Rep. Thomas Holbrook

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no company writing medical liability insurance in this State may increase any rates or premiums or cancel any policies of any class of medical liability insurance for a period of 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Provides an exception to the cancellation limitation. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 1993. Provides that a person who applies for licensure as a locksmith or business entity that applies for licensure as a locksmith agency between September 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003 shall be exempt from the examination requirement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Authorizes quick-take proceedings by the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority from August 30, 2003 to August 30, 2005 (instead of May 22, 1998 to August 30, 2002). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning medical liability insurance.

Amends the Recreational Use of Land and Water Areas Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to encourage owners of land to make land and water areas available to any individual or members of the public (now, to make land and water areas available to the public) for recreational or conservation purposes by limiting their liability toward persons entering thereon for such purposes. Provides that residential buildings are not included in the definition of "land". Changes the definition of "recreational or conservation purpose" to include hunting, hiking, pleasure driving, motorcycling, operation of an all terrain vehicle, rock climbing, trapping, horseback riding of an entrant's own horse or horses, fishing, swimming, boating, camping, picnicking, nature study, water or snow skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, other summer and winter sports, and viewing or enjoying historical, archaeological, scenic, or scientific sites (now, defined as any activity undertaken for conservation, resource management, exercise, education, relaxation, or pleasure). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning a county board's use of tax moneys.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Authorizes quick-take proceedings by the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority from August 30, 2003 to August 30, 2005, subject to the written approval of the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation based upon the overall economic development and fiscal plans and needs of the State of Illinois (instead of from May 22, 1998 to August 30, 2002). Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning sulfur dioxide emission standards.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that none of the amount received by an individual as primary social security old age and disability retirement benefits shall constitute disqualifying income.

Amends the State Fire Marshal Act. Provides that the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall administer a fire equipment and hazardous materials equipment grant program to provide grants for the purchase of fire equipment and equipment for handling hazardous materials by units of local government. Provides that the Office shall determine eligibility for the grants based on need, as determined by the Office, and that the grants, subject to appropriation, shall be paid out of moneys appropriated to the Office for that purpose. Provides that the Office shall adopt rules to administer the grant program. Effective immediately.