Rep. Constance A. Howard

Creates the Good Samaritan Energy Plan Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. Provides that terminals must be designed and programmed so that the entry of a consumer's personal identification in reverse order causes an alarm to be sent to the local law enforcement agency.

Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois; also amends the Illinois Police Training Act, the State Mandates Act, and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Requires the Department of State Police to provide training to State Police officers concerning sensitivity toward racial and ethnic differences. Requires the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to provide for similar training for probationary police officers. Provides for a 4-year traffic stop statistical study based on information that must be recorded on the face of a uniform traffic citation, warning citation, or uniform stop card by State and local law enforcement officers. Provides that no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code relating to coverage for subjects of abuse. Extends the restrictions on denying coverage for subjects of abuse to property and casualty insurers.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Public Health to conduct an information campaign for members of the general public and for medical professionals as part of a statewide response plan to a national public health threat. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Repeals provisions concerning the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program. Provides instead that the State Board of Education shall make reading improvement grants to school districts in order to improve the reading and study skills of students in kindergarten through twelfth grade (from a separate appropriation made for these purposes). Provides that the State Board may use up to 2% of the appropriation for the purpose of providing teacher training and retraining. Provides that of the remaining funds (i) up to the first $5,000,000 in new funds in the 2003-2004 school year shall be distributed to districts serving grades 7 through 12 and (ii) the remainder of the appropriation shall be distributed to districts serving kindergarten through grade 6. Includes provisions concerning application requirements, reporting assessment results, eligibility in the third or subsequent years, requirements for the use of grants, and reporting results to the General Assembly. Effective July 1, 2003.

Congratulates radio station WVON in Chicago on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.

Congratulates radio station WVON in Chicago on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.

Congratulates Cecilia D. Peeler on her retirement from her position as Executive Assistant to the Cook County State's Attorney and as Director of Community Affairs.

Congratulates Dennis Flanagin on being elected Chairman of the Board for the Illinois Association of Park Districts in 2003.