Rep. Esther Golar

Amends the Community Services Act. Requires the Governor to create a commission by July 1, 2009 (instead of 2007) to review various matters in connection with funding for community services. Provides that if the Governor does not make appointments to the commission by July 1, 2009, then the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and the President and Minority Leader of the Senate shall make appointments to the commission. Provides that the commission must issue a final report no later than December 31, 2010 (instead of September 1, 2008). Adds 3 directors of Department of Human Services (DHS) divisions as commission members. Requires DHS to provide staff support for the commission. Effective immediately.

Creates the Consumer Alternatives Program Act. Directs the Department of Human Services to implement the Consumer Alternatives Program to prevent or avoid the unnecessary institutionalization of individuals with mental or substance use disorders or a co-occurring disorder of mental illness and substance abuse, and to provide cost effective, community residential settings and supports that enable these individuals to live successfully in the community. Requires implementation of the Program during fiscal year 2011. Contains provisions concerning the funding and establishment of community-based services and community-based integrated residential settings; training programs on community-based alternatives for institutional discharge staff; and outreach activities. Provides that participants in the program may receive certain services including a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis assessment; family or individual support services; case coordination services; and vocational training. Prohibits discrimination in employment based on an individual's mental or substance abuse disorder. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to assist the Department of Human Services in developing housing assistance programs aimed at promoting and assisting individuals in their transition from institution-living to community-based residency. Effective July 1, 2010.

Urges the Chicago Board of Education to adopt rules that require the signatures of a majority of parents of students in a school and require that 2 public hearings be held at varying times of the day to ensure the maximum attendance by parents before the school may operate on a Track E (year-round) calendar.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that no property owner shall allow any unreasonable obstruction of a designated aisle or parking place specifically reserved for persons with disabilities after 24 hours following the conclusion of an adverse weather event. Provides that no property owner shall allow the accumulation of debris or large objects, such as trash containers, to unreasonably obstruct any designated aisle or parking place specifically reserved for persons with disabilities without providing suitable and equivalent alternative parking spaces on-site. Provides that a person who violates these provisions shall be guilty of a petty offense and pay fine of not more than $250. Effective January 1, 2011.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2010, reimbursement for child and adult psychiatric services provided by a physician must not be lower than 90% of Medicare reimbursement in accordance with the Medicare payment localities for Illinois. Provides that beginning July 1, 2010, reimbursement for child and adult psychiatric services provided by a licensed health care professional under the Medicaid Community Mental Health Services Program must not be lower than 90% of Medicare reimbursement in accordance with Medicare payment localities for Illinois. Provides that all adjustments shall be made without lowering any rates then in effect that may be higher than the level required by these provisions. Provides that by July 2, 2010, reimbursement rules and policies shall not be more restrictive than Medicare physician payment rules and policies. Effective immediately.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Appropriates $31,600,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department on Aging for increases in wages and health insurance assistance for Community Care Program workers. Appropriates $3,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, for increases in wages and health insurance assistance for Home Services Program workers. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the Disabilities Services Act of 2003. Creates the Rapid Reintegration Pilot Program to demonstrate that, with appropriate support and services, individuals with physical disabilities, individuals with mental illness, and individuals age 65 and older who need a short-term placement in a nursing facility can successfully return to the community without institutionalization. Requires the Departments of Human Services and Aging to secure cooperation with hospitals within the geographic region served by the program in order to identify individuals who will have a short-term stay in a nursing facility. Requires Case Coordination Units, Service Coordination Agencies, and the Home Service Program to make efforts to assess whether an individual will need less than 6 months of care in a nursing facility and to make efforts to reintegrate those individuals. Provides for an enhanced Community Home Maintenance Allowance for these individuals under certain circumstances. Provides that the pilot program must operate for at least 3 years after the effective date of this Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Illinois State Board of Education, shall develop a comprehensive, integrated, and coordinated web-based system that documents in real time the availability of services proffered by the listed agencies for adults and children with disabilities. Provides that the system shall be known as the Electronic System of Care (eSOC) and shall be publicly accessible through the listed agencies' websites to allow primary and secondary customers to develop person-centered services plans, search for services or supports needed within a consumer specific time period, and track the progress an agency is making in providing needed services or supports, and to determine service gaps in the system. Effective immediately.

Amends the Health Care Justice Act. Changes the short title to the Health Care Justice Implementation Act of 2010. Provides that the mission goals of the Health Care Justice Implementation Task Force are to monitor the implementation of the federal health care reforms and make recommendations, to report regarding additional reforms needed to ensure affordable health care, and to assess current programs. Contains provisions concerning reports, public hearings, and research assessments. Effective July 1, 2010.