Sen. Susan Garrett

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.

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Allows the distribution of a portion of the tax increment funds to library districts in the redevelopment project area that meet certain criteria.

Amends the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act. Provides that in the case of an audit, if no violations are found, the Department shall provide the taxpayer a closing letter acknowledging this and thanking the taxpayer for his, her, or its cooperation. Provides that if there are changes, the auditor is required to provide in writing to the taxpayer the audit findings, as well as audit methods and procedures, recommended changes in record-keeping practices, and an explanation of the proper interpretation of the tax law in areas where errors were made. Provides that no audit shall be deemed complete without this paperwork and the signatures of both the auditor and taxpayer.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that no person shall sell or issue a gift certificate that is subject to an expiration date. Provides that no gift certificate or any agreement with respect to the gift certificate may contain language suggesting that an expiration date may apply. Provides that fees and penalties shall not be imposed for inactivity with respect to a gift certificate. Provides that any person who sells a gift certificate subject to an expiration date shall be fined not more than $500 per occurrence. Defines gift certificate.

Creates the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Act. Establishes an Energy Efficient Commercial Building Code that applies to commercial buildings in this State. Provides for technical assistance to certain design professions to explain the requirements of the Code. Preempts home rule powers. Effective one year after becoming law.

Creates the Safe Bottled Water Act and amends the State Finance Act. Requires that water-bottling plant and private water source operators obtain a license from the Department of Public Health, and imposes a license fee of $150. Imposes an additional fee of $50 for late submission of applications for licensure. Imposes like fees for the registration of out-of-state water-bottling plants. Prescribes minimum standards for various activities in connection with bottled water or vended water. Preempts the exercise of home rule powers in connection with the licensing of activities relating to bottled water. Authorizes the Department to conduct inspections and undertake other activities in connection with administering the Act, and makes it a Class A misdemeanor to interfere with a representative of the Department who is conducting an inspection or other authorized activity. Makes other violations of the Act a petty offense. Creates the Safe Bottled Water Fund, to consist of moneys paid to the Department of Public Health under the Safe Bottled Water Act and to be used by the Department for administering the Act. Effective January 1, 2005.

Amends the School Code. Creates a K-3 class size reduction grant program to be implemented and administered by the State Board of Education. Provides that only those schools that are on the early academic warning list or academic watch list and that maintain grades K-3 are grant eligible. Limits use of the grant funds to operating and maintaining classes in grades K-3 with a class size of no more than 20 pupils. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall include, in the annual service needs report regarding autism submitted to the General Assembly, a plan to provide family support mechanisms to enable persons with autism to remain in a family home environment. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Extends Medicaid eligibility for continued home-based skilled or intermediate care to persons age 21 or older (under current law, eligibility is limited to persons under age 21). Requires an annual determination of need for that level of care and requires the Department of Human Services to make an annual report concerning services provided and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the township or multi-township assessors in counties with 500,000 or more but no more than 700,000 inhabitants shall, on or before October 15 of the assessment year, return the assessment books or workbooks to the supervisor of assessments (now, counties with less than 600,000 inhabitants must return the books on or before April 15). Effective January 1, 2005.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning eligibility for the AABD program, provides eligibility for persons who have been found ineligible for SSI due to expiration of the period of eligibility for refugees and asylees pursuant to federal law. Effective immediately.