Rep. Elizabeth Coulson

Recommends that an Illinois Physician Workforce Institute be organized and operated as an independent, unbiased, and not-for-profit research organization whose purpose is to collect, aggregate, analyze, and distribute Illinois-specific physician workforce data to provide objective information for assisting health care, professional, and education organizations, policy makers, and the public on issues related to the supply, demand, distribution, and use of physicians across the State.

Congratulates Brian Hansen, speedskater from Glenview, on winning a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Congratulates Lana Gehring, short-track skater from Glenview, on winning a bronze medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the Cook County Board of Commissioners may override a veto by the County Board President by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of its members (instead of four-fifths). Effective immediately.

Amends the Deposit of State Moneys Act. Authorizes investment in repurchase agreements of government securities having the meaning set out in the Government Securities Act of 1986,"as now or hereafter amended or succeeded". Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that a disease management pilot project undertaken by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall include a study of patient outcomes for patients at risk of low birth weight or premature birth. Provides that low birth weight and premature birth include all medical and other conditions that lead to poor birth outcomes or problematic pregnancies. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning applicability of the Act.

Amends the State Prompt Payment Act. Removes a provision that requires vendors to initiate a written request for the payment of an interest penalty that is at least $5 but less than $50. Removes a provision that authorizes the Department of Central Management Services and the State Comptroller to adopt rules establishing when interest penalties of less than $5 may be claimed and paid. Effective July 1, 2009.

Creates the Illinois Public Safety Special Needs Alert Program Act. Establishes the Special Needs Alert Program (SNAP) database to ensure persons with disabilities or special needs or both have the same access to public safety services as provided to all citizens. Requires public safety agencies to make reasonable efforts to publicize the SNAP database and provides how a special needs person or family member or care giver of a special needs person can enter emergency contact information into the SNAP database. Contains provisions concerning the verification of information entered into the database; the dissemination of emergency information entered into SNAP to other public safety agencies during an emergency 9-1-1 call; the confidentiality of information entered into SNAP; liability; defined terms; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Creates the Crossing of Railroad Right-of-way Act. Applies only to crossings of a railroad right-of-way that is owned by a land management company and not a registered rail carrier. Provides that public utilities that locate their facilities within the railroad right-of-way for a crossing shall pay the land management company a one-time standard crossing fee of $1,500 for each crossing. Provides special circumstances under which the standard crossing fee is not imposed. Provides that, if the parties cannot agree that special circumstances exist, the dispute shall be submitted to non-binding arbitration. Provides procedures for the non-binding arbitration and provides that, if the parties cannot resolve their dispute based on the arbitrator's recommendation within 30 days, either party may, upon the expiration of the 30-day period, give written notice to the other party of the commencement of a binding arbitration proceeding. Effective immediately.