Rep. Arthur L. Turner

Amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Nail Technology Act of 1985. Changes the short title of the Act to the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, and African Hair Braider Act of 1985. Removes the practice of African hair braiding from the definition of the practice of cosmetology and adds provisions requiring the licensure of African hair braiders beginning on October 1, 2003. Makes conforming changes throughout the Act. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to change the short title of the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Nail Technology Act of 1985 in its sunset provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. With respect to assessments in counties of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants of property that was omitted in a prior assessment year, provides that if the omitted assessment is for 2 or more years and there is evidence of ministerial error, then the assessor may recommend to the county collector an installment payment plan for the taxes billed as omitted assessments. Effective immediately.

Amends the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption provisions of the Property Tax Code. Provides that in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants (i) if the assessed valuation of property has increased by more than 20% over the previous assessed valuation of that property, an additional exemption is allowed, with the amount determined by household income and (ii) if a person has been granted a senior citizens homestead exemption, the person qualifying need not reapply for the exemption unless the person is applying for an additional exemption based upon a household income of less than $30,000. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the School District Property Tax Relief Fund as a new special fund in the State treasury. Requires the Department of Revenue, between November 15 and 17 of each year, to certify the amount of money in the Fund that is available for school district property relief grants, and provides procedures for the Department of Revenue to calculate the amount the grants. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides for a deduction (up to $1,200) for income tax purposes, for 5 years, equal to 15% of rent paid annually for a taxpayer's principal residence. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides a mechanism for property tax abatements for educational purposes.

Creates the Pistol and Revolver Ballistic Identification Databank Act. Provides that beginning April 1, 2004, any manufacturer that ships, transports, or delivers a pistol or revolver to any person in this State must, in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of State Police, include in the container with the pistol or revolver a separate sealed container that encloses: (1) a shell casing of a bullet or projectile discharged from the pistol or revolver; and (2) any additional information that identifies the pistol or revolver and shell casing as required by the rules adopted by the Department of State Police. Provides that beginning April 1, 2004, a gunsmith or federally licensed firearm dealer must, within 10 days after delivering to any person a pistol or revolver received by the gunsmith or dealer on or after that date, forward to the Department of State Police, along with a description of the firearm, including its make, model, caliber, and serial number, the sealed container enclosing the shell casing from the pistol or revolver either (1) received from the manufacturer or (2) obtained through participation in the program operated by the Department of State Police. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that beginning on January 1, 2004 the Illinois Department of Transportation shall conduct a pilot project to provide direct payments by the State to subcontractors for construction work upon satisfactory completion of any subcontractor's portion of the contract. Provides that, upon successful completion of the pilot project, the Department shall implement the program for all construction projects. Effective immediately.

Amends the Simplified Municipal Telecommunications Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning imposition of the tax.

Urges the Department of Corrections to allow inmates at Stateville Prison to publish a quarterly newspaper.

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 Telecommunications Infrastructure Maintenance Fee Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning collection, enforcement, and administration of the fee.