Rep. Rosemary Kurtz

Amends the Property Tax Code. Includes disabled persons within the provisions awarding an assessment freeze homestead exemption to senior citizens. Changes the name to the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (now Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption). Makes corresponding changes to a cross-reference to the exemption. Removes all income limitations from the freeze provision. Amends the freeze provision and the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement from the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Agricultural Fair Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Encourages "Take Your Kid To Work Day" to occur during the summer months or during school vacations to prevent any unnecessary absence from normal quality education.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Extends the period from within 30 days to within 6 months in which a spouse must report to a law enforcement agency criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse committed against that spouse by the other spouse.

Amends the School Code. Creates the Professional Teacher Standards Board consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor to administer the Article of the School Code governing the certification of teachers and other certificated school personnel and the approval of teacher and administrator preparation programs. Gives the Professional Teacher Standards Board all powers and duties currently exercised by the State Board of Education and the State Teacher Certification Board with respect to administration of the certification and program approval process, and abolishes the State Teacher Certification Board. Authorizes the Professional Teacher Standards Board to employ an Executive Director and such other staff members as are necessary to exercise its powers and duties and carry out its functions. Provides that a Standard Certificate may be renewed based on proof of professional development (instead of on proof of continuing education or professional development). Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the Counties Code. Authorizes the county board of any county to create a schedule for and to collect developer donation fees for certain impacts specifically and uniquely attributable to the development of any subdivision or resubdivision of land within an unincorporated area of the county. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no policy of accident or health insurance or any renewal of such a policy may be cancelled by the insurer, nor may any such policy contain any exception or exclusion of benefits, solely because the insured is taking an experimental drug or an investigational drug. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Removes language terminating the tax credit for start-up costs for providing employee child care. Exempts the credit from the sunset provisions of the Act.

Amends the Compensation Review Act. Provides that for the next 2 years beginning in January of 2004, the annual compensation of each elected executive branch officer, each General Assembly member, and each appointed State official at the director or assistant director level shall be an amount 2% less than the rate of compensation for that office on December 15, 2003. Prohibits cost-of-living increases in their compensation during the 2 years. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Reduces by 20% the use tax imposed on motor vehicles according to a schedule determined by the age of the vehicle.