Rep. Will Davis

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that any school bus purchased on or after January 1, 2006 to transport students to or from any school for grades K through 12 supported in whole or in part by State funds must be equipped to use biodiesel fuel. Provides that any school bus used to transport students to or from a school covered by the provision must use biodiesel fuel unless biodiesel fuel is unavailable in the vicinity of the school or unless the school bus is not equipped to use biodiesel fuel. Provides that the Secretary of Transportation shall adopt rules for implementing the new provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the Tobacco Accessories and Smoking Herbs Control Act. Includes in the definition of "tobacco accessories", cigarette lighters and matches.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a tax checkoff for the American Diabetes Foundation Research Fund. Further amends the State Finance Act to create the Fund. Amends the Department of Human Services Act to provide that the Department shall provide grants to the American Diabetes Foundation for diabetes research from appropriations to the Department from the American Diabetes Foundation Research Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Authorizes election authorities to establish special procedures for late voter registration, beginning January 1, 2005. Requires the State Board of Elections to adopt necessary rules.

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Makes a technical change in the Section concerning policing bodies furnishing fingerprints and descriptions of persons arrested to the Department of State Police and relating to the expungement of arrest records and the sealing of the records of the clerk of the circuit court.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the rate of tax on individuals and on trusts and estates from 3% to 4%. Increases the amount of the standard exemption for individuals from $2,000 to $12,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, if suit is filed (now, if an owner or tenant files suit) for violation of certain municipal ordinances and the court finds that the defendant has engaged in certain prohibited activities, the court shall allow the plaintiff to recover a reasonable sum of money for the costs of litigation, including the services of the plaintiff's attorney and expert witness fees (now, for services of the plaintiff's attorney).

Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Provides that, except for specified orders or actions, the Department may take disciplinary action by serving a notice of the violation and notice of opportunity for a hearing on the EMS licensee or entity. Provides that the Department may take disciplinary action when the Department makes specified findings. Provides that, to contest the disciplinary action, the recipient of a notice shall notify the Department in writing of its request for a hearing within 15 days after receipt of the notice. Provides that the Department may require the licensee or entity (i) to submit a plan of correction within 10 days after receipt of the notice of violation, (ii) to submit a modified plan of correction if the Department rejects the initial plan of correction, or (iii) to comply with an imposed plan of correction if a modified plan is not submitted in a timely manner or if the modified plan is rejected by the Department.

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides that all employees whose positions are included in a collective bargaining unit that includes employees subject to the Personnel Code are considered as subject to the Personnel Code for all purposes related to their collective bargaining agreement, unless the parties agree otherwise. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Election Code. Requires the State Board of Elections to adopt rules, standards, and criteria for the approval of equipment that permits a visually impaired person to vote without the assistance of another person.