Appropriates $1,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for a grant to the Illinois Assistive Technology Project for the establishment and operation of a comprehensive statewide program that loans assistive technology devices to individuals with disabilities residing in this State. Effective July 1, 2003.
Amends the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act. In provisions for a program of services to prevent unnecessary institutionalization of persons, requires the Department of Human Services to pay an amount into a fund to provide health care coverage for individuals who perform more than 20 hours of preventive services per week. Provides that the amount must equal $1.40 for each hour of preventive services provided under the program. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the State aid formula.
Amends the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act. Increases a personal care attendant's hourly wage as follows: (i) to $6 per hour beginning July 1, 2003; (ii) to $7 per hour beginning January 1, 2005; and (iii) to $8 per hour beginning July 1, 2005. Effective July 1, 2003.
Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that no transfers may be made, in order to help defray the State's operating costs for the fiscal year, from the Road Fund or the State Construction Account Fund on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Effective July 1, 2004.
Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to establish a program to provide monetary incentives to teachers who are certified to teach special education. To receive a monetary incentive, provides that the teacher shall contract with the State Board of Education to teach in a special education program in a school district for 3 school years (with the monetary incentive totaling $10,000).
Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the State Finance Act, and the General Obligation Bond Act. Requires the Department to establish the Build Illinois Transit Program for the construction and acquisition of property and equipment for new mass transportation facilities and new or expanded mass transportation service by the State, a public or private entity, or 2 or more of these entities. Provides that the Department may (i) enter into contracts for new mass transportation facilities and new or expanded mass transportation service and (ii) make grants to units of local government and mass transit carriers. Lists specific projects to be funded and the specific funding amounts for fiscal years 2004 through 2008. Creates special funds within the State treasury for these purposes and to provide supplemental operating funds to entities authorized to provide and promote public transportation within the State for new or expanded mass transportation service and facilities created under the Build Illinois Transit Program. Increases by $5,550,000,000 the State's general bond authorization for mass transportation facilities under the Build Illinois Transit Program. Requires transfers from the General Revenue Fund to one of the newly-created special funds for the payment of the principal and interest on the bonds. Effective July 1, 2003.
Amends the Election Code. Requires that all polling places be accessible to handicapped and elderly electors by January 1, 2004, as determined by rule of the State Board of Elections. Effective immediately.
Amends the Life Care Facilities Act and the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides for influenza and pneumonia vaccinations for residents of life care facilities and nursing homes. Provides immunity for a facility that administers the vaccinations except in cases of willful or wanton misconduct on behalf of the facility. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Authorizes a credit for public and private elementary and secondary school teachers in the following amounts: $500 if the teacher has completed at least 2 but less than 5 years of teaching by the end of the taxable year, $750 if the teacher has completed at least 5 but less than 10 years of teaching by the end of the taxable year, $1,000 if the teacher has completed at least 10 but less than 15 years of teaching by the end of the taxable year, and $1,500 if the teacher has completed at least 15 years of teaching by the end of the taxable year. The credit, however, may not exceed 50% of the amount of tax owing on the taxable amount of the salary of the teacher less the amount of the exemption claimed by the teacher and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Exempts the credit from the sunset provisions of the Act.
