Amends the Property Tax Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the creation of the Property Tax Appeal Board.
Creates the Commonsense Consumption Act. Exempts a manufacturer, packer, distributor, carrier, holder, seller, marketer, or advertiser of a food product from civil liability for any claim arising out of weight gain, obesity, or other generally known condition allegedly likely to result from long-term consumption of the food product. Provides exceptions to the exemption. Sets out pleading requirements for claims filed under the exceptions.
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the Supreme Court shall establish a Lengthy Trial Fund that shall be used to provide full wage replacement or wage supplementation to jurors who serve on petit juries in civil litigation, for which a jury trial has been requested, after the 10th day of jury service. Provides that payment shall be limited to the actual amount of wages a juror earns, up to $500 per day, minus any amount the juror actually receives from the employer during the same time period. Provides that each trial court shall collect from each attorney who files a civil case, other than an attorney exempted from payment, a fee of $20 per case to be paid into the Lengthy Trial Fund. Amends the Jury Act. Provides that service of prospective petit jurors shall be for no more than one court day in actual attendance. Provides that an individual may apply to be excused from jury service for a period of up to 24 months, instead of seeking a postponement when either: (1) the prospective juror has a mental or physical condition that causes him or her to be incapable of performing jury service or (2) jury service would otherwise cause "undue or extreme physical or financial hardship" to the prospective juror or a person under his or her care or supervision. Establishes procedures for verifying information that would justify granting excuse from jury service. Makes failure to appear for jury service a Class A misdemeanor rather than contempt of court. Effective July 1, 2003.
Amends the Election Code. Changes the date of the county convention from the second Monday after the general primary election to the 28th day after the general primary election.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to add a provision concerning a certified private equity investment credit. Contains a caption only.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning child care for TANF recipients, provides that beginning July 1, 2004, the rates paid by the Department of Human Services to all providers of child care services who are licensed under the Child Care Act of 1969 shall be increased by an amount equal to 2% of the rates in effect on June 30, 2004. Effective July 1, 2004.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to add a provision concerning the transfer of the research and development credit. Contains a caption only.
Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides for the decertification of a police officer who was the subject of an administrative proceeding of a law enforcement agency employing the officer and was determined to knowingly have committed perjury in a criminal proceeding. Amends the Counties Code. Permits the Public Defender to act as an attorney for an indigent person, without fee and appointment by the court, who is in custody during the person's interrogation regarding first degree murder for which the death penalty may be imposed and the person has requested advice of counsel. Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Eliminates various aggravating factors for which the death penalty may be imposed. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that a defendant charged with first degree murder may make a motion prior to trial to preclude the imposition of the death penalty because the defendant is mentally retarded. Provides that, in pilot areas of the State selected by the Director of State Police, when a statement of the defendant made during a custodial interrogation is to be offered as evidence at trial for first degree murder for which the death penalty may be imposed, without an electronic audio and video recording of the interrogation and statement, the court must conduct a hearing on the admissibility of the statement. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a person who is mentally retarded is unfit to be executed. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides for an increase in the rates paid to every vendor of goods or services under the Medicaid program so that those rates are equal to the rates paid to such vendors under Medicare. Provides for implementation of the rate increase over a 3-year period. Effective immediately.
Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailer's Occupation Tax Act. Provides that 0.4% of the net revenues realized for the preceding month from the State's portion of the general rate of tax imposed under the Acts shall be paid by the Department of Revenue into the Local Government Distributive Fund (reverting to the distribution in place prior to State fiscal year 2003). Effective July 1, 2003.
