Sen. M. Maggie Crotty

Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "taxing district".

Proposes to amend the Education Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that beginning on January 1 of the year following adoption of the constitutional amendment, a surtax on or measured by income at a rate of 3% shall be levied annually on that portion of the income of individuals that exceeds $250,000. Provides that all receipts shall be deposited into the Education and Permanent Property Tax Relief Trust Fund. Provides that on July 1 of each year, 50% of the public funds in the Trust Fund shall be distributed in equal amounts to every taxpayer who is an owner-occupier of residential real property in the State and the other 50% shall be distributed equally on a per student basis to improve education in public schools through the secondary level. Effective upon being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act.

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 School Code. Provides that a School Service Personnel Certificate with a speech-language pathologist endorsement shall be issued to a speech-language pathologist who meets specified criteria. Amends the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Provides that a person who has made application to the Department for a license to practice speech-language pathology or audiology may practice without a license pending disposition of the license application by the Department if specified criteria are met. Provides that a person who undertakes supervised professional experience as a speech-language pathologist must obtain a temporary license from the Department. Effective immediately.

Urges the Department of Human Services to keep the Tinley Park Mental Health Center open unless a new DHS-operated inpatient mental health center is opened in the Chicago "Southland" region.

Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act and the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to transfer from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act to the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law language authorizing the Department of Public Health to assist communities and regions throughout the State to establish areawide health planning organizations. Amends the Health Care Worker Self-Referral Act to provide that, on and after the effective date of this amendatory Act, "Board" means the Illinois Department of Public Health (now, the Health Facilities Planning Board) and further amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act to repeal the provision giving rule-making authority for the Health Care Worker Self-Referral Act to the Health Facilities Planning Board. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Income Withholding for Support Act, and the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984. Provides that if there is an unpaid arrearage or delinquency equal to at least one month's support obligation on the termination date stated in the order for support or, if there is no termination date stated in the order, on the date the child attains the age of majority or is otherwise emancipated, then the periodic amount required to be paid for current support of that child immediately prior to that date shall automatically continue to be an obligation, not as current support but as periodic payment toward satisfaction of the unpaid arrearage or delinquency. Provides that the periodic payment shall be in addition to any periodic payment previously required for satisfaction of the arrearage or delinquency. Provides that each order for support entered or modified on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act must contain a statement notifying the parties of these requirements. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a speech-language pathologist who provides speech-language pathology services pursuant to a contract may hold a valid temporary license under the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act as an alternative to holding a speech-language pathology license. Adds a reference to the Section concerning obtaining a temporary license under the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act to provisions concerning speech-language pathologists. Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Extends to Janurary 1, 2005 the period until which a person holding a bachelor's level degree in communication disorders who was employed to assist a speech-language pathologist on a specified date shall be eligible to receive a license as a speech-language pathology assistant without meeting all of the regular licensure criteria. Provides that, on and after July 1, 2005 (rather than January 1, 2004), a person who intends to undertake supervised professional experience as a speech-language pathologist must first obtain a temporary license from the Department of Professional Regulation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Provides that, in mobile home parks located in a county with a population of more than 3,000,000 or in a county with a population of more than 250,000 that is contiguous to a county with a population of more than 3,000,000: rent may not be increased by more than the consumer price index for a tenant who is between the ages of 65 and 69 and who is renting the same lot as the preceding year; and rent may not be increased for a tenant who is 70 years of age or older and who is renting the same lot as the preceding year. Provides for penalties for violation. 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.