Sen. Barack Obama

Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Children's Health Insurance Program Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the legislative intent of the Act.

Creates the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Prescription Drug Discount Program Act. Provides that the Program shall be administered by the Department of Central Management Services to enable eligible senior citizens and disabled persons to purchase prescription drugs at discounted prices and that the Department shall (i) enroll eligible seniors and disabled persons into the Program, (ii) enter into rebate agreements with drug manufacturers, either itself or through an agent, and (iii) reimburse pharmacies for the cost of providing discounts using the proceeds from the manufacturer rebate agreements. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Prescription Drug Discount Program Fund into which rebate payments and enrollment fees shall be deposited. Provides for an initial transfer from the General Revenue Fund into the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Prescription Drug Discount Program Fund of $27,000,000 to be repaid to the General Revenue Fund out of rebate payments. Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department shall establish a Prescription Drug Purchasing Policy Office to determine and implement strategies for best price purchasing practices for State agencies that pay for prescription drugs by direct purchase or by other arrangements. Effective July 1, 2003.

Creates the Tax Expenditures Commission Act. Provides for the creation of the Tax Expenditures Commission composed of the Director of the Bureau of the Budget, the Director of Revenue, 2 members of the House of Representatives, 2 members of the Senate, and one member appointed by the Governor who shall serve as chairman. Provides that the Tax Expenditures Commission shall consider existing tax expenditures that reduce the tax revenue that would otherwise accrue to the State and make recommendations designed to reduce revenue loss or promote economic development or both, shall report its findings to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than December 31, 2003, and is abolished on July 1, 2004. Repeals the Act on July 1, 2004. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the purpose of the "Medicaid" Article.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code with respect to colorectal cancer examinations. Provides that insurance coverage must provide coverage for colorectal cancer examinations according to the most recently published guidelines of the American Cancer Society. Effective immediately.

Creates the Hospital Report Card Act. Provides requirements for staffing levels. Requires hospitals to prepare a quarterly report detailing specified information as a condition of licensure. Requires the Department of Public Health to submit a report summarizing the quarterly reports by region to the General Assembly and publish that report on its website. Provides protection for whistleblowers. Provides a private right of action to whistleblowers against their employers. Provides penalties for violations of the Act. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that violations of the Hospital Report Card Act are grounds for discipline under the Act.

Creates the Perinatal HIV Prevention Act. Provides that every health care provider in this State that provides prenatal care or labor or delivery services to a pregnant woman must ensure that the woman is provided with HIV counseling and is offered HIV testing. Requires that the counseling be provided and the testing be offered as early in the woman's pregnancy as possible. Sets forth required components of the counseling. Provides that the counseling and testing, and offers of testing, must be in accordance with the standards set forth in the AIDS Confidentiality Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Amends the Beer Industry Fair Dealing Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Removes language that terminates the earned income tax credit with taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2002. Exempts the credit from the sunset requirements. Effective immediately.