Rep. Kevin A. McCarthy

Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that, to encourage continued service with the district, the board of trustees of a fire protection district has the express power to award monetary incentives, not to exceed $240 per year, to volunteer firefighters of the district. Provides that to be eligible for the incentives, the volunteer firefighters must have at least 5 years of service with the district. Provides that the amount of the incentives may not be greater than 2% of the annual levy amount when all incentive awards are combined.

Amends the Home Repair Fraud Act. In provisions relating to a victim who is 60 years of age or older or a disabled person, increases criminal penalties and lowers the monetary thresholds for enhanced penalties. In addition, provides that the offender's licenses and permits may be suspended or revoked.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Removes language that terminates the earned income tax credit with taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2002. Exempts the credit from the sunset requirements. Effective immediately.

Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. Provides that beginning on January 1, 2004, the pharmaceutical assistance program covers prescription drugs used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that, on March 31, 2003 or as soon as practicable thereafter, the amount of $300,000 shall be transferred from the Statistical Services Revolving Fund to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund. Provides that, beginning on July 1, 2004, on the last day of each month, an amount equal to 50% of that day's beginning balance in the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund shall be transferred from the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund to the Statistical Services Revolving Fund. Provides that these transfers shall continue until the cumulative total of transfers executed from the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund to the Statistical Services Revolving Fund equals $300,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that one of the 10 members of the Board of Higher Education that is appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, must be a faculty member at a public university.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that when the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense and the accused was a member of the clergy, a prosecution for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse may be commenced at any time. Effective immediately.

Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Deletes a provision requiring referendum approval of a district's annexation of surrounded unincorporated territory under 60 acres.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the current address of a recipient who was a victim of a felony or a witness to a felony shall be made available upon request to a State's Attorney or a State's Attorney's investigator. Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that the Department of Employment Security shall make available to a State's Attorney or a State's Attorney's investigator, upon request, the current address or, if the current address is unavailable, current employer information, if available, of a victim of a felony or a witness to a felony or a person against whom an arrest warrant is outstanding. Effective January 1, 2004.

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Raises the minimum amount support percentage of the supporting party's net income to 28% for 2 children (from 25%). Effective immediately.