Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Department of Transportation and local authorities may issue permits allowing certain additional vehicles with weights exceeding normal limits to transport specified agricultural products over any highway except an interstate highway. Provides that the permit may be issued to a 3, 4, or 5 axle (as well as to a 2 axle) vehicle registered with the Secretary of State. Provides that the weight of a 3 or 4 axle vehicle may not exceed the normal weight limit by more than 20%, and the weight of a 5 axle vehicle may not exceed the normal limit by more than 10%. Provides that a vehicle may not exceed the license limits for that vehicle. Deletes language providing that these permits may authorize transport during the harvest season only. Provides that these vehicles may transport products from a storage facility (as well as from a field). Deletes language providing that the vehicle's destination must be a specified processing plant. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Makes a technical change to the penalty Section.
Amends the Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Act and the Excellence in Academic Medicine Act. Provides that Alzheimer's disease and related disorders affect an estimated 4,500,000 (rather than 1,500,000) Americans and approximately 200,000 (rather than 111,000) Illinois citizens. Provides that the Alzheimer's Disease Advisory Committee shall review and evaluate State programs and services provided by State agencies that are directed toward persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and recommend changes to improve the State's response to this health problem. Provides that payments to hospitals affiliated with each Regional Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Center shall be effected through the Illinois Department of Public Aid under the Excellence in Academic Medicine Act. Creates the Alzheimer's Disease Center Fund (and amends the State Finance Act to include the fund as a special fund in the State treasury). Creates an Alzheimer's Disease Center Program to provide financial incentives to the Regional Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Centers established under the Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Act.
Amends the School Code and the State Finance Act. Requires the State Board of Education to establish a 3-year technology immersion pilot project to provide a wireless laptop computer to each student, teacher, and relevant administrator in a participating school and implement the use of software, on-line courses, and other appropriate learning technologies that have been shown to improve academic achievement and specified progress measures. Creates the Technology Immersion Pilot Project Fund as a special fund in the State treasury, with moneys being used by the State Board for the pilot project. Requires participating school districts to send an annual progress report to the State Board. Effective immediately.
Amends the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act. Provides that if a person has been committed as a sexually violent person and has not been discharged, the Department of Human Services shall submit a written report to the court (rather than conduct an examination) on his or her mental condition within 6 months after an initial commitment and then at least once every 12 months thereafter. Provides that any examiner conducting an examination of the person shall prepare a written report of the examination no later than 30 days after the date of the examination. Provides that if a detainee or civilly committed sexually violent person escapes, dies, or is subject to any court-ordered change in custody status of the detainee or sexually violent person, the Department of Human Services shall make a reasonable attempt to notify, if he or she can be found, all of the following persons, if applicable, who request notification under the Act or under the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act: (1) the victim of the act of sexual violence; (2) an adult member of the victim's family, if the victim died as a result of the act of sexual violence; (3) the victim's parent or legal guardian, if the victim is younger than 18 years old; and (4) the Department of Corrections. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. In the State aid formula provisions, provides that calculation of Available Local Resources shall exclude tax amnesty funds received as a result of Public Act 93-26. Effective immediately.
Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that proof that a minor was present in a structure or vehicle in which the minor's parent, custodian, or guardian was involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine constitutes prima facie evidence of abuse and neglect.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2006 registration year, a person who has been approved for benefits (rather than a person who has claimed and received a grant) under the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act, or the spouse of one of those persons, shall pay $24, rather than the usual fee, for a vehicle displaying specified registration plates. Makes corresponding changes in provisions regarding Purple Heart and Korean War Veteran plates. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Creates a K-3 class size reduction grant program to be implemented and administered by the State Board of Education. Provides that only those schools that are on the early academic warning list or academic watch list and that maintain grades K-3 are grant eligible. Limits use of the grant funds to operating and maintaining classes in grades K-3 with a class size of no more than 20 pupils. Effective immediately.
Amends the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act. Increases the amount of moneys in the Nursing Dedicated and Professional Fund to be appropriated to the Department of Public Health for nursing scholarships awarded pursuant to the Nursing Education Scholarship Law from $750,000 to $1,500,000 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2004 and each fiscal year thereafter. Effective immediately.