Rep. Elaine Nekritz

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

Amends the Historic Preservation Agency Act. Creates the Freedom Trail Commission. Contains provisions concerning the membership and duties of the commission. Provides that the commission must prepare a master plan to promote and preserve the history of the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State; work in conjunction with State and federal authorities to sponsor commemorations, linkages, seminars, and public forums on the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State and in neighboring states; assist and promote the making of applications for inclusion in the national and State register of historic places for significant historic places related to the freedom trail and the underground railroad in the State; assist and develop partnerships to seek public and private funds to carry out activities to protect, preserve, and promote the legacy of the freedom trail and underground railroad in the State; and work with the Illinois State Board of Education to evaluate, conduct research concerning, and develop a curriculum for use in Illinois public schools regarding the underground railroad, with emphasis on the activities of the underground railroad within this State. Provides that the commission must report its activities and findings to the General Assembly by February 1, 2004. Effective immediately.

Amends the Financial Identity Theft and Asset Forfeiture Law of the Criminal Code of 1961. Changes the name of the Article to the Identity Theft Law and the names of the offenses of financial identity theft and aggravated financial identity theft to identity theft and aggravated identity theft. Includes in the offense of identity theft: (1) using any personal identification information or personal identification document of another with intent to commit any theft or felony violation of Illinois State law; (2) obtaining, recording, possessing, selling, transferring, purchasing, or manufacturing any personal identification information or personal identification document with intent to commit or to aid or abet another in committing any theft or felony violation of Illinois State law; (3) using, obtaining, recording, possessing, selling, transferring, purchasing or manufacturing any personal identification information or personal identification document of another knowing that such personal identification information or personal identification documents were stolen or produced without lawful authority; or (4) using, transferring, or possessing document-making implements to produce false identification or false documents with knowledge that they will be used by the offender or another to commit any theft or felony violation of State law. Effective immediately.

Creates the Illinois Early Learning Council Act. Establishes the Illinois Early Learning Council to coordinate existing State programs and services for children from birth to 5 years of age in order to better meet the early learning needs of children and their families. Provides for the appointment of members to the Council who represent both public and private organizations and who shall serve on a voluntary, unpaid basis.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows certain retired teachers to remain in retirement status and continue to receive their retirement annuities while engaging in employment in a designated subject shortage area. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 to provide that health insurance benefits under the State and TRIP plans are suspended while the annuitant is covered as an active teacher. Amends the School Code to require regional superintendents of schools to certify school district compliance with certain requirements of the program. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a public utility may not disconnect for nonpayment service during the period from December 1 through March 31 to a residential customer who is eligible for assistance under the Energy Assistance Act of 1989. Effective immediately.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Exempts from inspection and copying the names, addresses, or other personal information of participants and registrants in park district, forest preserve district, or conservation district programs. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in the financial identify theft Article relating to an offender's interest in the property obtained in the name of the other person.

Amends the Children's Health Insurance Program Act to extend the sunset date for the Act from July 1, 2003 to July 1, 2006. Effective immediately.

Recognizes the 50th anniversary of Glenbrook North High School.