Rep. Jim Watson

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Beginning January 1, 2005, decreases the NPDES fees for certain facilities with a Design Average Flow rate of at least 500,000 gallons per day but less than 5,000,000 gallons per day. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency may refund the difference between any fee amounts paid and the reduced fee amounts due under this amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Family Caregiver Act, to be administered by the Department on Aging, for the purpose of encouraging family members to provide care for their elderly family members. Requires the Department to contract with area agencies on aging and other appropriate agencies to provide family caregiver support services to the extent of available funding. Provides that the services include counseling, training, and respite care. Also authorizes caregiver support services for grandparents who are primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act; creates a family caregiver tax credit of up to $3,000 for a taxpayer who provides the daily care or supervision of a family member who is a frail or disabled adult. Amends the Respite Program Act. Deletes references to abused adults and to functionally disabled or cognitively impaired adults (so that the Act applies to "frail or disabled" adults). Defines a "frail or disabled adult" as a person age 60 (instead of 55) or older and who either (i) suffers from Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder or (ii) is unable to attend to his or her daily needs without assistance or regular supervision. Deletes references to the Council on Aging. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $500,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for a grant to the Illinois Assistive Technology Project. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, unless some other speed restriction has been established under the Code, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for any vehicle is 65 miles per hour. Effective January 1, 2005.

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.

Creates the Rural Water Task Force to study ways to improve access to rural water infrastructure funds.

Recognizes Barbara J. Gross for over 30 years of dedication to the citizens of Morgan County.

Congratulates Karilyn Lipcamon on her receipt of the Youth Community-Certificate of Merit.

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.