Sen. Iris Y. Martinez

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging by providing that, beginning July 1, 2004, vendors of homemaker, chore, and housekeeping services shall receive a rate increase of $1.16 per hour if at least $0.86 of that increase is used to increase the wages of homemakers and chore housekeepers. Provides that vendors receiving this increase must submit proof to the Department, either (i) by a an audited supplemental to the Direct Service Workers cost report or (ii) by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement, that they have increased homemakers' and chore housekeepers' wages by $0.86 per hour. Effective on July 1, 2004.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "felony".

Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that a physician or a student undertaking a course of professional instruction or a clinical training program may not perform a pelvic examination on an anesthetized or unconscious female patient unless (1) the patient gave informed consent to the pelvic examination, (2) the performance of a pelvic examination is within the scope of care for the surgical procedure or diagnostic examination to be performed on the patient, or (3) in the case of an unconscious patient, the pelvic examination is required for diagnostic purposes.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the creation of the Property Tax Appeal Board.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act with respect to the earned income tax credit. Extends the 5% credit through taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2004 (now, ends with taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2002). Increases the credit from 5% of the federal credit to 10% in 2005, 15% in 2006, and 20% in 2007 and thereafter. Beginning in 2005, requires the excess credit to be refunded to the taxpayer, but not counted in determining eligibility for means-tested benefits. Deletes the repeal of the credit. Exempts the credit from the sunset provisions of the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the School Code. Provides that a school board may establish a child nutrition and physical activity advisory committee to develop and recommend to the school board policies to promote healthy eating and physical activity. Requires the Department of Public Health to establish and administer a program to provide grants to school districts that establish a committee and develop a plan for improving the school health environment. Effective September 1, 2004.

Creates the Grow Our Own Teachers Act. Provides for local consortia to establish teacher education programs to facilitate teacher recruitment and retention in low-income, hard-to-staff, public elementary and secondary schools or such schools with hard-to-staff positions. Provides for funding, transfer credit, assistance to students, and a task force. Provides for evaluations and reports to the General Assembly. Effective July 1, 2004.

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

Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Authorizes the Illinois Housing Development Authority to develop and implement a program of financial assistance to recently hired Illinois teachers purchasing their first primary residence. Limits the program to teachers employed by school districts defined by the State Board of Education as financially needy or experiencing a teacher shortage. Limits eligibility to public school teachers with no more than 2 years of employment as teachers who commit to teach in their school district for at least 3 years after their closing date. Effective July 1, 2003.