Rep. Daniel V. Beiser

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that State benefits fraud is a Class 3 felony if $300 or less is obtained and a Class 2 felony if more than $300 is obtained (rather than a Class 4 felony if the amount of benefits obtained is $300 or less and a Class 3 felony if more than $300 is obtained) if a person knowingly misrepresents oneself as a veteran or as a dependent of a veteran with the intent of obtaining benefits or privileges provided by the State or its political subdivisions to veterans or their dependents.

Amends the Illinois Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Provides definitions of "affiliate", "control", and "person". Provides that, if a health insurance issuer elects to discontinue offering all health insurance coverage in the individual market in Illinois, health insurance coverage may be discontinued by the issuer if, in the case where the issuer has affiliates in the individual market, the issuer gives notice to each affected individual at least 180 days prior to the date of the expiration of coverage of the individual's option to purchase all other individual health benefit plans currently offered by any affiliate of the carrier. Provides that, if an issuer elects to discontinue offering all health insurance coverage in the individual market, its affiliates shall offer an individual health benefit plan to all individuals nonrenewed by that issuer on a guarantee issue basis, if the individual applies for coverage no later than 63 days after the discontinuation of coverage. Provides that, in any case where a health insurance issuer elects to uniformly modify coverage, uniformly terminate coverage, or discontinue coverage in a marketplace, the issuer shall provide notice to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation prior to notifying the plan sponsors, participants, beneficiaries, and covered individuals. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Military Reservist Business Assistance Loan Program to make loans to small businesses (i) that lose an owner, a manager, or a key employee due to a period of military conflict and (ii) that will experience economic injury as a result of the loss of that owner, manager, or key employee. Authorizes the Department to accept grants, loans, or appropriations and associated contracts and agreements for purposes similar to this program. Limits the total amount of any loan awarded under the program to $150,000. Requires the Department to adopt rules concerning the administration of the program and to create a competitive application procedure. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Creates the offense of theft by emergency exit. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she commits a retail theft and to facilitate the theft he or she leaves the retail mercantile establishment by use of a designated emergency exit. Establishes penalties. Effective immediately.

Amends the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act. Provides that a provider agency may recruit volunteers for the purpose of increasing public awareness and providing transportation and companion services to eligible adults. Effective immediately.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Long Term Care Facility Residents Reporting Act. Requires the Inspector General to immediately notify the Department of State Police or the appropriate law enforcement entity (now, only the Department of State Police) if the Inspector General determines that a possible criminal act has been committed or that special expertise is required in the investigation. Makes corresponding changes. Provides that the Department of State Police shall investigate any report from a State-operated facility (now, any report) indicating a possible murder, rape, or other felony. Effective immediately.

Amends the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Provides that the definition of "pecuniary loss" includes the first month's rent and security deposit of the dwelling that the claimant relocated to and other reasonable relocation expenses incurred as a result of the violent crime.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides for various enhanced penalties for assaulting or harming an emergency management worker that is acting in the course of performing his or her official duties or in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Creates the offense of obstructing an emergency management worker. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to provide that a person convicted of the first degree murder of an emergency management worker in the course of performing his or her official duties or in retaliation for performing his or her official duties shall be sentenced to a term of natural life imprisonment. Effective January 1, 2006.

Amends the School Code. Allows a school board (other than the Chicago Board of Education) to appoint a student to the board to serve in an advisory capacity for a term as determined by the board. Provides that the board may not grant the student member any voting privileges, but shall consider the student member as an advisor. Effective July 1, 2005.

Creates the Social Security Numbers Limited Use Act. Prohibits the use of social security numbers by persons or entities except for certain uses. Provides that an individual's social security number may not be printed on an insurance card. Prohibits private universities and colleges and private business and vocational schools from printing an individual's social security number on any card or other document required for the individual to access products or services provided by the institution. Provides criminal penalties. Amends the University of Illinois Act, the Southern Illinois University Management Act, the Chicago State University Law, the Eastern Illinois University Law, the Governors State University Law, the Illinois State University Law, the Northeastern Illinois University Law, the Northern Illinois University Law, the Western Illinois University Law, and the Public Community College Act to prohibit the printing of an individual's social security number on any card or other document required for the individual to access products or services provided by the institution. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to repeal a Section prohibiting the use of an individual's social security number on an insurance card. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately, except certain provisions effective July 1, 2006.