Rep. Lee A. Daniels

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Creates the Community Developmental Disability Services Medicaid Trust Fund consisting of funds paid to the State by the federal government under Title XIX or Title XXI of the Social Security Act for services delivered by community developmental disability services providers. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall reimburse community developmental disability services providers out of the Fund for Medicaid-reimbursed developmental disability services provided to eligible individuals. Repeals the Community Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Services Provider Participation Fee Trust Fund.

Amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning an application and the amount of services to be provided.

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for the Home Based Support Services Program. Effective July 1, 2003.

Creates the Illinois Disabilities Services Advisory Committee Act. Provides that the committee shall be composed of at least 20 members appointed by the Governor. Provides that the committee shall (i) serve in an advisory capacity to State agencies charged with implementation of the Disabilities Services Plan, (ii) provide ongoing oversight of progress to the Governor and the General Assembly and periodic reports to relevant State agencies, (iii) work in collaboration with State agencies to develop and facilitate a model of individual choice, (iv) identify opportunities for change through technology, (v) assist in analyzing the impact on service delivery of private sector and market forces and changing demographics, and (vi) examine ways to have funding for services follow the consumer's choice for services. Effective immediately.

Amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Home-Based Support Services Law for Mentally Disabled Adults.

Amends the Department of Labor Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Department of Labor.

Appropriates $2 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for an increase in funding for the Prevention of Unnecessary Institutionalization Grant and Loan Program. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, if a property has been granted a Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, then the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption. Increases the ceiling for household income eligibility for the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption provisions, for taxable years 2003 and thereafter, from $40,000 per year to $45,000 per year. Creates a general homestead exemption provision that applies only to counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and counties contiguous to counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants. Provides that the amount of the exemption is the equalized assessed value of the homestead property for the current tax year minus, in most cases, the property's base homestead value increased by 7% for each tax year after 2002 through and including the current tax year. Establishes procedures for determining the base homestead value of property improved after the 2002 tax year. Sunsets the provisions after the 2010 assessment year. Amends the Economic Development Area Tax Increment Allocation Act, the County Economic Development Project Area Property Tax Allocation Act, the County Economic Development Project Area Tax Increment Allocation Act of 1991, the Economic Development Project Area Tax Increment Allocation Act of 1995, the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act and the Industrial Jobs Recovery Law in the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, and the Criminal Code of 1961 to include a cross reference to the new general homestead exemption provision in the Property Tax Code. In provisions that authorize a partial exemption from property taxes for homestead properties that have been improved and residential structures on homestead property that have been rebuilt following a catastrophic event, changes the limit to $75,000 per year for that homestead property beginning January 1, 2004 and thereafter (now, $45,000 per year). Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement for the new general homestead exemption and the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Creates the Professional Teacher Standards Board consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor to administer the Article of the School Code governing the certification of teachers and other certificated school personnel and the approval of teacher and administrator preparation programs. Gives the Professional Teacher Standards Board all powers and duties currently exercised by the State Board of Education and the State Teacher Certification Board with respect to administration of the certification and program approval process, and abolishes the State Teacher Certification Board. Authorizes the Professional Teacher Standards Board to employ an Executive Director and such other staff members as are necessary to exercise its powers and duties and carry out its functions. Provides that a Standard Certificate may be renewed based on proof of professional development (instead of on proof of continuing education or professional development). Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that no transfers may be made, in order to help defray the State's operating costs for the fiscal year, from the Road Fund or the State Construction Account Fund on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Effective July 1, 2004.