Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that the Attorney General may commence a civil action in the name of the People of the State of Illinois as parens patriae to enforce the Act. Provides for venue and limitations. Provides that remedies are available to the Attorney General to the same extent that remedies are available to an aggrieved party, and that, in addition to those remedies, the court shall award the State, as monetary relief, 3 times the amount of profits that accrued to the respondent by reason of the act, conduct, practice, or system challenged in the action, plus costs and a reasonable attorney's fee as determined by the court. Provides that the court shall: require that damages for injuries sustained by persons other than the State be paid to those persons (with certain exceptions) to the extent they are identifiable and there is a practicable method for making the payment; and direct that damages that cannot practicably be paid to injured individuals shall be paid to the State. Provides for notice by publication or other means to aggrieved parties who may be bound by the court's judgment in the Attorney General's action and the right of any aggrieved party to elect to exclude his or her claim from adjudication. Provides that the Attorney General may intervene as parens patriae on behalf of persons in civil actions brought by aggrieved individuals under the Act. Effective immediately.
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Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that no hospital may promulgate policies or implement practices that determine differing standards of obstetrical care based upon a patient's source of payment or ability to pay for medical services and requires each hospital to provide a copy of its written policy reflecting this to the Department of Public Health and to post written notices of this policy in the obstetrical admitting areas of the hospital by July 1, 2003. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Public Aid shall provide reimbursement to medical providers for epidural anesthesia services in accordance with the guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Notary Public Act and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practice Act. Prohibits a person whose prior notary commission was suspended, canceled, or revoked from receiving another commission (now, a 10-year prohibition). Exempts notaries who are accredited immigration representatives (now, only attorneys) from the requirement that non-English advertisements of service include a notice that the notary is not an attorney. Applies the notice requirement to other identifying articles, such as letterhead and business cards. Prohibits the literal translation of various English terms that may imply the notary is an attorney. Prohibits a notary from accepting fees for immigration advice or assistance. Makes violations subject to fines, business offense penalties, and commission revocation. Makes other changes. Under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, imposes similar restrictions, requirements, and penalties on persons providing immigration services. Permits recovery of prohibited fees through compensatory damages and permits punitive damages of 3 times the amount of the fees. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning classifying and filling positions.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Changes the requirements for approval of an application for a Certificate of Interexchange Service Authority. Adds guidelines for prepaid calling cards and point of sale services. Effective immediately.
Creates the Health Care Justice Act. Provides that the State of Illinois shall implement a health care plan that provides access to a full range of preventive, acute, and long-term health care services. Establishes the Bipartisan Health Care Reform Commission with members appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. Provides for public hearings and a report by the Commission. Requires a preliminary report by February 1, 2005 and a final report by February 1, 2006. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that when the lowest responsible bidder on a contract is a non-resident, the State may award the contract to the lowest responsible resident bidder who rebids at or below the non-resident's bid.
Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Deletes provisions creating 2 classes of retailer's licenses (on premise consumption license and off premise sale license). Provides that the Illinois Liquor Control Control Commission may designate a retailer's licensee as either an on premise consumption retailer or an off premise sale retailer. Effective immediately.
Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that as a condition of licensure, a hospital must develop a written pamphlet that highlights the hospital's organ donation policy and procedures and must provide the pamphlet to potential organ donors or their families. Requires the Department of Public Health to conduct a study of hospitals in Illinois to determine which hospitals provide for organ donations from asystolic donors. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Authorizes a deduction of up to $10,000 per taxable year for amounts contributed in the taxable year to a College Savings Pool Account or the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Trust Fund, excluding amounts rolled over into the account (now, unlimited deductions authorized only for contributions to the College Savings Pool, excluding rollovers). Amends the State Treasurer Act, the Baccalaureate Savings Act, and the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Act to remove language providing that (i) contributions to the Bright Start Program; (ii) contributions toward the purchase of the first $25,000 of College Savings Bonds; and (iii) contributions toward the purchase of an Illinois Prepaid Tuition Contract, respectively, shall not be counted against the financial aid awarded by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the State, or any agency thereof. Effective immediately, except that the changes to the State Treasurer Act, the Baccalaureate Savings Act, and the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Act take effect on January 1, 2005.