Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders to the extent that the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders are not already covered by the policy or plan. Provides that this coverage shall be subject to a maximum benefit of $36,000 per year, but shall not be subject to any limits on the number of visits to an autism service provider. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Urges the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the plaintiffs in a lawsuit concerning Cook County children's access to medical care to come to an agreement on an expert in connection with a study regarding access to specialist services by the children in the plaintiff class as well as children in similar situations.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax deduction for individuals and trusts and estates for any amount exceeding $2,000 expended for the purchase of a hearing aid. Effective immediately.
Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that no tax is imposed under the Acts upon the use or purchase of (i) tangible personal property that is purchased in its original package for a selling price of $600 or less or (ii) tangible personal property that qualifies as an "Energy Star" product under the federal Energy Star Program to the extent of the first $600 of value if that property is purchased during a tax holiday. Defines "tax-holiday" as the period from 12:01 a.m. on May 23, 2008 through midnight of May 26, 2008. Sets forth criteria for transactions to qualify for the exemption. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that, notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Teachers Health Insurance Security Fund is not subject to sweeps, administrative charge-backs, or any other fiscal or budgetary maneuver that would in any way transfer any amounts from the Teachers Health Insurance Security Fund into any other fund of the State. Effective immediately.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates the Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption, under which an exemption from the property's value is granted for residential property that is owned and occupied as a residence by a veteran for the tax year in which the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. In a Section concerning the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, provides that in all counties (now, in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants), the county board may by resolution provide that if a person has been granted the homestead exemption, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption. In a Section concerning the alternative general homestead exemption, extends the alternative exemption by an additional 3 years. Provides that the maximum amount of the exemption is $60,000 if the general assessment year for the property is 2006 or later. Provides that the base year for counties other than Cook County is the 2005 or 2006 tax year. Provides that, to subject itself to the provisions of the alternative general homestead exemption, a county must adopt an ordinance to that effect within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Makes other changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code and the Counties Code. Provides that it is a State's Attorney's duty to notify the State Superintendent of Education upon the conviction of any individual known to possess a certificate issued under the School Code of any of certain offenses or any other felony conviction. In the criminal history records check provisions of the School Code, makes changes concerning the offenses for which a school board may not knowingly employ a person. Provides that no one may be certified to teach or supervise in the public schools who has been convicted of certain offenses (instead of providing that in determining good character, any felony conviction of an applicant may be taken into consideration, but such a conviction shall not operate as a bar to registration). In provisions concerning suspension or revocation of a certificate, provides that the State Superintendent of Education has the exclusive authority to initiate the suspension of up to 5 calendar years or revocation of any certificate (instead of providing that a certificate may be suspended for a period not to exceed one calendar year by the regional superintendent of schools or for a period not to exceed 5 calendar years by the State Superintendent). With respect to certificate suspension and revocation, makes changes concerning an investigation, notice, a hearing, an appeal, and the offenses that are grounds for suspension and revocation. Makes other changes.
Appropriates $150,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for a grant to the Maryville Academy Crisis Nursery for services including care for children and family support programs. Effective July 1, 2008.
Amends the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
