Sen. Kimberly Lightford

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code and the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall establish a pilot program to place hard-to-employ persons, including persons who have been released from a county jail or a facility under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections, in jobs. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall establish a pilot program in 2 locations in the State (one of which must be in the Lawndale community of Chicago) to place persons discharged from a Department facility on parole or mandatory supervised release in jobs or otherwise establish a connection between such persons and the workforce. Authorizes the 2 departments to consult with each other. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Identification Act and the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that if a conviction or sentence has been set aside on direct review or on collateral attack and the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant was factually innocent of the charge, then the court shall enter an order expunging the record of arrest from the official records of the arresting authority and order that the records of the clerk of the circuit court and Department of State Police be sealed until further order of the court upon good cause shown and the name of the defendant obliterated from the official index kept by the circuit clerk. Amends the State Appellate Defender Act. Provides that the State Appellate Defender shall establish, maintain, and carry out an Expungement Program to provide information and assistance to persons eligible to have their arrest or criminal history record information ordered expunged, sealed, or impounded. Provides that the State Appellate Defender shall develop brochures, pamphlets, and other materials in printed form and through the agency's World Wide Web site that include at a minimum the following information: (1) an explanation of the State's expungement process; (2) the circumstances under which expungements may occur; (3) the criminal offenses that may be expunged; (4) the steps necessary to initiate and complete the expungement process; and (5) directions on how to contact the State Appellate Defender. Provides that the State Appellate Defender shall establish and maintain a statewide toll-free telephone number that a person may use to receive information or assistance concerning the expungement or sealing of arrest or criminal history record information. Provides that the State Appellate Defender shall compile a statewide list of volunteer attorneys willing to assist eligible individuals through the expungement process. Provides that the Program shall be implemented from funds appropriated to the State Appellate Defender for this purpose. Effective immediately.

Amends the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the powers and duties of the Department of Human Services.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Requires coverages under those Acts to include benefits for outpatient prescription contraceptive drugs and devices and outpatient contraceptive services.

Amends the School Code. Creates the Mathematics and Science Block Grant Program in order to provide greater flexibility and efficiency in the distribution and use of State funds and ensure that students meet or exceed Illinois Learning Standards in mathematics and science. Provides that the program is to be administered by the State Board of Education, which is to award program funds to eligible recipients from available appropriations. Specifies the manner in which program funds may be used by the local education agencies receiving those funds. Adds other related provisions. Effective July 1, 2003.

Urges the United States Congress and the Administration to strongly support proposals for funding of the Central Cook-DuPage multi-modal corridor projects and the Oak Park Cap highway project.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of the public universities in Illinois. For tuition purposes, requires an individual who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States to be classified as an Illinois resident if the individual graduated from a high school in this State, among other conditions. Provides that certain aliens must be given the same privilege of qualifying for resident status for tuition and fee purposes as a citizen of the United States. Provides that an individual who was formerly a resident of this State is entitled to pay tuition at the rate provided for Illinois residents if the parent with whom the individual does not primarily reside continues to reside in this State, among other conditions. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Pastor Alfred Windom of Chicago.

Mourns the death of Lallie Stoddard.

Mourns the death of Leonard Mitchell Sr.