Congratulates Sherry Meadows and the volunteers, cancer survivors, and participants for their extensive work in support of the Mt. Vernon Relay for Life annual event.
Recognizes Central Christian Church of Mt. Vernon on the occasion of its sesquicentennial anniversary.
Creates the Structured Settlement Protection Act. Requires that certain disclosures be given to a payee before the payee enters into a structured settlement for the payment of a tort claim or a settlement of a workers' compensation claim. Provides that a payee may not transfer structured payment settlement rights without approval by a court or responsible administrative authority. Establishes a procedure for the approval of transfers of structured settlement payment rights.
Creates the Illinois Early Learning Council Act. Establishes the Illinois Early Learning Council to coordinate existing State programs and services for children from birth to 5 years of age in order to better meet the early learning needs of children and their families. Provides for the appointment of members to the Council who represent both public and private organizations and who shall serve on a voluntary, unpaid basis.
Amends the State Finance Act. Requires appropriations for higher education to be by separate line items and not by lump sum. Defines terms. Effective immediately.
Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Extends the partial exemption from the taxes imposed by these Acts on gasohol to December 31, 2013 (now ends on July 1, 2003), gradually reducing the partial exemption to zero after December 31, 2013. Partially exempts E85 blend fuel and bio-diesel blend fuel in the same amount and according to the same schedule as gasohol. Provides that if, at any time, the tax under these Acts on gasohol, E85 blend fuel, and bio-diesel blend fuel is imposed at 1.25%, then the partial exemption of the tax on those items does not apply during that time. Effective immediately.
Congratulates the twelve recipients of the Jefferson County Senior Saints Award.
Mourns the death of Lance Cpl. Nicholas Kleiboeker of Odin who was killed on May 13, 2003 while serving near Al Hillah, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Congratulates Fred Rakers, Harold "Joe" Heinzmann, Janice Wiegmann, and Bishop Stanley Schlarman on being inducted into the Mater Dei Hall of Honor on May 10, 2003.
Congratulates the Breese Chamber of Commerce on the 50th anniversary of its existence.
