Rep. Jack McGuire

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the payment methodology for the nursing component that facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities must implement shall include, but is not limited to, specific adjustments for additional care and services required by persons with Alzheimer's Disease and related conditions.

Amends the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act. Increases a personal care attendant's minimum hourly wage to $6 beginning July 1, 2002, and $7 beginning January 1, 2004. Effective July 1, 2003.

Creates the Human Voice Contact Act. Provides that a State agency that uses automated telephone answering equipment to answer incoming telephone calls must, during the normal business hours of the agency, provide the caller with the option, among the first set of menu choices, of speaking to a live operator. Exempts a telephone line that is dedicated as a hot line for emergency services or to provide general information.

Provides that the House will work with the Governor's Office to implement policies to improve the childcare system for families and childcare workers.

Amends the Illinois Act on Aging. Requires that only non-exempt asset eligible applicants for the Department on Aging's services to prevent unnecessary institutionalization must apply for Medicaid, rather than all applicants and service recipients.

Amends the Community Services Act. Provides that providers of community services for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled shall increase the wages of direct care workers by at least the same percentage as the increase in funds they receive from the State for the cost of doing business in fiscal year 2003 and fiscal year 2004. Provides that each community services provider shall certify to the Department of Human Services, as provided by rule by the Department, that it has provided the wage increases in accordance with these requirements.

Amends the School Code. Adds a Section concerning vending machines in schools. Contains only a caption.

Amends the Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act. Provides that units of local government may regulate smoking in public places; provides that this regulation must be no less restrictive than the Act. Changes the home rule limitation from an absolute preemption under subsection (h) of Article VII, Section 6 (with an exception for units having pre-existing ordinances) to a limitation on the concurrent exercise of home rule power under subsection (i). 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.

Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. Provides that beginning on January 1, 2004, the pharmaceutical assistance program covers prescription drugs used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.