local exchange carrier is the telecommunications carrier that on the effective date of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 provided local exchange services to a majority of the access lines in Illinois. Regulates transactions between retail affiliates and wholesale affiliates. Requires the Commission to begin proceedings to implement structural separation by August 1, 2004 and to conclude the proceedings by February 1, 2005. Requires the Commission to report to the General Assembly by January 14, 2005 on the status of structural separation. Requires telecommunications carriers that provide both competitive and noncompetitive services to make detailed network infrastructure reports to the Commerce Commission each month. Requires the Commission to perform an annual network infrastructure audit on all carriers required to file network infrastructure reports. Provides for the Commission to report its findings regarding network infrastructure to the General Assembly by January 15 of each year. Provides that incumbent local exchange carriers may not declare any dividend or distribution if the carrier is in violation of a Commission order or is subject to a Commission finding of failure to meet structural separation obligations. Effective July 1, 2004.
Amends the Tri-City Regional Port District Act. Makes a technical change in a Section providing that a mayor may hold the office of Commissioner of the District.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning Medicaid rates for nursing homes, provides that for FY04 and for each subsequent fiscal year until the rates for such facilities equal the level in effect on June 30, 2002, all moneys appropriated specifically for Medicaid rate adjustments for such facilities shall be applied first to restoring the rates for nursing homes to the level in effect on June 30, 2002, thereby restoring the 5.9% reduction in rates otherwise required; requires moneys appropriated specifically for rate adjustments in excess of the amount necessary to restore the rates to be applied to making payments in accordance with the new Minimum Data Set (MDS) methodology. Provides that on and after July 1, 2005, such excess moneys shall be applied as follows: (i) 50% shall be applied to making payments to facilities in accordance with the new MDS-based payment methodology; and (ii) 50% shall be applied to provide an equitable percentage increase in the nursing component of the nursing home rates. Provides that on and after July 1, 2005, the rates paid to nursing homes shall not be reduced to an amount less than 9.5% of the nursing rate in effect on June 30, 2002. Effective immediately.
Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.
Proposes to amend the Education Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that beginning on January 1 of the year following adoption of the constitutional amendment, a surtax on or measured by income at a rate of 3% shall be levied annually on that portion of the income of individuals that exceeds $250,000. Provides that all receipts shall be deposited into the Education and Permanent Property Tax Relief Trust Fund. Provides that on July 1 of each year, 50% of the public funds in the Trust Fund shall be distributed in equal amounts to every taxpayer who is an owner-occupier of residential real property in the State and the other 50% shall be distributed equally on a per student basis to improve education in public schools through the secondary level. Effective upon being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act.
Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning charter schools.
Appropriates $750,000 from GRF to the Department of Human Services to match federal funds for a program to allow persons with disabilities to purchase assistive technology devices and services. Effective July 1, 2003.
Appropriates $1 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Medical District at Springfield for its ordinary and contingent expenses. Effective July 1, 2003.
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Makes a technical change concerning the Act's purpose.
Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Check Cashing Act. Limits the amount of the penalty that a casino-based electronic check cashing service may recover from a person who writes a check that is dishonored to the amount of actual damages plus a fee equal to 20% of the face value of the check or $5, whichever is greater (and prohibits recovery of treble damages).
Amends the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 2004. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the requirement of a license.
