Rep. Karen A. Yarbrough

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging by providing that, beginning July 1, 2004, vendors of homemaker, chore, and housekeeping services shall receive a rate increase of $1.16 per hour if at least $0.86 of that increase is used to increase the wages of homemakers and chore housekeepers. Provides that vendors receiving this increase must submit proof to the Department, either (i) by a an audited supplemental to the Direct Service Workers cost report or (ii) by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement, that they have increased homemakers' and chore housekeepers' wages by $0.86 per hour. Effective on July 1, 2004.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning a school building code.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. With respect to real estate transactions, prohibits discrimination on the basis of source of income. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning required liability insurance.

Amends the School Code. In a provision concerning teachers in school districts other than the Chicago school district, makes the probationary period 2 (instead of 4) consecutive school terms before the teacher enters upon contractual continued service. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Teachers Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Extends the deadline for application for early retirement without discount from June 30, 2005 to June 30, 2010; also reduces the required contribution for some members. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that accident and health insurers and health care professionals and health care providers must have the ability to accept and submit claims electronically in accordance with federal standards. Provides for the Department of Insurance to establish a timetable for compliance. Establishes an exemption for long term care facilities and small health care providers and professionals. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the State Finance Act. Creates the Illinois American Cancer Society Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides for the issuance of American Cancer Society license plates. Provides that in addition to the appropriate registration fees, an applicant for the special plate shall be charged a fee of $40 at original issuance and $27 at renewal. Provides that $25 of the additional original issuance fee and of the renewal fee shall be deposited into the Illinois American Cancer Society Fund. Provides that $15 of the original issuance fee and $2 of the renewal fee shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and approval by the Secretary of State, the moneys in the American Cancer Society Fund shall be paid as grants to the American Cancer Society for use in its programs and services. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Authorizes the Illinois Housing Development Authority to develop and implement a program of financial assistance to recently hired Illinois teachers purchasing their first primary residence. Limits the program to teachers employed by school districts defined by the State Board of Education as financially needy or experiencing a teacher shortage. Limits eligibility to public school teachers with no more than 2 years of employment as teachers who commit to teach in their school district for at least 3 years after their closing date. Effective July 1, 2003.

Creates the Display of Tobacco Products Act. Provides that it is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, give away, or display tobacco products for sale at any location where the consumer can acquire those products through self-service. Provides that every tobacco product must be displayed from behind a sales or service counter so that a consumer cannot access tobacco products without assistance by an employee of the retail establishment authorized to sell tobacco products. Exempts the sale of tobacco products from vending machines if the vending machines are located in places authorized under the Sale of Tobacco to Minors Act. Provides that a violation is a petty offense for which the court shall impose a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000.