Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Eliminates the 100-day TRS membership waiting period for persons receiving a retirement annuity under the Chicago Teacher Article. Permits certain teachers who interrupted service under the Chicago Teacher Article because of pregnancy to purchase TRS credit for the period of leave. Incorporates the 2.2% retirement formula into the calculation of the single-sum retirement benefit. Combines the Members' Contribution Reserve and the Employer's Contribution Reserve into a single new Benefit Trust Reserve. Provides for participation in the System by current System employees who elect to participate after a change in position. Provides that a member who elects to receive an optional increase in retirement annuity may make the required contributions in installments over a 24-month period regardless of when the member becomes an annuitant (currently the member must become an annuitant before June 30, 2003). Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that it is an affirmative defense to a violation of a municipal ordinance that prohibits, regulates, or restricts the private ownership of firearms if the individual who is charged with the violation used the firearm in an act of self-defense or defense of another. Effective immediately.
Amends the Recreational Trails of Illinois Act with respect to the Off-Highway Vehicle Trails Fund. Removes the prohibition of using moneys in the Fund for construction of motorized recreational trails on Department of Natural Resources owned or managed land. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Public Aid may not establish any formulary limits on, or restrict by any prior authorization requirement, any insulin prescription drug as prescribed and determined to be medically necessary for the treatment of diabetes. Effective July 1, 2004.
Amends the Recreational Trails of Illinois Act. With respect to the Off-Highway Vehicle Trails Fund, provides that at least 92% (now 60%) shall be allocated for motorized recreation and not more than 8% may be used for administration, enforcement, planning, and implementation costs. Effective immediately.
Creates the Department of Education Act and amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Illinois State Auditing Act, the Illinois Pension Code, and the School Code. Creates the Department of Education, with a Secretary of Education as its head. Provides that all of the rights, powers, duties, and functions vested by law in the State Board of Education or the State Superintendent of Education (except the State Board of Education's duty under the Illinois Constitution to appoint a chief State educational officer) are transferred to the Department of Education on July 1, 2005. Provides for the transfer of personnel and property. Requires the Auditor General to conduct a financial audit of the State Board of Education. Provides that the State Board of Education's powers and duties are limited by law, as provided in the Illinois Constitution, to only the following: (i) the State Board of Education shall research current educational best practices and policies and shall report its findings to the Department of Education, (ii) the State Board of Education shall provide suggestions to the Department of Education as to the long-range implications of the practices and policies, and (iii) the State Board of Education shall consult with the Department of Education on all matters related to education-related topics. Makes other changes. Certain provisions effective July 1, 2004; other provisions effective July 1, 2005.
Creates the Public Service Accountability Act. Sets out the requirements for privatization contracts between contractors and State agencies. Provides for the monitoring and enforcement of privatization contracts. Establishes fines and prison sentences for a violation of certain Sections of the Act. Effective immediately.
Creates the Comprehensive Housing, Health, and Supportive Services for Older Adults Act and amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, the State Finance Act, and the Nursing Home Care Act. Requires the Director of Public Health, in coordination with the Director of Aging and the Director of Public Aid, to monitor and analyze the distribution of housing and services for older adults in the different geographic areas of the State and implement corrective action plans by July 1, 2005. Provides for a program for conversion of nursing homes to assisted living or shared housing establishments; makes such conversions exempt from the requirements of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, and provides for transition planning grants to nursing homes making such conversions. Creates special funds in the State treasury for use in implementing the Comprehensive Housing, Health, and Supportive Services for Older Adults Act. Provides for transfers from the Long Term Care Monitor/Receiver Fund to the new Nursing Home Conversion Fund and the new Nursing Home Transition Planning Grant Fund. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Makes a technical change in a Section requiring the Department of Corrections to designate those institutions and facilities that are maintained for persons assigned as adults and as juveniles.
Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Applies to agreements under which an Internet service provider provides service to Illinois consumers for a one-year term that is automatically renewed for another one-year term unless a consumer cancels the service. Requires an Internet service provider to give a consumer: at least 30 days' advance notice of the annual service renewal date, which notice shall include instructions that the consumer may follow to cancel the service at the Internet service provider's web site; and a secure method at the Internet service provider's web site that the consumer may use to cancel the service, which method shall not require the consumer to make a telephone call or send U.S. Postal Service mail to effectuate the cancellation. Provides that a person who violates those provisions commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act.