Rep. Lovana Jones

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department to establish the Illinois Transit Ridership and Economic Development Pilot Project Program. Under the Program, requires the Department, beginning in fiscal year 2004, to fund a maximum of 8 pilot projects to increase Illinois transit service and facilities. Effective immediately.

Amends the Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Act and the Excellence in Academic Medicine Act. Provides that Alzheimer's disease and related disorders affect an estimated 4,500,000 (rather than 1,500,000) Americans and approximately 200,000 (rather than 111,000) Illinois citizens. Provides that the Alzheimer's Disease Advisory Committee shall review and evaluate State programs and services provided by State agencies that are directed toward persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and recommend changes to improve the State's response to this health problem. Provides that payments to hospitals affiliated with each Regional Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Center shall be effected through the Illinois Department of Public Aid under the Excellence in Academic Medicine Act. Creates the Alzheimer's Disease Center Fund (and amends the State Finance Act to include the fund as a special fund in the State treasury). Creates an Alzheimer's Disease Center Program to provide financial incentives to the Regional Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Centers established under the Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Act.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that a minor who is eligible to have his or her juvenile records expunged shall at the time of sentencing or dismissal of the case be informed by the judge of his or her right to expungement and shall be provided an expungement information packet by the clerk of the circuit court. Provides that if an objection to expungement is filed within 90 days of the notice of expungement, a hearing shall be set on the objections. Provides that the State Appellate Defender shall, by December 31, 2004, establish, maintain, and carry out a juvenile expungement program to provide information to minors eligible to have their records expunged. Provides that the State Appellate Defender shall establish and maintain a statewide toll-free telephone number that a person may use to receive information or assistance concerning the expungement of juvenile records. Provides that except with respect to law enforcement agencies, the Department of Corrections, State's Attorneys, or other prosecutors, an expunged juvenile record may not be considered by any private or public entity in employment matters, certification, licensing, revocation of certification or licensure, or registration. Provides that applications for employment must contain specific language that states that the applicant is not obligated to disclose expunged juvenile records of conviction or arrest. Provides that employers may not ask if an applicant has had a juvenile record expunged. Provides that effective January 1, 2005, the Department of Employment Security shall develop a program to inform employers that employers may not ask if an applicant had a juvenile record expunged and that application for employment must contain specific language that states that the applicant is not obligated to disclose expunged juvenile records of arrest or conviction. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that regional long term care ombudsman programs may use trained volunteers to make routine visits to facilities licensed or certified under the Nursing Home Care Act, the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, and the Social Security Act or to any other facility for which long term care ombudsmen are obligated to visit either by federal or State law. Sets forth requirements for the volunteers. Amends the Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Includes a trained-volunteer program operated by a regional long term care ombudsman program within the definition of "health care employer". Effective immediately.

Amends the Nursing Education Scholarship Law. Authorizes scholarships for registered nurses pursuing graduate degrees in nursing and to students in areas identified as designated shortage areas. Provides that 20% of scholarships shall be for recipients pursuing graduate degrees and reduces percentages for other recipients. Removes provisions concerning scholarships for pursuing a hospital-based diploma in nursing.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning alternative public schools.

Amends the School Code. Creates a K-3 class size reduction grant program to be implemented and administered by the State Board of Education. Provides that only those schools that are on the early academic warning list or academic watch list and that maintain grades K-3 are grant eligible. Limits use of the grant funds to operating and maintaining classes in grades K-3 with a class size of no more than 20 pupils. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the State aid formula.

Amends the Office of Banks and Real Estate Act. Requires the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate to work in cooperation with the Director of Aging to ensure that all financial institutions regulated by the Office of Banks and Real Estate participate fully in the Department on Aging's financial exploitation of the elderly intervention program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a person or entity may not print an individual's social security number on an insurance card that is used to establish the eligibility of an individual or his or her dependents to receive health, dental, optical, or accident insurance benefits, prescription drug benefits, or benefits under a managed care plan or a plan provided by a health maintenance organization, a health services plan corporation, or a similar entity. Provides that existing insurance cards with an individual's social security number must be replaced with insurance cards without the individual's social security number. Provides that a violation constitutes an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act. Effective January 1, 2005.