Creates the Task Force on Executive Branch Boards and Commissions, with 2 legislators and 2 citizens to be appointed by each of the legislative leaders. Requires the Task Force to study the savings and other efficiencies of eliminating or consolidating existing boards and commissions and to report its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2005.
Amends the Non-Support Punishment Act. Increases the number of community service hours that a court may order an offender to perform to not less than 60 and not more than 240 hours per month (instead of not less than 30 and not more than 120 per month).
Amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act. Provides that a crime victim shall sign an acknowledgement that he or she has been furnished by the appropriate authority with a statement of the rights of crime victims and an explanation of those rights as set forth in the Illinois Constitution and the Act. Provides that the authority shall furnish a carbon copy of the acknowledgement to the crime victim and shall retain the original for its records. Eliminates a provision of the Act that states that the Act does not grant a person a cause of action for damages or attorney's fees. Provides that any act of omission or commission by a law enforcement officer, circuit court clerk, State's Attorney, Attorney General, Prisoner Review Board, Department of Corrections, Department of Human Services, or other State agency or private entity under contract to provide victim and witness notification services or by an employee of the agency or private entity shall impose civil liability upon the individual or entity or his or her supervisor or employer whether or not acting in good faith in rendering crime victim's assistance or otherwise enforcing the Act.
Amends the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption provisions of the Property Tax Code. Provides that, beginning in taxable year 2003, "income" does not include benefits paid under the federal Social Security Act to or for the benefit of any member of the household other than the applicant or the applicant's spouse. Amends the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption provisions and the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement from the State. Effective immediately.
Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that, for any causes of action accruing on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, a physician is not liable for medical malpractice if he or she has followed established and general standards of care.
Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that no transfers may be made, in order to help defray the State's operating costs for the fiscal year, from the Road Fund or the State Construction Account Fund on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Effective July 1, 2004.
Amends the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, as a matter of public policy, for taxes imposed for the 2004 taxable year, payable in 2005, and for each taxable year thereafter the requirement that a mortgage lender must send a copy of the tax bill to each mortgagor of the property may not be waived. Provides that if that requirement was waived before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, that waiver is void and the mortgage lender must send a copy of the tax bill to each mortgagor of the property beginning with the 2004 taxable year. Effective immediately.
Mourns the death of Jamie Moreno of Round Lake Beach.
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.
