Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Circuit Courts Act, the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, and other Acts. Provides that the chief judge of each circuit shall establish a separate family division for the circuit for the purpose of hearing all family cases. Provides that the chief judge shall designate an appropriate number of circuit judges or associate judges, or both, to serve in the family division. Provides that "family case" means an action in which the court exercises its jurisdiction under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code (concerning the enforcement of child support obligations), Article II, III, or IV of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 (concerning abused, neglected, or dependent minors, minors requiring authoritative intervention, and addicted minors), the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, and other designated Acts. Provides for a right to trial by jury in family cases. (Under current law, trial by jury is expressly prohibited under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, and the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986.) Provides that the court may order parties to a family case to undergo counseling as the court deems appropriate, based on the evidence.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act. Requires a comprehensive health education program to include instruction in secondary schools on clinical depression and suicide prevention. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.
Creates the Parental Rights Termination Investigation Agency Act and amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Creates the Parental Rights Termination Investigation Agency in the Executive Branch of State Government, to investigate the circumstances of terminations of parental rights if certain criteria are met, including that a person's parental rights were allegedly terminated for a reason or reasons due in substantial part to the person's financial difficulties. Provides that the Agency is entitled to access to records generated under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and to juvenile court records. Authorizes a person whose parental rights have been terminated under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 to petition for restoration of those rights, based on the Agency's investigation.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Requires companies writing Medicare supplement policies to make available to persons eligible for the federal Medicare program by reason of disability each type of Medicare supplement insurance policy that an issuer makes available to persons eligible for the federal Medicare program by reason of age. Provides that the issuer shall not charge persons eligible for the federal Medicare program by reason of disability premium rates for any medical supplement insurance benefit plan that exceed the issuer's premium rates charged to individuals eligible for the federal Medicare program by reason of age. Provides guaranteed issue rights to those individuals eligible for a Medicare supplement policy during the 6-month period beginning with the first day of the month in which the applicant enrolls for benefits under Medicare Part B.
Creates the HIV/AIDS Prevention Program for Department of Corrections Offenders, Significant Others, and Family Act. Provides that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Health shall jointly develop and implement an HIV/AIDS prevention education program targeted to offenders incarcerated in Department of Corrections facilities, significant others, and family of adult and juvenile prison inmates. Provides that the Illinois Department of Corrections shall: (1) provide, in all public waiting rooms of detention facilities and prisons, printed information on the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted diseases and referral information to community-based-providers of HIV/AIDS prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, and HIV/AIDS counseling and testing services throughout Illinois; (2) display in all public waiting rooms of detention facilities and prisons an HIV/AIDS informational video, produced by a national organization with expertise in HIV/AIDS prevention; (3) provide written information on the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted diseases to all inmates upon entrance to a detention center or prison and offer voluntary HIV/AIDS testing to all inmates; and (4) provide written information on the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted diseases to all inmates just prior to their release from custody and referral to appropriate community based organizations that provide HIV/AIDS services and HIV/AIDS counseling and testing. Provides that one year after implementation of this Act, the Illinois Department of Corrections shall report to the Illinois General Assembly on the effectiveness of this program in increasing voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Creates the Professional Teacher Standards Board consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor to administer the Article of the School Code governing the certification of teachers and other certificated school personnel and the approval of teacher and administrator preparation programs. Gives the Professional Teacher Standards Board all powers and duties currently exercised by the State Board of Education and the State Teacher Certification Board with respect to administration of the certification and program approval process, and abolishes the State Teacher Certification Board. Authorizes the Professional Teacher Standards Board to employ an Executive Director and such other staff members as are necessary to exercise its powers and duties and carry out its functions. Provides that a Standard Certificate may be renewed based on proof of professional development (instead of on proof of continuing education or professional development). Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2003.
Amends the School Code. Creates a Section relating to the study of childhood obesity. Contains only a caption.
Creates the HIV/AIDS Prevention Program for Department of Corrections Offenders, Significant Others, and Family Act. Provides that the Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Health shall jointly develop and implement an HIV/AIDS prevention education program targeted to offenders incarcerated in Department of Corrections facilities, significant others, and family of adult and juvenile prison inmates. Provides that the Illinois Department of Corrections shall: (1) provide, in all public waiting rooms of detention facilities and prisons, printed information on the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted diseases and referral information to community-based-providers of HIV/AIDS prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, and HIV/AIDS counseling and testing services throughout Illinois; (2) display in all public waiting rooms of detention facilities and prisons an HIV/AIDS informational video, produced by a national organization with expertise in HIV/AIDS prevention; (3) provide written information on the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted diseases to all inmates upon entrance to a detention center or prison and offer voluntary HIV/AIDS testing to all inmates; and (4) provide written information on the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted diseases to all inmates just prior to their release from custody and referral to appropriate community based organizations that provide HIV/AIDS services and HIV/AIDS counseling and testing. Provides that one year after implementation of this Act, the Illinois Department of Corrections shall report to the Illinois General Assembly on the effectiveness of this program in increasing voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. Effective immediately.
Requests DaimlerChrysler Corporation and Chrysler Financial Corporation to halt all patterns and practices of racial discrimination, including discriminatory lending practices.
Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that the parent or guardian of the estate of any child accepted for care and training, without the parent's or guardian's consent, under the Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 shall not be liable for the payment to the Department or to any child care facility of any charges for the care and training of that child.