Rep. Constance A. Howard

Mourns the death of Lela Virginia Wilson of Chicago.

Mourns the death of Jeune Jackson-Thompson.

Congratulates Cretora H. Barnett on the occasion of her retirement from DCFS after 29 years in the department.

Mourns the death of Frank Melvin Grego.

Congratulates Mabel (Stevenson) Robinson of Chicago on the occasion of her 80th birthday.

Expresses appreciation and support for Petty Officer Alonzo Baker, who returned from duty in Iraq to find himself displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Creates the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Act. Requires that each of the following designate an African-American HIV/AIDS Response Officer, responsible for coordinating efforts to address the African-American AIDS crisis within his or her respective Office or Department and serving as a liaison to governmental and non-governmental entities: the Office of the Governor; the Department of Human Services; the Department of Public Health; and the Department of Corrections. Provides that a State agency that operates a facility that (i) is accessible to the public, (ii) is a high-traffic facility, and (iii) serves a high-risk community must provide the following in each such facility where space and security reasonably permit: space for free HIV counseling and antibody testing. Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois; provides that on its official Web site, the Department shall provide Web-friendly and printer-friendly versions of educational materials in connection with HIV and AIDS, targeted to persons presently or previously committed to the Department of Corrections or confined in a county jail, as well as family members and friends of such persons. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code; provides that certain prohibitions against eligibility for cash assistance under the Code for persons convicted of certain drug offenses do not apply to an individual who has tested positive for HIV; requires the Department of Public Aid to seek federal approval to expand access to health care under the Medicaid program for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections; requires the Department of Corrections to provide committed persons, their family members, and visitors with certain materials and services in connection with HIV/AIDS, including testing, counseling, and medical care. Amends the County Jail Act, and imposes similar requirements on sheriffs and wardens of county jails. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2006.

Amends the General Assembly Organization Act and the Legislative Commission Reorganization Act of 1984. Requires an electronic copy of all reports filed with the General Assembly to be provided to the Legislative Research Unit. Requires the Unit to post reports on the General Assembly's website.

Amends the School Code. With regard to funds appropriated from the Driver Education Fund to the State Board of Education for reimbursement to school districts for providing driver education, provides that (i) as soon as may be after each quarter of the year, the State Comptroller shall draw his or her warrants upon the State Treasurer as directed by the State Board of Education, (ii) the warrant for each quarter shall be in an amount equal to one-fourth of the total amount to be distributed to school districts for the year, and (iii) payments shall be made to school districts as soon as may be after receipt of the warrants. Effective immediately.

Creates the Home Care Consumer and Worker Protection Act. If an agency places a home care worker with a consumer to provide home care services, requires the agency to give the worker and the consumer a notice setting forth the rights and responsibilities of each of them as well as appropriate phone numbers and addresses of the Department on Aging. Provides that the Act does not apply to nursing homes, home health agencies, and certain other agencies. Provides that an agency subject to the Act must comply with the Health Care Worker Background Check Act and must ensure that every home care worker placed by the agency for hire by a consumer has the appropriate credentials and is appropriately licensed or certified as required by law. Authorizes the Department on Aging to investigate complaints of violations of the Act, issue cease-and-desist orders, and seek injunctive relief. Provides for a civil penalty of $1,000 per day for each day that a violation continues. Effective January 1, 2006.