Sen. M. Maggie Crotty

Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning books and records.

Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to implement a 3-year pilot project in Will County or southern Cook County for the operation of 2 CILA homes for adolescents diagnosed with autism. Effective July 1, 2004.

Creates the Bill of Rights for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children Act. Provides that the General Assembly recognizes that it is essential for the educational and emotional growth of children who are deaf and hard of hearing to have early identification services, early intervention services, certain educational opportunities, full and equal access to all programs within the children's educational setting, deaf and hard of hearing role models, and external support and related services. Requires the local school to provide and make available unbiased information and resources concerning available programs, options, and services to parents and legal guardians. Requires the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission to carry out the intent of the Act and develop and disseminate information and resources to ensure implementation of the Act.

Appropriates $740,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for the operation of community integrated living arrangements for adolescents who have been diagnosed with autism. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Replaces provisions concerning the location of court hearings in relation to admission, transfer, and discharge of mentally ill persons; provides that hearings shall be held in the mental health facility where the respondent is hospitalized if the facility has the physical capacity to accommodate such a hearing. Provides for the transfer of a hearing to another court or location, but provides that the court may not grant the petitioner's request for a transfer if the respondent objects to the transfer. Provides that a respondent is not entitled to a jury on the question of whether authorized involuntary treatment may be administered. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the terms of fees and rents.

Amends the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning requisites for the rental or offer of a mobile home or lot.

Provides for the ratification of the proposed equal rights amendment to the United States Constitution.

Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that Illinois Identification Cards and Illinois Disabled Person Identification Cards (beginning January 1, 2004, instead of January 1, 2003) and Illinois driver's licenses issued to a person under the age of 21 must display the date upon which the person becomes 19 (instead of 18) years of age. Amends the Sale of Tobacco to Minors Act, the Smokeless Tobacco Limitation Act, and the Tobacco Accessories and Smoking Herbs Act. Changes the short title of the Sale of Tobacco to Minors Act to the Sale of Tobacco to Underage Persons Act, and changes the full titles of all 3 Acts. Changes references to "minors" to "persons under 19 years of age". Increases from 18 to 19 the age at which a person may lawfully buy cigarettes or other tobacco products, tobacco accessories, or smoking herbs. Effective January 1, 2004.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning teacher's benefits.