Rep. Cynthia Soto

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall establish a telephone hotline to provide translations of medical terminology for residents of this State who are immigrants. Provides that the Department shall determine the languages for which the hotline shall be available and shall determine the hotline's hours of operation.

Amends the School Code. With respect to reimbursement to school districts for certain costs relating to children from orphanages, foster family homes, children's homes, and State housing units, removes provisions added by Public Act 92-597 that provide that total reimbursement is limited to the amount appropriated for that purpose for the fiscal year and any insufficiency shall be apportioned pro rata among the school districts seeking reimbursement. Provides instead that if the amount appropriated for any fiscal year is less than the amount required, the amount required to eliminate any insufficient reimbursement for each district claim shall be reimbursed on August 30 of the next fiscal year, and payments required to eliminate any insufficiency for prior fiscal year claims shall be made before any claims are paid for the current fiscal year. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Commission on the 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education.

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Toll Highway Authority has the power to enter into a contract with a unit of local government or other public or private entity under which the Authority agrees to collect by electronic means tolls, fees, or revenues on behalf of that entity. Effective July 1, 2003.

Creates the Hospital Report Card Act. Provides requirements for staffing levels. Requires hospitals to prepare a quarterly report detailing specified information as a condition of licensure. Requires the Department of Public Health to submit a report summarizing the quarterly reports by region to the General Assembly and publish that report on its website. Provides protection for whistleblowers. Provides a private right of action to whistleblowers against their employers. Provides penalties for violations of the Act. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that violations of the Hospital Report Card Act are grounds for discipline under the Act.

Amends the Cigarette Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

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 Vehicle Code. Provides that, before ownership of a police vehicle is transferred to any person or entity other than a law enforcement agency, any marking identifying the vehicle as a police vehicle must be removed completely.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Authorizes the Department to establish a Hispanic/Latino Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Intervention Initiative program. As a part of the program, authorizes the Department to award a grant to a qualified entity for the purpose of conducting research, education, and prevention activities to reduce pregnancy among Hispanic teenagers. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides for Medicaid coverage of family planning services for persons whose income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Exempts from an eavesdropping violation, electronic recordings made of a custodial interrogation of an individual by a law enforcement officer at a police station or other place of detention in investigations for homicide and certain sex offenses. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 and the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that statements made by a suspect at a custodial interrogation at a police station or other place of detention in investigations for homicide and certain sex offenses are presumed inadmissible unless electronically recorded. Provides that the presumption may be overcome by a preponderance of the evidence that the statements were voluntary and reliable based upon the totality of the circumstances. Provides exceptions. Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board must conduct a training program for police officers on the methods and technical aspects of electronic recording of interrogations. Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, from appropriations made to it for that purpose, shall make grants to local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of purchasing equipment for electronic recording of interrogations. Amends the State Mandates Act. Exempts provisions of the bill from the reimbursement requirements of the State Mandates Act. Some provisions take effect immediately.