Sen. Mattie Hunter

Creates the Illinois Commission on the 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education.

Mourns the death of Mrs. Mary Louise Albey McDowell.

Mourns the death of Rebecca Taylor of Chicago.

Creates the Mercury Fever Thermometer Prohibition Act. Sets forth legislative findings. Provides that (1) on or after July 1, 2004, no person shall sell, distribute, or give for promotional purposes (including online retail) mercury fever thermometers in this State and (2) on or after July 1, 2004, no hospital shall distribute mercury fever thermometers in maternity or new baby gift packs to patients. Provides that these prohibitions do not apply to mercury fever thermometers sold or provided to be used in a health care facility. Provides that on or after July 1, 2004, no person shall manufacture a mercury fever thermometer in this State. Provides that a person who violates the Act is guilty of a petty offense and upon conviction is subject to a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $200 for each violation.

Creates the Illinois Housing Initiative Act of 2003. Requires that a task force, composed of all key State agencies with functions related to housing and other experts in housing, develop an annual comprehensive housing plan that prioritizes the development of a range of permanent housing for certain underserved populations, including low-income and homeless persons. Creates the Illinois Housing Initiative, to be in effect through December 31, 2008, to coordinate and streamline the allocation of available housing resources to make it possible to prioritize the development of housing for underserved populations in accordance with the annual comprehensive housing plan. Provides for funding for housing construction and rehabilitation and supportive services. Requires every municipality to create a local housing development plan.

Mourns the death of Katherine Viola Bell of Chicago.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a person subject to conditions of probation, parole, or mandatory supervised release who seeks transfer to another state subject to the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision must make provisions for the payment of any restitution awarded by the circuit court and must pay a fee of $125 to the proper administrative or judicial authorities before being granted the transfer or otherwise arrange for the payment. Provides that the fees shall be used to defray the cost of the Department of Corrections or county sheriffs' departments who will be required to retrieve offenders who violated the terms of their transfers to other states. Provides that the offenders shall be responsible for reimbursing the State or county for the actual costs of their return to Illinois.

Amends the State Housing Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the name of a housing corporation.

Creates the Victims of Domestic Violence Employment Leave Act. Provides that specified employers may not discharge or discriminate against an employee for taking time off from work to seek relief as a victim of domestic violence. Also prohibits those employers from discharging, discriminating, or retaliating against an employee who is a victim of domestic violence for taking time off from work to seek medical attention or counseling for injuries or psychological trauma caused by domestic violence. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Removes a deadline for obtaining U.S. citizenship from provisions concerning requirements for a teaching certificate. In provisions concerning certificates for equivalent qualifications in other jurisdictions, adds that, as an alternative to U.S. citizenship, the applicant may be legally present and authorized for employment.