Rep. Bill Mitchell

Resolves that until sufficient funding is appropriated to bring the Medicaid payments cycle down to an average of 30 days and pensions are funded based on a funding schedule consistent with the guidelines of the original 1995 Pension Funding Law, future budgets should not contain appropriations for member initiatives or special add-on projects benefiting only a small portion of the State.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that it is a Class A misdemeanor for any person to display any plastinated human remains in the State of Illinois until: (1) the person submits to the Illinois Attorney General written documentation of the cause of death and origin of the remains; and (2) the person submits to the Illinois Attorney General proof that the decedent consented to the use of his or her remains in such a manner.

Creates the Appropriation Sunshine Act. Provides that a bill making an appropriation may not be considered for final passage by either the House of Representatives or the Senate unless a copy of that bill, in its final form, has been made conveniently available on the General Assembly's Internet website for at least 7 days before the bill is considered for final passage by that chamber. Provides that a motion adopted by a record vote of at least three-fifths of the members elected, the House of Representatives or the Senate may provide that this restriction does not apply to that chamber with respect to any one or more bills specified in the motion by bill number. Effective immediately.

Creates the Appropriation Sunshine Act. Provides that a bill making an appropriation may not be considered for final passage by either the House of Representatives or the Senate unless a copy of that bill, in its final form, has been made conveniently available on the General Assembly's Internet website for at least 14 days before the bill is considered for final passage by that chamber. Provides that a motion adopted by a record vote of at least three-fifths of the members elected, the House of Representatives or the Senate may provide that this restriction does not apply to that chamber with respect to any one or more bills specified in the motion by bill number. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Community College Act. From appropriations made for these purposes, requires the Illinois Community College Board to implement a transitional grant program to assist those community colleges that have received less State grant funding in a given fiscal year than they received the previous fiscal year and that are located in regions of this State identified by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as experiencing a cycle of economic or population decline or both. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the Election Code. Prohibits the use of voting equipment or systems other than optical scan technology voting systems.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning State goals and assessment.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In connection with the medical assistance program, provides that on and after July 1, 2008, the minimum inpatient per diem rate to be paid to a hospital for psychiatric services shall be no less than the highest per diem base rate established by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for any hospital that newly qualifies to deliver psychiatric inpatient services on or after December 31, 2006. Effective immediately.

Congratulates the residents of the Village of Forsyth on the occasion of the village's 50th anniversary.

Congratulates Rodney Vincent Hogan of Buckingham on his 80th birthday.