Rep. Mary Flowers

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that in cases relating to allegations of parental or custodial unfitness based upon neglect, dependency, or abuse of the minor, the Department of Children and Family Services, or the agency responsible, must submit a report to the court documenting the services offered and provided to preserve or reunify the family, and substantiating any determination of the success or failure of such services, and the court shall determine if such evidence is clear and convincing that such services will fail.

Creates the Legislative Task Force on Drug Free Zones to conduct hearings and complete a comprehensive examination of the State's drug free zone laws to determine: (a) the effectiveness of the laws, (b) whether these laws have a disparate impact on African American communities, and (c) whether these laws should be amended to (i) more effectively deter drug activity that occurs within sight of schools and other protected locations; and (ii) lessen the impact of mandatory sentencing on urban communities. Provides that the Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on or before April 1, 2007.

Finds that State law should make a distinction between the medical and non-medical use of marijuana and establishes a committee to investigate and assess options for legal protection for seriously ill patients to use medical marijuana without facing criminal prosecution under State law.

Amends the University of Illinois Hospital Act and the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that a hospital must use a federal Food and Drug Administration-approved radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in connection with each surgery performed at the hospital. Provides that the tag must identify (i) the patient and the surgeon, (ii) the date and type of surgery, and (iii) the body part to be operated on. Requires that the tag be scanned in the hospital's operating room before the patient is sedated and that the information stored on the tag be confirmed with the patient. Requires the Department of Public Health to adopt rules to implement these provisions.

Creates the Arthritis Prevention and Control Act. Directs the Department of Public Health to establish, promote, and maintain an Arthritis Prevention and Control Program to raise public awareness, educate consumers, and educate and train health professionals, teachers, and human services providers, and for other purposes.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan must provide coverage for intravenous feeding, federally approved AIDS vaccines, prescription nutritional supplements, and physician prescribed or ordered pain medication. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State.

Amends the Employee Benefit Contribution Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the failure to make payments to an employee health insurance plan.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Re-enacts the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption. The exemption was created by Public Act 88-669, which has been held to be unconstitutional as a violation of the single subject clause of the Illinois Constitution. Includes validation provisions. Effective immediately.

Declares December 17, 2006 to be Thanksgiving Day for the Elsner family.

Congratulates Bridgeview Fire Chief Terrence Lipinski on his retirement.