Rep. Steve Davis

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Adds a Section concerning Broadband Services. Contains only a caption.

Creates the Illinois Opportunity Fund Act. Contains provisions intended to increase the availability and facilitate the delivery of institutional venture capital to emerging and expanding enterprises in the State of Illinois. Defines the role of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Creates the Illinois Opportunity Fund and provides for the creation of the Illinois Capital Investment Corporation. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Opportunity Special Projects Fund. Amends the Illinois State Auditing Act to authorize audits of the Corporation and the Fund. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State must examine every licensed driver at least once every 10 (rather than 8) years. Requires the Secretary to adopt rules providing for the renewal for a 10 year period of non-commercial driver's licenses for persons aged 25 through 64. Provides that persons aged 65 (rather than 69) through 80 are subject to their own schedule of fees for licenses and permits. Sets fees for renewal of a 10 year license. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change regarding the Commerce Commission.

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Changes the definitions of "peace officer" and "fire fighter" to include certain part-time, volunteer, and civilian employees of police and fire departments.

Creates the Wetlands Protection Act. Provides that any person who intends to discharge dredged or fill material into a wetland, drain a wetland, or excavate a wetland resulting in more than incidental fallback may request a determination from the Environmental Protection Agency as to the existence, location, and surface area of any wetlands on or contiguous to the affected property. Provides for the classification of wetlands and provides different criteria for obtaining a permit for the regulated activity based on the classification. Creates the Illinois Wetlands Advisory Committee. Preempts home rule. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Wetlands Management Fund.

Appropriates $3,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for the purpose of reopening the Alton Mental Health Center. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Common Sense Medical Malpractice Insurance Reform Act. Provides that: for any liability policy for healthcare providers issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2004, every insurer shall reduce its rates and premiums to no more than 80% of the rate and premium for the same coverage that was in effect on January 1, 2003; between January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2005, rates and premiums may be increased if the Director of Insurance finds that an insurer is substantially threatened with insolvency; beginning January 1, 2004, rates and premiums may be increased if approved in accordance with specified conditions; a healthcare provider applying for a policy for the first time on or after January 1, 2004 shall not be charged more than 80% of the rate and premium that was being charged by that insurer on January 1, 2003 for similarly situated risks; and any separate affiliate of a healthcare provider liability insurer established on or after January 1, 2003 shall reduce its rates and premiums to no more than 80% at the insurer's rates and premiums in effect on January 1, 2003. Sets forth factors to be used in determining rates and premiums for liability insurance policies for healthcare providers. Contains provisions concerning: applicability of other laws; permitted activities; cancellation or non-renewal of insurance; disclosure of premiums; approval of rate changes; hearings; rules; establishment of a joint underwriting authority under specified circumstances; group insurance; enforcement and penalties; filing fees to cover administrative or operational costs; construction; and severability. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that bond insurance, title insurance, and any type of mortgage insurance are not "supplies" within the Code's definition.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that no transfers may be made, in order to help defray the State's operating costs for the fiscal year, from the Road Fund or the State Construction Account Fund on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Effective July 1, 2004.