Amends the State Prompt Payment Act. Defines "qualified provider" as an organization that provides non-residential services for the elderly or for the prevention, intervention, or treatment of mental illness, developmental disabilities, or alcoholism or substance abuse. Provides that a properly prepared voucher request to the Office of the Comptroller for payment to a qualified provider shall be given priority by the Comptroller for processing and warrant issuance after debt service obligations and payroll obligations of the State have been met unless the Comptroller deems that other obligations of the State must be satisfied prior to these categories of payment. Provides that, if at any time the Comptroller determines that there are insufficient funds available to process priority payments, then vouchers shall be processed and paid out in a first-in, first-out manner as corresponding funds become available. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act to change the titles of certain District managers and departments. Effective immediately.
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act. Provides that for purposes of continuity of care, licensed private hospitals receiving payments from the Department of Human Services or the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may disclose a recipient's record or communications to each other or to other specified entities, but only for admission, treatment, planning, or discharge. Provides a definition of "licensed private hospital". Effective immediately.
Amends the Public Employee Disability Act. Provides that an eligible public employee's disability benefit shall not extend more than 2 years (now, one year) in relation to the same injury.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Increases the amount of the earned income tax credit from 5% of the federal credit to: (i) 7.5% of the federal tax credit for taxable years ending in calendar year 2007; and (ii) 10% of the federal tax credit for taxable years ending in calendar year 2008 or thereafter. Effective immediately.
Amends the Disabilities Services Act of 2003. Provides that 2 members of the Illinois House of Representatives and 2 members of the Illinois Senate shall serve as non-voting members of the advisory committee established to assist in the implementation of a disabilities services plan. Provides that other State officials may be invited to participate in the committee. Deletes a provision requiring the Director of Employment Security or his or her designee to serve as an ex-officio non-voting member of the committee. Provides that the committee shall select co-chairs and may select other officers (now, the committee selects a chair and a vice-chair). Requires implementation of the disability services plan by July 1, 2007 (instead of July 1, 2005). Provides that the advisory committee shall assist the Governor with annual updates of the plan. Requires annual updates until 2010. Effective immediately.
Amends the Hemophilia Care Act. Adds the findings of the General Assembly. Creates the Hemophilia Advisory Review Board. Provides that the Board shall review, may comment upon, and make recommendations to the Director of Healthcare and Family Services and the Director of Insurance with regard to, but not limited to, certain issues regarding hemophilia. Provides that the Board shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a report with recommendations for maintaining access to care and obtaining appropriate health insurance coverage for individuals with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. Provides that the report shall be subject to public review and comment prior to adoption. No later than 6 months after adoption by the Governor and Legislature and annually thereafter, the Director of Healthcare and Family Services shall issue a report, which shall be made available to the public, on the status of implementing the recommendations as proposed by the Board and on any state and national activities with regard to hemophilia and other bleeding and disorders. Makes other technical changes.
In addition to any amounts previously appropriated for that purpose, appropriates $33,700,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services to fund a full 3% cost-of-doing-business increase in the topline rates paid to private sector agencies serving individuals with developmental disabilities. Appropriates $10,000,000 to the Department for a similar increase in the rates paid to private sector agencies serving individuals with mental illness. Effective July 1, 2007.
Creates the Affordable and Clean Energy Standards (ACES) Act. Provides the findings of the General Assembly. Provides that electric utilities shall utilize cost-effective energy efficiency and load management investment in their energy resource portfolios according to specified guidelines. Provides that the Capital Development Board shall adopt the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code, without amendment, as the statewide residential building code for new home construction and significant additions or remodels of existing homes. Includes a severability clause. Preempts home rule. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that an employer is not liable for injuries to passengers and other persons who are not employees (as well as not being liable for injuries to passenger and other persons who are employees) of the employer as a result of the use in a ridesharing arrangement of a car or van that is not owned, leased, or contracted for by the employer, regardless of whether or not the employer encourages his or her employees to participate in ridesharing arrangements.