Rep. Sidney H. Mathias

Amends the Counties Code. Requires the county board of Cook County to appoint an independent county personnel director. Provides that, through December 31, 2011, the independent personnel director shall appoint all officers and employees of Cook County and shall assume the duties of the county civil service commission. Requires the civil service commission to perform duties and functions as directed by the independent personnel director and to otherwise operate in an advisory capacity to the director. Effective immediately.

Urges the Governor to reconsider the catastrophic increases to the fees, deductibles, and co-payments for basic medical services provided in the Fiscal Year 2009 Teachers' Retirement Insurance Program benefit package and that $13 million be included in the Fiscal Year 2009 budget to sustain basic, affordable health benefits for teachers upon retirement and to prevent escalating out-of-pocket costs for retirees.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Defines "health care practitioner" and changes all existing references to "physician" to "health care practitioner" in provisions regarding the examination of a patient's health records. Provides that records of a health care facility or health care practitioner shall be made available for examination or copying to the patient's health care practitioner or authorized attorney, any person, entity, or organization presenting a valid authorization for the release of records signed by the patient or the patient's legally authorized representative. Provides that a reasonable copying fee may be charged for record requests from patients, health care practitioners, attorneys, employers or insurers for worker's compensation purposes, and subpoenas. Repeals provisions concerning records of health care practitioners (these provisions are added to other existing provisions). In provisions concerning copying fees, removes references to provisions that are repealed.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that none of the amount received by an individual as primary social security old age and disability retirement benefits shall constitute disqualifying income.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act and the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that an animal control officer or a humane society investigator with reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a child is being abused or neglected or is in danger of being abused or neglected must immediately make a written or oral report to the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that any person required to report suspected child abuse or neglect under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act must also immediately report suspected animal abuse or neglect or danger of animal abuse or neglect to the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Welfare. Preempts the exercise of home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that none of the amount received by an individual as primary social security old age and disability retirement benefits shall constitute disqualifying income.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for individual taxpayers who are 62 years of age or older in an amount equal to the amount the individual pays for Medicare Part B benefits during the taxable year. Provides that the deduction is available in taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2008. Exempts the deduction from the sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to reimburse school districts for interest not earned on general State aid allocations beginning in August 2007 due to the delay in implementing the Fiscal Year 2008 State budget. Provides for certification of the amount and a report to the General Assembly. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that a person who petitions the circuit court for the issuance of an order directing the Department of State Police to issue a Firearm Owner's Identification Card because the Department has denied his or her application, failed to act upon the person's request for issuance of the Card, or has revoked his or her Card because of a criminal conviction, must serve the State's Attorney of the county in which the petition is brought and the State's Attorney of the county in which the conviction occurred (rather than the relevant State's Attorney) with a copy of the petition. Provides that the State's Attorney of the county where the petition is brought may object to the petition and present evidence at the hearing on the petition.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after July 1, 2007, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse providers of home health services under the Medicaid program using a phased-in rate increase as follows: (1) for services provided from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, the rate shall be $70 per visit; and (2) for services provided on or after July 1, 2008, the rate shall be $80 per visit. Provides that these rate increases apply to skilled nursing visits, physical therapy visits, occupational therapy visits, and speech therapy visits. Provides that the rate for home health aide visits shall be $61.34 for all such services provided on or after July 1, 2007. Effective immediately.