Sen. Mattie Hunter

Mourns the death of Dr. Terra L. Thomas of Chicago.

Mourns the death of Alden Blume of Wyoming, Michigan.

Mourns the death of Isaiah Hudson.

Mourns the death of Nia Thomas of Chicago.

Amends the Community Services Act. Changes references from "disabled person" to "person with a disability". Provides that a shift from State-provided services to community services should be acknowledged by the State as a clear priority in policies and funding that values community services and supports for persons who choose to live and work in those settings, with the needed resources following the individual. Requires the Governor to appoint a commission by July 1, 2007, or as soon thereafter as possible, to prioritize a strategy for identifying a stream of revenue to address gaps and prioritize use of that revenue on rates and reimbursements for community services and supports. Provides that the commission shall have representation from the Department of Human Services, the General Assembly, persons with disabilities and mental illness, community providers, and trade associations. Provides that the rate and reimbursement methodologies must reflect the cost of providing services and supports, recognize individual disability needs, and consider geographic differences, transportation costs, required staffing ratios, and mandates not currently funded. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Steve Williams.

Creates the Illinois Health Information Network Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to establish a not for profit corporation to plan the creation of a state-level network for the electronic exchange of medical patients' records among health care providers. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Dorothy Mae Williams of Chicago.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that the program of services established by the Department for the purpose of preventing unnecessary institutionalization shall be known as the Community Care Program. Requires certain services to be included in the Program, and authorizes the Department to include other services. Provides that participants may choose among the preventative services provided. Provides that the Department shall report the number of participants in the Community Care Program who receive medical assistance. Provides that the Department shall ensure that all eligible participants receive the number of hours they need up to the monthly service cost maximum, that all services are available to Community Care Program participants on evenings and weekends, and that participants have the right to choose how the hours of service are designated. Provides that the Program shall include personal assistant services. Contains other provisions. Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that 90 days of early release from parole shall be awarded to any parolee who passes the high school level Test of General Educational Development (GED) while the parolee is on parole. Provides that the early release from parole awarded shall be in addition to, and shall not be affected by, the award of good conduct under any other provision, but shall not be pursuant to the guidelines and restrictions set forth for prisoners engaged in full-time educational programs provided by the Department of Corrections. Provides that the early release from parole shall be available only to parolees who have not yet previously earned a high school diploma or a GED.