Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Changes, from 21 years of age or over to 18 years of age or over, the age at which a person may apply for and be issued a Firearm Owner's Identification Card without the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that the waiting period for acquiring a firearm after its purchase does not apply to the transfer of an operable firearm in exchange for another operable firearm by a federally licensed firearms dealer or at a gun show. Effective immediately.
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning sulfur dioxide emission standards.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that nothing in the provisions concerning coverage for contraceptives shall be construed (i) to require any person or entity to contract for, enter into, issue, or otherwise provide an insurance policy that in the opinion of the person or entity would abridge or violate that person's or entity's conscience as defined in Section 3 of the Health Care Right of Conscience Act or (ii) to abridge any rights guaranteed by the constitutions of the United States or the State of Illinois or the laws of the State of Illinois. Effective January 1, 2004.
Amends the School Code. Provides for the voluntary registration and recognition of non-public elementary and secondary schools in Illinois. Requires assurances of compliance with State and federal laws. Provides for the State Board of Education to prescribe guidelines and procedures. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, and the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984. Provides that if a driver is 90 or more days delinquent in payment of court ordered child support, the court shall (rather than may) suspend the person's driving privileges until the person comes into compliance with the support order. Provides that the court shall (rather than may) order that the person be issued a family financial responsibility driving permit to allow the person to drive for purposes of attending school (as well as for purposes of employment or medical care), if the person has no other means of transportation.
Creates the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority Act. Creates the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority in Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Jefferson, Marion, Washington, and Williamson counties in order to promote economic development within those counties. Contains provisions concerning the powers and duties of the Authority. Allows the Authority to acquire, own, sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of interests in real property and to issue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness for certain purposes. Provides that the Authority shall be governed by a 19-member board. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.
Urges the Federal Communications Commission to grant a permanent waiver of the 11-digit dialing mandate for the 217 region.
Amends the Statute on Statutes. Defines the terms "person", "human being", "child", and "individual" to include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development. Defines "born alive" to mean the complete expulsion or extraction from the mother of an infant, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion. Provides that nothing in these definitions shall be construed to affirm, deny, expand, or contract any legal status or legal right applicable to any member of the species homo sapiens at any point prior to being born alive.
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.
