Rep. Sandra M. Pihos

Creates the Nurse Licensure Compact Act. Allows for reciprocity of licensure of licensed practical nurses and registered nurses among the states. Provides for administration of the Compact by the Nursing Act Coordinator. Provides that the licensing board shall participate in a Compact Evaluation Initiative designed to evaluate the effectiveness and operability of the Compact. Provides that the Compact does not relieve employers from complying with statutorily imposed obligations. Provides that the Compact does not supersede existing State labor laws. Amends the Nurse Practice Act to make changes relating to the purposes of the Compact. Effective January 1, 2009.

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law. Requires the Department of Central Management Services, in cooperation with the Department of Human Services, to develop and implement plans to increase the number of individuals with a disability employed by State government. Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in cooperation with the Department of Human Services, to develop and implement a public awareness campaign designed to increase statewide awareness of issues that affect individuals with a disability. Sets forth requirements for the public awareness campaign. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish procedures and adopt rules for the certification of employees and individuals with a disability with respect to certain tax credits set forth under the Illinois Income Tax Act. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Requires that each notice of a contract contain a statement to encourage prospective vendors to hire individuals with a disability. Provides that a chief procurement officer may encourage prospective vendors to consider hiring individuals with a disability. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a tax credit for taxpayers who, during the taxable year, pay wages to an employee with a disability. Creates a tax credit for taxpayers who, during the taxable year, hire a net new qualified employee with a disability. Creates a tax credit for taxpayers who are qualified individuals with a disability. Sets forth the amounts and requirements for these credits. Effective immediately.

In addition to any other amounts that may appropriated for this purpose, appropriates the sum of $1,250,000, or so much of that amount as may be necessary, from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for costs associated with suicide prevention programs and activities. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, in a city of 5,000 or fewer inhabitants, the city clerk may be appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the city council (now, the clerk is elected). Provides that, if the city clerk is appointed rather than elected, the clerk may later be elected but only after approval by referendum.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning State goals and assessment.

Congratulates the residents of the City of Wheaton on the occasion of the city's sesquicentennial anniversary.

Honors Keith Schoen of Glen Ellyn for his many years of dedicated volunteer service.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In connection with the medical assistance program, provides that on and after July 1, 2008, the minimum inpatient per diem rate to be paid to a hospital for psychiatric services shall be no less than the highest per diem base rate established by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for any hospital that newly qualifies to deliver psychiatric inpatient services on or after December 31, 2006. Effective immediately.

Amends the Shaken Baby Prevention Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Provides that coverage under the Plan shall automatically terminate as of the effective date of any medical assistance, except in cases where the effective date of the medical assistance is the date that the application for medical assistance was submitted to the Department of Human Services and that date is different than the date that the applicant is determined to be eligible for medical assistance. Provides that in that circumstance, coverage under the plan shall terminate on the date that the applicant was determined to be eligible for medical assistance. Effective immediately.