Rep. Charles G. Morrow, III

Amends the Property Tax Code. Includes disabled persons within the provisions granting an assessment freeze homestead exemption to senior citizens. Changes the name to the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (now Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption). Makes corresponding changes to a cross-reference to the exemption. Amends the States Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Includes in the offense of unauthorized videotaping, electronically recording or electronically surveilling another person without that person's consent in a private place. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to place or cause to be placed an electronic video surveillance device in a restroom, tanning bed, tanning salon, locker room, changing room, hotel bedroom, or any other private place, with the intent to electronically record, electronically surveil, videotape, photograph, or film another person without that person's consent. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to place or cause to be placed an electronic video surveillance device in another person's residence without that person's consent, with the intent to secretly electronically record, electronically surveil, videotape, photograph, or film another person without that person's consent. Increases the penalties for the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony and if the images are disseminated from a Class 4 felony to a Class 3 felony. Provides that if the person electronically recorded, electronically surveilled, videotaped, photographed, or filmed is under 18 years of age, the penalty is a Class 2 felony. Effective January 1, 2005.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Creates the Highway Projects Review Board. Provides that the board shall be composed of 12 members of the General Assembly, with 3 members appointed by each of the 4 legislative leaders. Provides that the members shall serve for their terms of office, except that no appointment shall last longer than 3 years. Provides that the board shall monitor and evaluate the implementation of State highway improvement plans and report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly regarding the progress of major road construction in the State.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that beginning on January 1, 2004 the Illinois Department of Transportation shall conduct a pilot project to provide direct payments by the State to subcontractors for construction work upon satisfactory completion of any subcontractor's portion of the contract. Provides that, upon successful completion of the pilot project, the Department shall implement the program for all construction projects. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act and the Energy Assistance Act of 1989 to create the Percentage of Income Payment Plan. Provides for the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs to establish a percentage of income payment plan for utility service to operate in conjunction with the energy assistance program. Provides that eligible households shall be required to pay not more than 6% of the residents' annual income for gas and electric service. Requires the Commerce Commission to establish a universal service surcharge to be imposed upon gas and electric service provided to consumers in Illinois. Provides for the moneys received under the surcharge to be deposited into the Universal Service Surcharge Fund, a special fund in the State Treasury. Provides for moneys in the fund to be used, subject to appropriation, to pay a provider of gas or electricity the amount by which the cost of gas or electricity provided to consumers participating in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan exceeded the amount paid by those participants to the provider for that gas or electricity. Amends the State Finance Act to add the Universal Service Surcharge Fund to the list of special funds.

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Emergency Management Agency is created as a Department of State government. Deletes provisions concerning the Department of Nuclear Safety.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that beginning on January 1, 2004 the Illinois Department of Transportation shall conduct a pilot project to provide direct payments by the State to subcontractors for construction work upon satisfactory completion of any subcontractor's portion of the contract. Provides that, upon successful completion of the pilot project, the Department shall implement the program for all construction projects. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Farm Development Act. Provides that to be eligible for certain State guarantees, a farmer must be a principal operator of a farm or land, at least 30% (instead of 50%) of whose annual income is derived from farming and whose debt to asset ratio shall not exceed the maximum limit established by the Illinois Farm Development Authority (instead of "shall not be less than 40%"). Provides that State guarantees under certain programs shall not exceed $1,000,000 (instead of $500,000). Provides that the collateral acceptable to the Authority must be at least equal to the gross loan amount (instead of "at least equal to the State's portion of the Guarantee to be provided"). Deletes a provision that to be eligible for State guarantees, a farmer's net worth may not exceed $500,000. Deletes a provision stating that a lender may not withdraw a State guarantee if the loan contract provides for an interest rate that may vary. Changes the name of the "Young Farmer Loan Guarantee Program" to the "Illinois Farmer Loan Guarantee Program". Makes other changes.

Creates the Public Works Subcontractor Responsibility Act. Provides that the Act applies to subcontracts for public works contracts entered into by the State, by a unit of local government, or by a school district. Provides that any subcontract for a public works contract shall include a provision setting forth the percentage of female and minority workers that the subcontractor plans to employ to perform work on the public works project. Provides that if any subcontractor fails to employ the percentage of females and minorities on a public works project as set forth in the subcontract, then the subcontractor must pay a penalty in the amount of the price of the subcontract multiplied by the percentage of females and minorities that the subcontractor planned to employ. Provides that the penalty shall be paid to the governmental entity that entered into the contract for the public works project. Provides that the contractor is not liable for any violation of this Act. Preempts home rule powers.

Creates the Childhood Hunger Relief Act and amends the School Breakfast and Lunch Program Act. Requires the board of education for certain school districts to utilize available federal funding to establish a school breakfast program and a summer food service program. Provides that applications for participation in the school food programs shall be filed with the State Board of Education and information about the child's status shall be provided by the Department of Human Services upon written request. Makes changes concerning the breakfast incentive program. Effective immediately.