Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia

Amends the Nursing Education Scholarship Law. Authorizes scholarships for registered nurses pursuing graduate degrees in nursing and to students in areas identified as designated shortage areas. Provides that 20% of scholarships shall be for recipients pursuing graduate degrees and reduces percentages for other recipients. Removes provisions concerning scholarships for pursuing a hospital-based diploma in nursing.

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 Service Men's Employment Tenure Act. Provides that persons in military service with the State of Illinois or in federal active duty service (instead of only in military service with the State) pursuant to the orders of the President of the United States or the Governor (instead of only the Governor) are entitled to certain rights in connection with a stay, postponement, or suspension of court proceedings and a monetary credit or refund of college tuition and fees. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Adds to the list of State employees who must file statements of economic interests those who negotiate, assign, authorize, or grant naming or sponsorship rights to State property or assets. Effective immediately.

Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Provides for relinquishment of a newborn infant to a police station (in addition to a hospital, fire station, or emergency medical facility). Provides that "police station" means a municipal police station or a county sheriff's office. Provides that a police station to which a newborn infant is relinquished must arrange for the transportation of the infant to the nearest hospital as soon as transportation can be arranged. 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.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Creates the offense of criminal trespass to a motion picture exhibition facility. Provides that it is a Class 4 felony to knowingly possess, carry, bear, or transport an audiovisual recording device into a motion picture exhibition facility without the consent of the owner or lessee of that exhibition facility and the licensor of the motion picture being exhibited. Establishes immunity from civil liability for an owner, lessee, employee, or agent of a motion picture exhibition facility who in good faith detains a person suspected of a violation of these provisions until law enforcement officers arrive. Permits law enforcement officers to carry audiovisual equipment into a motion picture exhibition facility during a lawful investigation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Unified Code of Corrections. Transfers language regarding penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating compounds from the disposition provision of the Unified Code of Corrections to the DUI provision of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Consolidates certain language within both provisions to create new language within the Illinois Vehicle Code provision and to increase the penalties that may be imposed in certain circumstances. Makes corresponding changes in other provisions of the Unified Code of Corrections and in the Clerks of Courts Act. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to provide that a person commits aggravated DUI if he or she commits DUI while driving a school bus with persons 18 years of age or younger on board (rather than with children on board).

Amends the Office of Banks and Real Estate Act. Requires the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate to work in cooperation with the Director of Aging to ensure that all financial institutions regulated by the Office of Banks and Real Estate participate fully in the Department on Aging's financial exploitation of the elderly intervention program. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that if, at the time of enrollment, dependents of United States military personnel are housed in temporary housing located outside of a school district, but will be living within that school district within 60 days after the time of initial enrollment, the dependents shall be enrolled, upon a sufficient showing of proof, and shall not be charged non-resident tuition. Provides that non-resident dependents of United States military personnel attending school on a tuition-free basis may be counted for the purposes of determining the apportionment of State aid. Effective immediately.