Creates the Methamphetamine Task Force to recommend legislation to the Governor and General Assembly on curbing the illegal production and distribution of methamphetamine. Provides that the Task Force shall make its recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly one year after the members of the Task Force have been appointed.
Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows purchase up to 5 (rather than 2) years of service credit for time spent on active duty in the armed forces before becoming a participant, and reduces the required contribution for that credit. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that certain large vehicles have access from any designated (rather than any State designated) highway onto any highway for the necessary distance (rather than for 5 highway miles) for purposes of loading or unloading. Provides that these vehicles have access from any designated (rather than any State designated highway onto any State, county, or township highway for the necessary distance (rather than for 5 highway miles for the purpose of food, fuel, repairs, and rest.
Makes appropriations to Western Illinois University for various purposes. Effective July 1, 2003.
Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging by providing that, beginning July 1, 2004, vendors of homemaker, chore, and housekeeping services shall receive a rate increase of $1.16 per hour if at least $0.86 of that increase is used to increase the wages of homemakers and chore housekeepers. Provides that vendors receiving this increase must submit proof to the Department, either (i) by a an audited supplemental to the Direct Service Workers cost report or (ii) by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement, that they have increased homemakers' and chore housekeepers' wages by $0.86 per hour. Effective on July 1, 2004.
Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department to establish and administer a nursing workforce database. Provides that the objective of establishing the database shall be the collection and analysis of data that is related to nursing and to the nursing workforce, so that conclusions may be drawn relating to current nursing supply, demand, and workforce concerns in the State and to future workforce projections and needs. Sets forth the information that must be contained in the database. Provides that no later than January 15, 2005, the Department shall submit a report to the Governor and members of the General Assembly regarding the development of the database and the effectiveness of its use.
Amends the General Assembly Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the total retirement annuity, including any automatic, one-time, or other increases in that annuity, shall not ever exceed 100% of the participant's highest salary for annuity purposes. Applies only to a person who first becomes a participant on or after the effective date. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning charter schools.
Creates the Rural Technology Enterprise Zone Act. Allows the Illinois Commerce Commission to designate rural areas in the State as rural technology enterprise zones. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall submit a report to the General Assembly outlining the progress in improving Internet access within rural technology enterprise zones. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to provide a tax credit for investments in technology infrastructure required to provide Internet access in rural technology enterprise zones. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning general and supplemental State aid, removes language that provides that if the appropriation in any fiscal year for general State aid and supplemental general State aid is insufficient to pay the amounts required under the general State aid and supplemental general State aid calculations, then the State Board of Education shall ensure that each school district receives the full amount due for general State aid and the remainder of the appropriation shall be used for supplemental general State aid, which the State Board of Education shall calculate and pay to eligible districts on a prorated basis. Effective July 1, 2004.
