Sen. Christine Radogno

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 Illinois Pension Code. Imposes various ethics requirements and prohibitions, and certain criminal penalties, with respect to employees, board members, fiduciaries, investment advisers, and investment consultants of pension funds, retirement systems, and the Illinois State Board of Investment. Preempts home rule with respect to investment adviser and consultant contracts. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Disapproves the 2006 report of the Compensation Review Board.

Amends the Election Code. Requires that the State Board of Elections' searchable electronic database of campaign contribution reports must be searchable by employer and occupation of the contributor with respect to contributions for which that information is reported. Effective immediately.

Creates the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact Act. Provides that this State and the other contracting states solemnly agree to the terms of the compact, whose purposes include the promotion of development and implementation of improvements to intercity passenger rail service in the Midwest. Establishes a Commission, with 4 members from each contracting state, serving without compensation from the Commission, to carry out the purposes of the compact. Provides for the election of Commission officers, for meetings and Commission administration, and for financing of the operations of the Commission by the compacting states. Provides that the compact becomes effective among the contracting states upon the agreement of 3 eligible states to participate. Provides for the admission of additional states to the compact, amendment of the compact, the withdrawal, default, or termination of contracting states, and construction and severability of the compact.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates an accessible housing exemption. Provides that any component of residential property that is specifically designed and built for persons with disabilities in compliance with the accessibility guidelines and standards of the United States Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (the "Access Board"), the construction of which is commenced on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act is exempt from property taxes, if it meets all of the requirements for exemption. Exempts the components of new construction as well as new components installed in existing residential property that meet Access Board standards to the extent of the value added by the components. Provides that the exemption applies only if the owner of the property who applies for the exemption or a member of the applicant's household is disabled. Provides that if a component of residential property is not in compliance with the Access Board's standards but it is constructed to and it does meet the accessibility needs of the disabled person, then that component is eligible for the exemption. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement from the State. Effective immediately.

Creates the Accountable Schools Task Force to review and evaluate the complex issues involving the fiscal and performance accountability of the State's school districts and individual schools.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) program, provides that "disabled person", for purposes of qualifying for aid under the program, means a person who satisfies the disability standard used by the Social Security Administration (instead of a person age 18 or over who has a physical or mental impairment, disease, or loss which is of a permanent nature and which substantially impairs his ability to perform labor or services or to engage in useful occupations for which he is qualified, as determined by rule and regulation of the Department of Human Services). Sets forth procedures that the Department of Human Services must follow when it makes its own determinations of disability instead of accepting a determination made by the Social Security Administration. Provides that any division of the Department that provides or funds medical services that would be reimbursable under Medicaid may make disability determinations for purposes of determining eligibility for Medicaid, so long as the determinations are made using the rules, regulations, and other regulatory guidance materials that are relied upon by the Illinois Bureau of Disability Determination Services in the Department's Division of Rehabilitation Services in determining disability. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2007, a school bus may not be operated or used as a school bus within this State unless the school bus is equipped with a post-trip inspection reminder system that alerts the driver or attendant that a passenger remains on the bus and that prevents the driver or attendant from leaving the bus while the passenger remains on the bus. Provides that a school bus manufactured on or after January 1, 2006 may not be used as a school bus unless it is equipped with the reminder system. Provides that the provision does not apply to out-of-state school buses operating temporarily in Illinois for specified purposes. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall adopt rules for implementing the provision. Effective July 1, 2005.

Creates a Task Force to study special education funding. Directs the task force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2007. Provides that the task force shall be facilitated by the State Board of Education.