Rep. Julie Hamos

Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the MI Olmstead Initiative of 2004 to establish a 5-year program to provide individuals with mental illness or a co-occurring disorder of mental illness and substance abuse with appropriate residential and community-based support services. Requires the Department of Human Services to identify potential participants for the program. Sets forth the services and supports that constitute the program. Requires that implementation of the program begin by July 1, 2005. Requires the Department to annually report to the General Assembly concerning the program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Aeronautics Act. Makes a technical change in a definitions Section.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Exempts taxes levied under the Park District Code by a park district that is a party to a joint agreement to provide recreational programs for the handicapped if the taxes are levied for the purpose of funding the district's share of the expenses of providing programs under the joint agreement.

Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a QILDRO may specify a percentage of the member's benefit or apply a formula to determine the amount of the member's benefit to be paid to an alternate payee. Provides that, if so specified, a QILDRO shall take effect at a date other than at the time the benefit becomes payable. Provides that an alternate payee may not consent to a form of payment that has the effect of diminishing the amount of the payment to which he or she is entitled unless the written consent is notarized. Effective immediately.

Creates the Children's Mental Health Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Creates the Illinois Housing Initiative Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Creates a new Section concerning universal transit fare cards. Contains a caption only.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Requires the Regional Transportation Authority to adopt a universal fare card and establish rules concerning its implementation and use. Requires the Service Boards, upon request, to expeditiously provide to the Authority any information related to the Authority's responsibilities concerning the implementation and use of a universal fare card. Requires the Authority, by January 1, 2005, (i) to issue a request for proposal inviting potential builders to develop a plan to implement a universal fare card and (ii)to develop a cost analysis of the fare management system currently in use by the Service Boards so that the Authority, the General Assembly, and the Governor can compare the costs of conversion to a universal fare card and integrated fare management system with existing costs for each Service Board. Requires the Authority, by April 1, 2005, to compile certain information into a report and submit it to the General Assembly and to the Governor. Effective immediately.