Sen. Kimberly Lightford

Amends the Wrongful Death Act. Provides that the jury may award damages for grief, sorrow, and mental suffering to the surviving spouse and next of kin of the deceased. Provides that any amount reduced from a contributorily negligent beneficiary's share of damages shall be distributed to the other beneficiaries in proportion to their respective degrees of dependency. Deletes language regarding limitations on the amount of damages. Applies to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Mozell Shavers of Chicago.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning special education classes for children from orphanages, foster family homes, children's homes, or State housing units. Effective immediately.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. For his or her first year of full-time attendance at an institution of higher learning, provides that a person is entitled to a $1,000 grant if he or she (i) is in the legal custody of his or her grandparent and receives public aid assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code, (ii) has graduated from high school with a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and (iii) has been recommended for the grant by the principal of his or her high school.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the establishment of an impartial due process hearing system. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after July 1, 2006, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse providers of home health services under the Medicaid program using a phased-in rate increase as follows: (1) for services provided from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007, the rate shall be $70 per visit; and (2) for services provided on or after July 1, 2007, the rate shall be $80 per visit. Provides that these rate increases apply to skilled nursing visits, physical therapy visits, occupational therapy visits, and speech therapy visits. Provides that the rate for home health aide visits shall be $61.34 for all such services provided on or after July 1, 2006. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Construction Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning carry over projects.

Amends the School Code with regard to the Chicago school district. Provides that teacher seniority shall be based on employment within the school district, not employment at a particular attendance center. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Amends the Energy Assistance Act. Provides that no later than August 1 of each year, the Director of Revenue shall calculate the total amount of tax paid pursuant to the Gas Revenue Tax Act by persons eligible to receive assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program during the 12-month period ending the previous June 30 and the total amount of Energy Assistance Charges paid by such persons during that same period. Provides that no later than September 1 of each year, the Director of Revenue shall cause an amount equal to the amount calculated under the foregoing provision in that year to be transferred from GRF to the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund.