Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Beginning on January 1, 2004, exempts from the taxes imposed by these Act, American flags, poles intended to serve as flagstaffs for American flags, and American flag sets or kits. Provides that the exemption is not subject to the sunset requirements of the Acts. Effective January 1, 2004.
Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that every child placed under the Act shall be evaluated for the purpose of mental illness diagnosis. Provides that every child with a diagnosis of mental illness shall receive the necessary mental health services. Provides that no later than January 1, 2005, the Department of Children and Family Services shall file a proposal addressing the implementation of mental health services. Provides that the Department shall provide or arrange for the training of staff responsible for the oversight of childcare agencies or facilities. Requires that the child be placed in or near the community in which the child resided prior to the placement or in the community in which the child's family or nearest next of kin presently reside. Provides that prior to any placement, a determination shall be made as to the capability and suitability of the program, facility, or home to adequately meet the needs of the child being placed and to ensure that an appropriate training plan for staff is provided. Provides that all children must be visited by trained personnel at least once during the first month following placement and once every month thereafter. Provides that upon a complaint or a discovery of abuse, neglect, improper care, or inadequate care, the Department shall immediately investigate and remove the child. Provides for the independent expert evaluation of every child with a primary or secondary diagnosis of mental illness residing in every program, facility, or home licensed under the Child Care Act or receiving State funds for certain services. Provides that the Department shall prepare an assessment of each mental health community service network and complete all required individual and network assessments by January 1, 2006. Effective immediately.
Creates the Women's Access to Education and Training Act. Creates the Task Force on Women's Access to Education and Training to address efforts on developing and expanding women's access to participation in education and training opportunities and to identify the State-specific barriers that prevent more women from continuing their education and entering the workforce at a variety of levels. Requires the Task Force to annually report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly.
Amends the Illinois Economic Opportunity Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the State Finance Act. Provides for issuance of K-12 Education license plates, at an additional initial charge of $40 and an additional renewal charge of $27. Provides that $15 of the additional initial charge and $2 of the renewal charge shall go to the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that $25 of the initial and renewal charges shall be deposited into the K-12 Education Fund. Creates the K-12 Education Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury. Provides that all moneys in the K-12 Education Fund shall, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and approval by the Secretary of State, be paid as grants to the individual school districts designated by each applicant.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person who drives around lowered railroad crossing gates shall be fined $500 and shall have his or her driving privileges suspended for 3 months. Provides that a second violation shall result in a $1,000 fine and a 6 month suspension. Provides that a third or subsequent violation shall result in a $1,000 fine and a one year suspension. Provides that 75% of the moneys collected from fines imposed for these violations shall be deposited in the Grade Crossing Protection Fund and used for signs at grade crossings informing motorists of the penalties for these violations. Effective immediately.
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to notify units of local government of any health threat posed by pressure-treated wood used in playground equipment and requires the Agency to recommend procedures to those units of local government for notifying the public about the health threat.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 and the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a defendant who commits any of certain specified offenses against a family or household member in the presence of any child under 16 years of age (rather than a child who is the defendant's or victim's child or a step child or who is a minor child residing within the household of the defendant or victim) is liable for the cost of counseling required for the child at the discretion of the court and must serve a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of 10 days or perform 300 hours of community service, or both.
Amends the Economic Development Area Tax Increment Allocation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
