Sen. M. Maggie Crotty

Amends the School Code. Deletes a provision applicable to school districts with a population of less than 500,000 requiring that permanent interfund transfers not otherwise authorized by law must be made to the fund of the school district most in need of the funds being transferred. Allows school districts to increase, abate, maintain, abolish, and re-create working cash funds. Provides that moneys in the working cash fund may be used by the school board for any and all school purposes. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act to provide that no insurance carrier may charge a copayment or deductible for any prescription or device that is prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis. Contains a nonacceleration clause. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act and the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act, the Department of Human Services shall have the sole and exclusive authority to establish rates for residential services provided to children and adolescents with a developmental disability as defined in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Prompt Payment Act. Defines "qualified provider" as (i) an organization that provides non-residential services for the elderly or for the prevention, intervention, or treatment of mental illness, developmental disabilities, or alcoholism or substance abuse or (ii) an entity licensed under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act; but does not include a licensed hospital. Provides that a properly prepared voucher request to the Office of the Comptroller for payment to a qualified provider shall be given priority by the Comptroller for processing and warrant issuance after debt service obligations and payroll obligations of the State have been met unless the Comptroller deems that other obligations of the State must be satisfied prior to these categories of payment. Provides that, if at any time the Comptroller determines that there are insufficient funds available to process priority payments, then vouchers shall be processed and paid out in a first-in, first-out manner as corresponding funds become available. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, beginning in taxable year 2010, an income tax credit is allowed for a taxpayer who is a nursing professor at a public institution of higher education during a taxable year. Specifies the amount of the tax credit. Defines "nursing professor" and "public institution of higher education". Provides that any excess credit shall be refunded to the taxpayer. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning cancellation of licenses and permits.

Creates the Nurse Educator Student Loan Forgiveness Act. Creates the Nurse Educator Student Loan Forgiveness Program to be administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Provides that the Program shall provide loan assistance, subject to appropriation, to eligible students for graduate study. Specifies the maximum loan time period and maximum loan amount. Specifies the requirements for eligibility under the Program. Contains provisions concerning repayment schedules, credits, and penalties for non-compliance with the Program's requirements. Effective July 1, 2010.

Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code. Replaces language regarding the use of driver services facilities as temporary places of voter registration with language providing that: applicants for driver's licenses and State identification cards at driver services facilities shall be asked if they wish to apply to register to vote; it is the responsibility of an applicant to determine whether he or she is legally eligible to vote; applicants who apply to register to vote shall complete a voter registration application which the Secretary of State shall forward to the appropriate local election authority; applicants who do not wish to apply to register to vote shall sign a declination statement; and the Secretary of State shall maintain a database of all persons who complete voter registration applications at driver services facilities.

Amends the Community Services Act. Adds provider agreements to the list of funding mechanisms the Department of Human Services shall utilize for community services provided to persons suffering from mental illness, a developmental disability, or alcohol and drug dependency. Provides that purchase-of-care contracts, provider agreements, and grants shall be increased by a percentage increase equivalent to the lesser of (i) the increase in the designated cost of living index or (ii) 3%, and that the increase shall be added to the previous year purchase-of-care contract or grant amount, and the adjusted amount so determined shall be the annual amount beginning July 1st of the increase year until July 1 of the next year. Effective July 1, 2011.

Amends the Election Code. Eliminates or changes various duties of election authorities and election judges and officials with respect to: applications and hearings for cancelation or restoration of voter registrations; voter registration reports from boards of registry and election judges; registrations of deceased voters; affidavits by election-day voters issued absentee ballots; verification of an in-person absentee voter's identity (now, signature); in-precinct processing and counting of ballots, including the handling of ballots illegally inserted into ballot boxes; and the processing and counting of early and absentee ballots. Makes other changes.