Sen. M. Maggie Crotty

Mourns the death of William A. "Bill" Williams of Richton Park.

Urges Congress to enact a drug benefit for senior citizens that is run by the Medicare program itself.

Amends the Podiatric Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that of the moneys deposited into the Illinois State Podiatric Disciplinary Fund, during each 2-year renewal period, $200,000 (rather than 15%) of the money received from the payment of renewal fees shall be used for certain scholarships, residency programs, and other expenses. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Richard F. Nogal of Orland Park.

Amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Nail Technology Act of 1985. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the inactive status of the license of a cosmetologist, cosmetology teacher, or cosmetology clinic teacher.

Creates the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Act. Requires that each of the following designate an African-American HIV/AIDS Response Officer, responsible for coordinating efforts to address the African-American AIDS crisis within his or her respective Office or Department and serving as a liaison to governmental and non-governmental entities: the Office of the Governor; the Department of Human Services; the Department of Public Health; and the Department of Corrections. Provides that a State agency that operates a facility that (i) is accessible to the public, (ii) is a high-traffic facility, and (iii) serves a high-risk community must provide the following in each such facility where space and security reasonably permit: space for free HIV counseling and antibody testing. Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois; provides that on its official Web site, the Department shall provide Web-friendly and printer-friendly versions of educational materials in connection with HIV and AIDS, targeted to persons presently or previously committed to the Department of Corrections or confined in a county jail, as well as family members and friends of such persons. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code; provides that certain prohibitions against eligibility for cash assistance under the Code for persons convicted of certain drug offenses do not apply to an individual who has tested positive for HIV; requires the Department of Public Aid to seek federal approval to expand access to health care under the Medicaid program for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections; requires the Department of Corrections to provide committed persons, their family members, and visitors with certain materials and services in connection with HIV/AIDS, including testing, counseling, and medical care. Amends the County Jail Act, and imposes similar requirements on sheriffs and wardens of county jails. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2006.

Creates the Mercury-Free Vaccine Act. Provides that a person who is knowingly pregnant or who is under 3 years of age shall not be vaccinated with a mercury-containing vaccine or injected with a mercury-containing product that contains more than 0.5 micrograms of mercury per 0.5 milliliter dose. Provides that a person who is knowingly pregnant or who is under 3 years of age shall not be vaccinated with a mercury-containing influenza vaccine that contains more than 1.0 microgram of mercury per 0.5 milliliter dose. Provides an exemption for the use of mercury-containing vaccines if the Department of Public Health finds that an actual or potential bio-terrorist incident or other actual or potential public health emergency, including an epidemic or shortage of supply of a vaccine that would prevent children under 3 years of age and knowingly pregnant women from receiving the needed vaccine, makes necessary the administration of a vaccine containing more mercury than the maximum level.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a teacher who (i) has been receiving a disability, occupational disability, or disability retirement benefit for at least one year and (ii) remains unable to resume regular full-time teaching due to disability, but is able to engage in limited or part-time employment as a teacher, may engage in such limited or part-time employment as a teacher without loss of the disability, occupational disability, or disability retirement benefit, provided that the teacher's earnings for that limited or part-time employment, when added to the amount of the benefit, do not exceed 100% of the salary rate upon which the benefit is based. Effective immediately.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to extend the repeal of the Respiratory Care Practice Act to January 1, 2016. Amends the Respiratory Care Practice Act. Replaces the definition of "respiratory care" and "cardiorespiratory care". Eliminates certain exemptions concerning the activities of unlicensed persons who do not represent themselves as respiratory care practitioners, qualified members of other professional groups, and organizations or institutions that provide respiratory care. Adds exemptions concerning (i) polysomnographic technologists, technicians, and trainees and (ii) family members providing respiratory care services. Provides that no person shall, without a valid license, (i) hold himself or herself out to the public as a respiratory care practitioner; (ii) use the title "respiratory care practitioner"; or (iii) perform the duties of a respiratory care practitioner, except as provided in the Section of the Act concerning exemptions. Provides that beginning 6 months after December 31, 2005, all individuals who provide satisfactory evidence to the Department of 3 years of experience in the practice of respiratory care during the 5 years immediately preceding December 31, 2005 shall be issued a license. Effective December 31, 2005.

Amends the Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act. Provides that a home rule unit of local government or any municipality in this State may regulate smoking in public places. Provides that this regulation must be no less restrictive than the regulation in the Act. Changes the home rule limitation from an absolute preemption to a limitation on the concurrent exercise of home rule power. Maintains the exemption from home rule requirements for home rule units that passed ordinances regulating smoking before October 1, 1989. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers.