Sen. Dave Syverson

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "railroad track equipment" as all vehicles operated upon rails for the purpose of the maintenance of railroads including, but not limited to, all hi-rail vehicles and on-track roadway maintenance machines. In provisions concerning approaching trains, provides that approaching railroad track equipment shall be treated the same as approaching trains.

Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Provides that the information packet given to a relinquishing parent in accordance with the Act shall not exceed 5 pages and shall include, in addition to other required information, a one-page brochure (self-mailer) that describes the Safe Haven Law; a one-page brochure (self-mailer) that describes the Illinois Adoption Registry; and a one-page brochure describing health information for the mother and how she can get medical care if she needs it. Requires the information packet to be designed in coordination between the Office of Vital Records and the Department of Children and Family Services. Requires the Office of Vital Records to continue to maintain and distribute the information packet, and to hold on file all foundling records of relinquished newborns. Effective immediately.

Creates the Lupus Education and Awareness Act. Establishes the Lupus Education and Awareness Program within the Department of Public Health. Provides that the Program shall raise public awareness, educate consumers, and educate and train health professionals, human service providers, and other audiences. Sets forth the responsibilities of the Director of the Department of Public Health concerning the Program. Provides that the Department shall establish and coordinate the Interagency and Partnership Advisory Panel on Lupus. Sets forth the membership guidelines and duties of the Panel. Provides that subject to the availability of funds, the Department may make expenditures of up to $2,500 for the fiscal year 2010 for use toward providing educational materials to clinics.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2010, the Department shall annually, instead of monthly, issue a health card to individuals suffering from a permanent physical disability. Defines "permanent physical disability" to mean a permanent physical impairment, resulting from disease, injury, functional disorder, or congenital condition which renders a person incapable of adequately providing for his or her own health and personal care. Effective July 1, 2010.

Amends the Prevention of Unnecessary Institutionalization Act. Repeals a provision requiring the Department on Aging and the Department of Human Services to jointly establish an Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Unnecessary Institutionalization Program. Amends the Community Senior Services and Resources Act. Repeals provisions establishing the Community Senior Services and Resource Center Advisory Committee and deletes corresponding references to the Committee. Amends the Family Caregiver Act. Repeals provisions requiring the Department on Aging to seek federal funding for the establishment and assessment of a Family Caregiver Training and Support Demonstration Project. Effective immediately.

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the Illinois Act on the Aging. Deletes all references to the Coordinating Committee of State Agencies Serving Older Persons and repeals provisions concerning the Committee. Repeals provisions concerning the Older Adult Volunteer Demonstration Program and the Senior Benefits Advocacy Program. Requires the Department on Aging to give persons no longer found eligible for noninstitutional services under the Community Care Program, 30 (rather than 60) days notice prior to actual termination during which they may appeal. Removes certain reporting deadlines. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. In provisions limiting locations of inter-track wagering location facilities, specifies that the schools that the facilities may not be located near are elementary or secondary public or private schools recognized by the State Board of Education. Effective immediately.

Amends the Loan Repayment Assistance for Dentists Act. Provides that the term "dental payments" includes compensation for services rendered under the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act and the Children's Health Insurance Program Act. Provides that assistance under the educational loan repayment assistance program shall commence once the dentist or dental specialist begins (i) practicing in a designated shortage area and (ii) accepting dental payments. Prohibits the Department of Public Health from setting a minimum amount of dental payments as a condition of eligibility for assistance. Provides that an applicant for assistance must commit to (instead of continue) full-time practice in a designated shortage area for a minimum of 2 years (instead of for 2 years). Provides that the total amount in grants that a person may be awarded must not exceed $25,000 per year for each year of eligibility (instead of for a 4-year period). Prohibits a person from receiving grants for more than 4 years. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department shall select a division chief of dental health who shall be a dentist licensed in the United States or Canada (instead of licensed under the Illinois Dental Practice Act). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that, in a proceeding in which a qualified domestic relations order or Qualified Illinois Domestic Relations Order is entered, a final judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation or judgment declaring the invalidity of a marriage may not be entered until the court receives proof that the qualified domestic relations order or Qualified Illinois Domestic Relations Order has been properly filed with the appropriate employer or retirement system. Effective January 1, 2009.