Sen. Debbie DeFrancesco Halvorson

Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Requires a hospital's discharge planner to provide the patient with information to enable the patient to contact the Department on Aging's case coordination unit. Requires that hospital procedures in connection with giving a discharge notice include prohibitions against discharges or referrals to unlicensed, uncertified, or unregistered facilities or service providers that are required to be licensed, certified, or registered. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that during the 2006 fiscal year, the Department of Public Aid must begin an initiative to prevent and treat pediatric asthma. Provides that under the initiative, the Department must contract with health care providers for programs for the prevention and treatment of pediatric asthma through physician and patient education and case management. Requires implementation in the county or counties that have the highest volume or highest rate, compared to national averages, of hospitalization or mortality, or both, from pediatric asthma; requires that, at a minimum, a grant or grants be made each year in counties exceeding 3,000,000 in population. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that property up to an assessed value of $70,000 (now,$58,000), owned and used exclusively by a disabled veteran, or the spouse or unmarried surviving spouse of the veteran, as a home, is exempt. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning proposal of regulations.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Creates the Community Care Program Advisory Committee in the Department on Aging to advise the Department on issues related to the Department's programs of service to prevent unnecessary institutionalization. Sets forth the terms and conditions of membership on the Committee. Provides that Committee reports and recommendations are advisory only. Effective July 1, 2005.

Amends the Grain Code. Authorizes the use of warehouse receipts in electronic form. Provides that electronic receipts are as valid and enforceable as paper receipts. Provides that references in the Code to written or printed receipts include electronic receipts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Repeals a provision that repeals the Act on July 1, 2007.

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

Amends the Illinois Finance Authority Act. Provides for the continuation and re-enactment of the fire truck revolving loan program, formerly administered under the Rural Bond Bank Act (now repealed). Provides for joint administration of the program by the Illinois Finance Authority and the State Fire Marshal. Validates loans made and actions taken under the original enactment after its repeal. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that in determining the appropriate sentence for any conviction under the Act, the sentencing court may consider the possession, delivery, or manufacture of controlled substances or cannabis in the presence of a child under 17 years of age.