Rep. Tom Cross

Creates the Gender Violence Act. Provides that any person who has been subjected to gender-related violence may bring a civil action for damages, injunctive relief, or other appropriate relief against the person who committed that act. Requires commencement of an action within 10 years after the cause of action accrued or, if the person is a minor, within 7 years after the person turns 18. Applies only to causes of action accruing on or after the bill's effective date.

Amends the Water Commission Act of 1985. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that hospitals must submit plans and specifications only for major construction materially affecting patient isolation or operating rooms, hospital egress, compartmentalization or storage, and other conditions covered under the Life Safety Code. Provides that the Department must give a hospital that is planning to submit a construction project for review the opportunity to discuss its plans and specifications with the Department before the hospital formally submits the plans and specifications for Department review. Provides that the Department shall conduct on-site inspection of the completed project no later than 10 business days (rather than 30 days) after notification from the applicant that the project has been completed and all certifications have been received and accepted by the Department. Deletes provisions making waivers of compliance with the rules or standards applicable only to construction or physical plants. Makes changes in procedures for inspections, investigations, and surveys. Provides that if the Department does not resolve disputed deficiencies after the informal dispute resolution process, the Department must provide a written explanation to the hospital of why deficiencies have not been removed from the statement of deficiencies. Provides that the Department must implement a reviewer performance improvement program for hospital survey, inspection, and investigation staff. Makes other changes.

Amends the Income Tax Act to create the Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) Research Fund checkoff. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall print on its standard individual income tax form a provision indicating that if the taxpayer wishes to contribute to the Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) Research Fund, he or she may do so by stating the amount of the contribution on the return and that the contribution will reduce the taxpayer's refund or increase the amount of payment to accompany the return. Amends the Department of Public Aid Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Public Aid shall make grants from the Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) Research Fund to the Les Turner ALS Foundation for research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Amends the State Finance Act to create the Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) Research Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. In a Section concerning the debt limitations of school districts, provides that until November 1, 2007, a community unit school district maintaining grades K through 12 may issue bonds up to an amount, including existing indebtedness, not exceeding 20% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property in the district if, among other conditions, the school district has an equalized assessed valuation for calendar year 2001 of at least $737,000,000 and an enrollment for the 2002-2003 school year of at least 8,500 and the bonds are issued to purchase school sites, build and equip a new high school, build and equip a new junior high school, build and equip 5 new elementary schools, and make technology and other improvements and additions to existing schools. Effective immediately.

Thanks Bert Gray for his many years of community service to the Oswego area.

Mourns the death of Victor Frantz of Somerset, Kentucky, formerly of Oswego.

Honors Boy Scout Troop 31 for over 75 years of scouting in Oswego.

Congratulates Chief of Police of Oswego, Robert Wunsch, on the occasion of his retirement.

Supports the Short Term Borrowing Act and urges the Illinois Development Finance Authority and the Illinois Health Facilities Authority to sell short-term notes to buy the accounts receivables of providers.