Sen. Terry Link

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that if the Department of Children and Family Services contracts with a private child welfare agency to provide child welfare services or to provide the arrangement of child welfare services, then the private child welfare agency and its employees shall not, as a result of their acts or omissions, be liable for civil damages, unless the acts or omissions constitute willful and wanton misconduct.

Amends the Service Occupation Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning rules.

Amends the Illinois Banking Act. Provides that a state bank may acquire or hold shares of its own securities as authorized by the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning energy conservation.

Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. Provides that changes of ownership, mergers, and consolidations of health care facilities require a permit from the Health Facilities Planning Board and sets forth requirements for the permit application. Sets forth conditions that require a public hearing for a permit application and requires that the notice of the public hearing be published in a newspaper for 3 consecutive days. Provides that the Attorney General may evaluate certain transactions by health care facilities and sets forth requirements for notifying the Attorney General of the transactions. Provides that the Attorney General may require reimbursement for evaluating the transactions. Makes other changes.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides for an exception to provisions that prohibit law enforcing public officials from having a direct interest in the manufacture, sale, or distribution of alcoholic liquor when the premises are not licensed by the jurisdiction of the official (now, not located in the territory subject to the jurisdiction of the official). Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the State Finance Act, and the General Obligation Bond Act. Requires the Department to establish the Build Illinois Transit Program for the construction and acquisition of property and equipment for new mass transportation facilities and new or expanded mass transportation service by the State, a public or private entity, or 2 or more of these entities. Provides that the Department may (i) enter into contracts for new mass transportation facilities and new or expanded mass transportation service and (ii) make grants to units of local government and mass transit carriers. Lists specific projects to be funded and the specific funding amounts for fiscal years 2004 through 2008. Creates special funds within the State treasury for these purposes and to provide supplemental operating funds to entities authorized to provide and promote public transportation within the State for new or expanded mass transportation service and facilities created under the Build Illinois Transit Program. Increases by $5,550,000,000 the State's general bond authorization for mass transportation facilities under the Build Illinois Transit Program. Requires transfers from the General Revenue Fund to one of the newly-created special funds for the payment of the principal and interest on the bonds. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the Cigarette Tax Act. Provides that an equity assessment, in the amount of 25 mills per cigarette, is imposed on each package of nonparticipating-manufacturer cigarettes to which a person affixes a stamp or imprint as required under existing law. Provides that a "nonparticipating manufacturer" is a tobacco manufacturer that is not participating in the master settlement agreement entered into with respect to certain tobacco-related litigation. Sets forth payment procedures and penalties for violations. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act. Makes a technical change concerning the sale of a leased or rented motor vehicle. Amends the Service Use Tax Act. Makes a technical change concerning stating the tax as a distinct item. Amends the Service Occupation Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning taxes collected by a supplier. Amends the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the bonding requirement.