Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law of the Property Tax Code. Sets forth procedures that taxing districts must follow when seeking referendum approval after April 5, 2005 to increase (i) the maximum authorized tax rate for any fund for which the taxing district is authorized by statute to levy taxes and which rate is limited by prior referendum or statutory authorization and which rate is authorized by statute to be increased for a limited or unlimited number of years by direct (and not back door) referendum, except for increases that require an equal corresponding tax rate decrease for another fund or (ii) the maximum extended tax rate applicable only to the next taxes to be either levied or extended for any fund notwithstanding the limiting rate that would otherwise be applicable for such taxing district. Sets forth requirements for form of ballot propositions and referendum notices. Sets forth procedures for setting the new tax rates. Provides that a taxing district is limited to an extension limitation (instead of "extension increase") of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index during the 12-month calendar year preceding the levy year, whichever is less.
Sponsored bills
Creates the Ryan White Fund Validation Act. Validates actions taken and grants made under a Section of the Communicable Disease Prevention Act relating to the Ryan White Pediatric and Adult AIDS Fund (now repealed). That Section was created by Public Act 88-669, which has been held to be unconstitutional as a violation of the single subject clause of the Illinois Constitution. Effective immediately.
Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act of 1987. Prohibits drug product selection in refills of anti-epileptic drugs without notification and the documented consent of the prescriber and patient or the participating provider. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning eligibility for financial aid under the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) program for individuals who have been found ineligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to expiration of the period of eligibility for refugees and asylees under federal law, deletes a provision that such financial aid is available until July 1, 2006. Provides that in enacting this amendatory Act, the General Assembly specifically intends that AABD financial aid for persons who have been found ineligible for SSI due to expiration of the period of eligibility for refugees and asylees under federal law shall not be available only until July 1, 2006 but shall remain available on and after July 1, 2006 until the General Assembly expressly provides otherwise. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Illinois Identification Card Act. Provides that, when information is obtained from a driver's license or identification card to identify or prove the age of the holder of the license or identification card, or in the course of a commercial transaction, that information may be used only for purposes of identification of the individual or for completing the commercial transaction in which the information was obtained. Provides that the information may not be used for any other purpose and may not be provided to a third party. Provides that a person whose driver's license or identification card information was used in violation of the provision is entitled to recover actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages in the amount of $250 for each violation, plus attorney's fees and costs. Creates exceptions.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that no later than July 1, 2007, subject to federal approval of a State Medicaid Plan amendment, which shall be sought by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or its successor agency, persons who fail to qualify for basic maintenance under the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) program on the basis of need because of excess income or assets, or both, may establish prospective eligibility for that basic maintenance by paying their monthly Medicaid spend-down amount to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or by having a third party pay that amount to the Department.
Amends the Good Samaritan Act. Provides immunity against criminal liability, civil damages, or medical malpractice damages for any acts or omissions, for any physician licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to practice medicine in all its branches or licensed to practice the treatment of human ailments in any other state or territory of the United States; any dental emergency responder; any licensed nurse; any licensed physicians assistant; any licensed EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, or EMT-Paramedic; and any First Responder who provides volunteer Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) services to any person or animal in any law enforcement incident or training situation, or any other law enforcement related situation, including disasters, in civil unrest, or methamphetamine lab interdiction.
Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to change the repeal date of the Illinois Optometric Act of 1987 from January 1, 2007 to January 1, 2017. Amends the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987. Removes all references to certificates and therapeutical certification throughout the Act. Replaces all references to "Department of Professional Regulation" with "Department of Financial and Professional Regulation" and replaces all references to "Director of Professional Regulation" with "Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation" throughout the Act. Provides that the practice of optometry includes the appropriate use of ocular pharmaceutical agents, rather than diagnostic ocular pharmaceutical agents and therapeutic ocular pharmaceutical agents. Provides that the civil penalties for unlicensed practice and for violation of the Act shall not exceed $10,000 (now, $5,000). Removes a provision concerning initial Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board terms. Creates the position of optometric coordinator. Provides that the optometric coordinator shall be the chief enforcement officer of the Act and shall serve at the will of the Board. Provides that all licenses without "Therapeutic Certification" that are on inactive status as of March 31, 2006 shall be placed on non-renewed status and may only be restored after the licensee meets those requirements established by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Proposes to amend the Judiciary Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides for the appointment of Supreme and Appellate Court Judges, and Circuit Judges in the First Judicial District and circuits adopting merit selection by referendum, by the Governor from nominees submitted by Judicial Nominating Commissions. Permits other Judicial Circuits to adopt by referendum a plan for merit selection of Circuit Judges. Provides that Judicial Review Commissions shall be established to decide whether appointed Judges shall be retained. Provides for Associate Judges to be phased out in the First Judicial District and in circuits adopting merit selection. Makes other changes. Effective upon approval by the electors.
Proposes to amend the Judiciary Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that judicial vacancies in the Circuit of Cook County, including those created by the expiration of a term of office, shall be filled by appointments by the Illinois Supreme Court from nominees submitted by circuit-wide and subcircuit Judicial Nominating Commissions. Provides that Judges of the Circuit of Cook County may be retained in office by approval of Judicial Review Commissions or by approval of three-fifths of the voters at retention elections. Provides for appointment of the various commissions. Effective upon being declared adopted, and applies to vacancies occurring on or after the following July 1.