Amends the Alternate Fuels Act. Provides that beginning July 1, 2005, owners of vehicles using domestic renewable fuel are eligible to apply for a fuel cost differential rebate. Provides that biodiesel blended fuel facilities may be included in the Alternate Fuel Infrastructure Program administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that "alternate fuel" includes, among other fuels, "80% bio-based methanol" (instead of "bio-based methanol"), fuels that are 80% (instead of 70%) derived from biomass, and hydrogen fuel. Provides that "domestic renewable fuel" includes, among other fuels, "80% bio-based methanol" (instead of "bio-based methanol") and 20% biodiesel fuel (instead of "fuels derived from bio mass"). Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Mourns the death of James E. Redden of Marion.
Mourns the death of Pete Moschino of Coello.
Mourns the death of Al Oxford of Johnston City.
Congratulates Billy Grammer of Valier on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
Honors and recognizes Walter H. Warfield, Executive Director of the Illinois Association of School Administrators, for his 38 years of service and outstanding leadership in the field of education and wishes him the best in his retirement.
Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Allows the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Board to establish conditions and procedures under which the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan may discount or subsidize premiums for unemployed or retired coal miners who are federally eligible and whose employer-provided health insurance coverage was terminated on September 28, 2004, and to accept funds appropriated for this purpose. Allows unemployed or retired coal miners who are federally eligible and whose employer-provided health insurance coverage was terminated on September 28, 2004 to be eligible for the Plan even though their premiums may be discounted or subsidized. Requires federally eligible unemployed or retired coal miners whose employer-provided health insurance coverage was terminated on September 28, 2004 to pay the discounted or subsidized premiums established by the Board. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.
Creates the Newborn Eye Pathology Act. Establishes the Newborn Eye Pathology Screening Task Force to advise the Department of Public Health on newborn eye pathology screening protocol. Provides that the Department, in consultation with representatives of the Newborn Eye Pathology Task Force, shall adopt the protocol developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics to optimally detect the presence of treatable causes of blindness in infants by 2 months of age. Provides that the Act shall not be construed to supersede the clinical judgment of the licensed health care provider or a parent or guardian of a newborn who objects to the examination on the grounds that the examination conflicts with his or her religious beliefs or practices.
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, on state-owned or managed lands and waters, members of the public (rather than 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, recreational shooting, operation of an off-highway vehicle, rock climbing, trapping, horseback riding of an entrant's own horse or horses, fishing, swimming, boating, camping, picnicking, water or snow skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling. Effective immediately.