Rep. Karen May

Amends the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act. Makes changes in the definitions of "low-income housing" and "moderate-income housing". Changes dates in provisions concerning the Illinois Housing Development Authority's determination of exempt local governments, affordable housing plans, and appeals to the State Housing Appeals Board. Effective immediately.

Recognizes Alice Phillips for lending her cooking talents to benefit the Conference of Women Legislator's scholarship fund.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In provisions for a community care program of services to prevent unnecessary institutionalization of persons age 60 and older, provides that the Department on Aging's eligibility standards for the services must include a provision that, to be eligible for services, a person may not have assets totaling more than $15,000 in FY05, $17,500 in FY06, and $20,000 in FY07 if (i) the person is unmarried or (ii) the person is married and the person or the person's spouse meets certain criteria. Provides that if the person is married and the person's spouse does not receive community care services, the person may not have assets totaling more than the asset disregard amount used by the Department of Public Aid in determining eligibility for medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that a person who does not meet the eligibility standards for services to prevent unnecessary institutionalization because of excess assets may establish eligibility for those services by paying a monthly amount to the Department on Aging as a spend-down or deductible. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. In each of the definitions of "aggregate extension" excludes extensions made to fund the district's expenses to provide joint recreational programs for the handicapped under the Park District Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to conduct a study to (i) develop an understanding of the geology of each aquifer in the State; (ii) determine the groundwater flow through the geologic units and the interaction of groundwater with surface waters; and (iii) determine the chemistry of the geologic units and the groundwater in those units. Requires the Department to develop geologic and groundwater flow models for each underground aquifer in the State based upon information obtained from the study. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code. Provides that "debt service extension base" means, for park districts (i) that were first subject to this Law in 1991 or 1995 and (ii) whose extension for the 1994 levy year for the payment of principal and interest on bonds issued by the park district without referendum (but not including excluded non-referendum bonds) was less than 51% of the amount for the 1991 levy year constituting an extension for payment of principal and interest on bonds issued by the park district without referendum (but not including excluded non-referendum bonds), an amount equal to that portion of the extension for the 1991 levy year constituting an extension for payment of principal and interest on bonds issued by the park district without referendum (but not including excluded non-referendum bonds). Provides that "excluded non-referendum bonds" means (i) bonds authorized for certain aquarium and museum projects, (ii) double-barrelled bonds, and (iii) refunding obligations issued to refund or to continue to refund obligations initially issued pursuant to referendum.

Amends the Toll Highway Act. Provides that the Toll Highway Authority has the power to enter into a contract with a unit of local government or other public or private entity under which the Authority agrees to collect by electronic means tolls, fees, or revenues on behalf of that entity. Effective July 1, 2003.

Proclaims the week of November 16, 2003 as the American Art Therapy Association Week in the State of Illinois.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning definitions.

Recognizes the 100th Anniversary of the Jewish Community Centers of Chicago and proclaims November 12, 2003 to be Jewish Community Centers of Chicago Day in the State of Illinois and encourages all citizens to take cognizance of the great role of Jewish Community Centers of Chicago in community life.