Rep. Monique D. Davis

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to implement and administer a student achievement improvement grant program to provide 2-year grants to school districts on the academic watch list and other school districts that have the lowest achieving students. Requires a school district to establish an accountability program in order to receive a grant. Requires a grant to be automatically renewed when achievement goals are met. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. In the State aid formula provisions, provides that calculation of Available Local Resources shall exclude tax amnesty funds received as a result of Public Act 93-26. 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 Illinois Consortium for Educational Opportunity Act. Changes the short title to the Diversifying Faculty in Illinois Program Act. Makes changes concerning the definition of "institution of higher education", the Program Board, assistance to graduates, subcommittees, reporting, grants, and other matters. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Illinois Motor Carrier Safety Law in the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides a vehicle that is used (as well as one that is designed) to transport more than 15 persons is a commercial vehicle. Provides that a vehicle used or designed to transport between 9 and 15 persons for direct compensation is a commercial vehicle, if the vehicle is being operated beyond a radius of 75 air miles from the driver's normal work reporting location. Effective immediately.

Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Provides for relinquishment of a newborn infant to a police station (in addition to a hospital, fire station, or emergency medical facility). Provides that "police station" means a municipal police station or a county sheriff's office. Provides that a police station to which a newborn infant is relinquished must arrange for the transportation of the infant to the nearest hospital as soon as transportation can be arranged. Effective immediately.

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

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title of the Code.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that on or before February 1, 2005 and on or before February 1 of each year thereafter, the Department of State Police shall report to the Governor and both houses of the General Assembly the following information: (1) the extent of the backlog of cases awaiting testing or awaiting DNA analysis by that Department; and (2) what measures have been and are being taken to reduce that backlog and the estimated costs or expenditures in doing so. Provides that this information reported shall be made available to the public, at the time it is reported, on the official web site of the Department of State Police. Effective immediately.

Congratulates Sylvia P. Cato and Albert Cato on their retirement and their achievements.