Rep. Naomi D. Jakobsson

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2003, the tax with respect to textbooks required for use at State universities and public community colleges or at institutions of higher learning as defined in the Illinois Financial Assistance Act for Nonpublic Institutions of Higher Learning is imposed under these Acts at the rate of 1.25% (eliminating the State's portion of the tax). Authorizes the Department of Revenue to adopt rules. Amends the State Finance Act to adjust the distribution with respect to this tax. Effective immediately.

Creates the Mercury Fever Thermometer Prohibition Act. Sets forth legislative findings. Provides that (1) on or after July 1, 2004, no person shall sell, distribute, or give for promotional purposes (including online retail) mercury fever thermometers in this State and (2) on or after July 1, 2004, no hospital shall distribute mercury fever thermometers in maternity or new baby gift packs to patients. Provides that these prohibitions do not apply to mercury fever thermometers sold or provided to be used in a health care facility. Provides that on or after July 1, 2004, no person shall manufacture a mercury fever thermometer in this State. Provides that a person who violates the Act is guilty of a petty offense and upon conviction is subject to a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $200 for each violation.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the members of the State Board of Education.

Amends the Illinois Farm Development Act. Provides that to be eligible for certain State guarantees, a farmer must be a principal operator of a farm or land, at least 30% (instead of 50%) of whose annual income is derived from farming and whose debt to asset ratio shall not exceed the maximum limit established by the Illinois Farm Development Authority (instead of "shall not be less than 40%"). Provides that State guarantees under certain programs shall not exceed $1,000,000 (instead of $500,000). Provides that the collateral acceptable to the Authority must be at least equal to the gross loan amount (instead of "at least equal to the State's portion of the Guarantee to be provided"). Deletes a provision that to be eligible for State guarantees, a farmer's net worth may not exceed $500,000. Deletes a provision stating that a lender may not withdraw a State guarantee if the loan contract provides for an interest rate that may vary. Changes the name of the "Young Farmer Loan Guarantee Program" to the "Illinois Farmer Loan Guarantee Program". Makes other changes.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning presumption of innocence and proof of guilt.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Care Purchasing Group Act, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Provides that upon the written request of a sponsor of a group health plan, the health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage under the plan must report to the sponsor information from the 12 months preceding the date of the report regarding: (1) the total amount of charges submitted to the health insurance issuer for persons covered under the plan; (2) the total amount of payments made by the health insurance issuer to health care providers for persons covered under the plan; (3) to the extent available, information on claims paid by type of health care provider; and (4) the diagnosis codes for payment of claims that exceed $25,000. Provides that the plan sponsor may use the information only for purposes relating to obtaining and maintaining health insurance coverage for the sponsor's employees (if the sponsor is an employer) or members (if the sponsor is an employee organization).

Amends the State Finance Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the State Aid Continuing Appropriation Law. Makes the Law applicable to fiscal year 2004 and each fiscal year thereafter. Provides that if the General Assembly fails to make Common School Fund appropriations to the State Board of Education in fiscal year 2004 and in each fiscal year thereafter sufficient to fund the general State aid, supplemental general State aid, and supplementary grants in aid provisions of the State aid formula, the Law shall constitute an irrevocable and continuing appropriation from the Common School Fund of all amounts necessary for those purposes. Removes a provision that provides for the Law's repeal on June 30, 2003. Effective immediately.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Exempts the e-mail addresses of university students, employees, and governing board members from the Act's copying and inspection requirements. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to develop and market an Illinois trivia game based on questions submitted by Illinois elementary and secondary school students. Proceeds from the sale of the game shall be deposited into the Common School Fund.