Rep. Naomi D. Jakobsson

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Requires that the State Long Term Care Ombudsman be provided with (1) a copy of a notice of involuntary transfer or discharge of a resident from a nursing home, (2) notice of the emergency removal of a resident from a nursing home, and (3) notice of the voluntary closing of a nursing hame. Provides that the State Long Term Care Ombudsman shall have the opportunity to file a request for a hearing with the Department of Public Health within 10 days following receipt of a written notice of the involuntary transfer or discharge of a resident by a nursing home. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $57,600,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services to fund a full 5% Cost of Doing Business increase in the topline rates of private sector agencies serving individuals with developmental disabilities. Effective July 1, 2006.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, beginning with taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2005, each taxpayer is entitled to an income tax credit in the amount of fees paid in the taxable year by the taxpayer to a recycler for the acceptance of any electronic equipment surrendered by the taxpayer. Provides that the tax credit may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero and may not be carried forward or back to apply to any other taxable year. Exempts the credit from the sunset provisions of the Act. Effective July 1, 2005.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides lien enforcement procedures concerning liens on real property filed by a municipality to recover costs incurred by the municipality to enforce ordinances that prohibit the presence of garbage, inoperable vehicles, vermin, and unmown grass and weeds on real property. Effective immediately.

Creates the Blind Vendors Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Blind Services, shall operate and promote the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth that the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act and the regulations adopted pursuant to that Act shall serve as the minimum standards for the operation of the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Provides that under the Program: (1) blind vendors have priority in the operation of all vending facilities on State property; (2) vending machine income from all vending machines on State property shall be assigned to the blind vendor on the property or to the Blind Vendors Trust Fund; (3) no State agency may impose any commission, service charge, rent, or utility charge on a blind vendor operating on State property; (4) sales made at a blind vendor's vending facility are exempt from all occupation and use taxes; and (5) State agencies may not allow competition with a blind vendor. Sets forth that the Bureau Director for the Bureau of the Blind and the Committee of Blind Vendors shall jointly develop regulations to ensure that priority is given to blind vendors in the operation of vending facilities on State property. Provides that the Department may provide for set-asides of the net proceeds of vending operations under certain conditions. Requires set-aside funds to be deposited in the Blind Vendors Trust Fund, a separate account managed by the Department for the State's blind vendors. Sets forth provisions for the distribution of vending machine income from vending machines on State property. Provides certain conditions for the licensing of blind vendors. Creates the Committee of Blind Vendors to jointly participate in the development and implementation of all policies, plans, and major decisions affecting the Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. Sets forth provisions for the composition of the Committee. Provides certain procedures for the resolution of disputes arising within the Program. Provides for the promulgation of regulations relating to the operation of this Act. Requires the Department to make regular surveys and reports on State property and vending facilities. Sets forth conditions and information to be contained in the surveys and reports. Preempts home rule powers. Repeals the Blind Persons Operating Vending Facilities Act. Amends the Use Tax Act, Service Use Tax Act, Service Occupation Tax Act, and Retailers' Occupation Tax Act to provide that personal property purchased from a blind vendor's vending facility licensed by the Department of Human Services under the Blind Vendors Act is exempt from the taxes imposed by those Acts and that these exemptions are not subject to the sunset provisions of those Acts.

Amends the Executive Reorganization Implementation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Veterans' Affairs for the payment of scholarships to students who are spouses or dependents of Illinois resident military personnel declared to be prisoners of war, missing in action, killed, or permanently disabled. Effective July 1, 2006.

Amends the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act. Adds a Section concerning the supervision of nurses. Contains only a caption.

Amends the School Code. In school districts other than the Chicago school district, reduces the probationary period of time before a teacher enters upon contractual continued service. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.