Rep. Kathleen A. Ryg

Amends the Illinois Rural/Downstate Health Act. Adds a caption to the Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Corporate Location Efficiency Task Force to study and report on the issues of jobsite locations and the commute time and cost of housing issues for employees across the State.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Sets forth legislative findings concerning the funding and implementation of renewable energy sources by public universities. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services, in consultation with its Child Care and Development Advisory Council, to develop a comprehensive plan to revise the State's rates for the various types of child care provided for TANF recipients. Requires completion of the plan by September 30, 2004. Effective immediately.

Congratulates the Mundelein Park and Recreation District on its 50th anniversary.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to collect and publish certain data from inpatient mental health facilities. Requires certain information to be collected and authorizes the Department to specify by rule additional data to be collected. Imposes a fine (maximum of $1,000) against any mental health facility that fails to provide the required information. Provides that a facility that fails to comply with the requirements of the Section shall not receive any funds through the Department. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Public Aid may not establish any formulary limits on, or restrict by any prior authorization requirement, any insulin prescription drug as prescribed and determined to be medically necessary for the treatment of diabetes. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Provides that, in mobile home parks located in a county with a population of more than 3,000,000 or in a county with a population of more than 250,000 that is contiguous to a county with a population of more than 3,000,000: rent may not be increased by more than the consumer price index for a tenant who is between the ages of 65 and 69 and who is renting the same lot as the preceding year; and rent may not be increased for a tenant who is 70 years of age or older and who is renting the same lot as the preceding year. Provides for penalties for violation. Effective immediately.

Creates the Department of Education Act and amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Illinois State Auditing Act, the Illinois Pension Code, and the School Code. Creates the Department of Education, with a Secretary of Education as its head. Provides that all of the rights, powers, duties, and functions vested by law in the State Board of Education or the State Superintendent of Education (except the State Board of Education's duty under the Illinois Constitution to appoint a chief State educational officer) are transferred to the Department of Education on July 1, 2005. Provides for the transfer of personnel and property. Requires the Auditor General to conduct a financial audit of the State Board of Education. Provides that the State Board of Education's powers and duties are limited by law, as provided in the Illinois Constitution, to only the following: (i) the State Board of Education shall research current educational best practices and policies and shall report its findings to the Department of Education, (ii) the State Board of Education shall provide suggestions to the Department of Education as to the long-range implications of the practices and policies, and (iii) the State Board of Education shall consult with the Department of Education on all matters related to education-related topics. Makes other changes. Certain provisions effective July 1, 2004; other provisions effective July 1, 2005.

Creates the Comprehensive Housing, Health, and Supportive Services for Older Adults Act and amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, the State Finance Act, and the Nursing Home Care Act. Requires the Director of Public Health, in coordination with the Director of Aging and the Director of Public Aid, to monitor and analyze the distribution of housing and services for older adults in the different geographic areas of the State and implement corrective action plans by July 1, 2005. Provides for a program for conversion of nursing homes to assisted living or shared housing establishments; makes such conversions exempt from the requirements of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, and provides for transition planning grants to nursing homes making such conversions. Creates special funds in the State treasury for use in implementing the Comprehensive Housing, Health, and Supportive Services for Older Adults Act. Provides for transfers from the Long Term Care Monitor/Receiver Fund to the new Nursing Home Conversion Fund and the new Nursing Home Transition Planning Grant Fund. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.