Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Makes a technical change in a Section defining "lobbyist".
Congratulates Avenues to Independence on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code with respect to colorectal cancer examinations. Provides that insurance coverage must provide coverage for colorectal cancer examinations according to the most recently published guidelines of the American Cancer Society. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Removes language that terminates the earned income tax credit with taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2002. Exempts the credit from the sunset requirements. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning State goals and assessment.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that when the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense and the accused was a member of the clergy, a prosecution for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse may be commenced at any time. Effective immediately.
Creates the Illinois Early Learning Council Act. Establishes the Illinois Early Learning Council to coordinate existing State programs and services for children from birth to 5 years of age in order to better meet the early learning needs of children and their families. Provides for the appointment of members to the Council who represent both public and private organizations and who shall serve on a voluntary, unpaid basis.
Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Provides that the Department shall make grants from the Asthma and Research Fund to the Asthma Clinical Research Center program administered by the American Lung Association. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Asthma and Lung Research Fund. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall print on its standard individual income tax form a provision indicating that if the taxpayer wishes to contribute to the Asthma and Lung Research Fund, he or she may do so by stating the amount of the contribution on the return and that the contribution will reduce the taxpayer's refund or increase the amount of payment to accompany the return. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Aid to jointly establish an interagency committee to (1) assist the departments in making recommendations on incorporating health care advocates into education, training, and placement programs for TANF recipients, (2) develop more outreach and educational materials to help TANF families make informed choices concerning health insurance and health care, and (3) develop methods to simplify the process of applying for Medicaid. Effective immediately.
Amends the Children's Health Insurance Program Act to extend the sunset date for the Act from July 1, 2003 to July 1, 2006. Effective immediately.
