Sen. Deanna Demuzio

Mourns the death of Gary R. Harper Jr. of Virden.

Amends the Alternate Fuels Act. Provides that beginning July 1, 2005, owners of vehicles using domestic renewable fuel are eligible to apply for a fuel cost differential rebate. Provides that biodiesel blended fuel facilities may be included in the Alternate Fuel Infrastructure Program administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that "alternate fuel" includes, among other fuels, "80% bio-based methanol" (instead of "bio-based methanol"), fuels that are 80% (instead of 70%) derived from biomass, and hydrogen fuel. Provides that "domestic renewable fuel" includes, among other fuels, "80% bio-based methanol" (instead of "bio-based methanol") and 20% biodiesel fuel (instead of "fuels derived from bio mass"). Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Recreational Use of Land and Water Areas Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to encourage owners of land to make land and water areas available to any individual or, on state-owned or managed lands and waters, members of the public (rather than to the public) for recreational or conservation purposes by limiting their liability toward persons entering thereon for such purposes. Provides that residential buildings are not included in the definition of "land". Changes the definition of "recreational or conservation purpose" to include hunting, hiking, recreational shooting, operation of an off-highway vehicle, rock climbing, trapping, horseback riding of an entrant's own horse or horses, fishing, swimming, boating, camping, picnicking, water or snow skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning certifying a record.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Designates the month of November of each year as Alzheimer's Awareness Month.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Deletes provisions requiring a monthly transfer into the AFDC Opportunities Fund of all amounts established and maintained in the Employment and Training Fund under the Illinois Public Aid Code. Creates the ICCB Instructional Development and Enhancement Applications Revolving Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Requires the State Board to deposit into the Fund moneys received from the sale of instructional technology developed by the State Board. Requires all moneys in the Fund to be used by the State Board, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, for costs associated with maintaining and updating that technology. Amends the State Finance Act to establish the ICCB Instructional Development and Enhancement Applications Revolving Fund. Amends the Public Community College Act and the State Finance Act to repeal the Video Conferencing User Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act. Provides that a provider agency may recruit volunteers for the purpose of increasing public awareness and providing transportation and companion services to eligible adults. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning the intent and purpose of the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program.

Creates the Illinois AgrAbility Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the University of Illinois Extension, shall contract with a non-profit disability service provider or other entity that assists disabled farmers, to establish and administer the Illinois AgrAbility Program in order to assist individuals who are engaged in farming or an agriculture-related activity and who have been affected by disability. Sets forth services to be provided by the Illinois AgrAbility Program. Sets forth eligibility requirements for the Program. Creates the Illinois AgrAbility Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury and, subject to appropriation, provides that moneys in the Fund may be expended for the Illinois AgrAbility Program and for no other purpose. Requires the University of Illinois Extension to submit certain documents to the Department of Agriculture. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois AgrAbility Fund. Effective immediately.

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.