Creates the Individual Market Fairness Reform Law. Provides that a managed care entity shall (1) fairly and affirmatively offer all of its managed care plans that are sold to all individuals in each service area in which the managed care entity provides or arranges for the provision of health care services and (2) may not reject an application for an individual managed care plan if certain requirements are met. Provides that the Division of Insurance of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall develop a system to categorize all managed care plans offered and sold to individuals pursuant to this Law into 5 coverage choice categories. Creates the Minimum Medical Loss Ratio Law. Provides that any company selling a health benefit plan in the individual or small group market shall expend in the form of health care benefits no less than 85 percent of the aggregate dues, fees, and premiums received by the company. Creates the Health Sure Illinois Law to establish a program for the purpose of making managed care plans affordable and accessible to small employers and individuals. Provides that the program is limited to active managed care entities. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates new Articles in the Code establishing the Office of Patient Protection and the Illinois Health Carrier External Review Law. Amends the Small Employer Health Insurance Rating Act, Illinois Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act in provisions concerning small employers, individuals, review, and rates. Repeals a provision of the Small Employer Health Insurance Rating Act concerning establishment of a class of business. Makes other changes.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Requires the Chairpersons of the House of Representatives' Committee on Elementary & Secondary Education and the Senate's Committee on Education to each appoint 5 members to a Special Joint Chicago Education Facilities Subcommittee. Requires the Joint Subcommittee, with the help of independent experts, to analyze past school district experience with respect to the closing or opening of schools, school repairs, school additions, school phase-outs, school consolidations, and school boundary changes; to consult widely with stakeholders about these facility issues; and to examine relevant best practices from other school systems for dealing with these issues systematically and equitably. Provides for a draft policy and a final proposed policy. Provides that there shall be a moratorium on school closings, consolidations, and phaseouts in the school district in the 2009-2010 school year, and provides that any of these actions that are subsequently appropriate shall be carried out no sooner than the end of the 2010-2011 school year. Effective immediately.
Mourns the death of Mrs. Annie Lee-Houston of Chicago.
Amends the Election Code. With respect to the disclosure of campaign finances, redefines contributions and expenditures that must be reported to include those accepted or made in connection with the legal defense of a candidate for or holder of a State or local elective office. Defines legal defense as relating to various offenses against public officials, employees, and entities at any level of government, infamous crimes, and offenses reflecting upon the candidate's or official's character, honesty, integrity, and ability. Effective immediately.
Proposes to amend the Suffrage and Elections Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides for the recall of the Governor by petition of the State's electors and for the election of a successor Governor. Effective upon being declared adopted.
Creates the Local Farm and Food Products Act. Contains only a short title provision.
Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall (instead of may) conduct an investigation upon receipt of a complaint to insure that a community mental health or developmental services agency is in compliance with the Act. Provides that in connection with the operation of an agency without a license or permit, the Department shall (instead of may) investigate, notify the agency, and make referrals to investigatory or law enforcement agencies. Effective immediately.
Resolves that the Senate believes that it is not in the national interest of the U.S. to deepen its military involvement in Afghanistan, that the 17,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan should be recalled from there, and that we should concentrate on capturing Osama bin Laden.
Amends the Illinois State Auditing Act. Provides for the establishment and operation within the Office of the Auditor General of an Appropriations Earmark Unit to conduct performance audits of earmarked appropriations that become law. Requires operation of a telephone hot line to receive anonymous suggestions for audits of grant programs and earmarked appropriations. Requires the audits to be public records and filed with the Legislative Audit Commission. Requires a majority vote of the Commission in order to direct the Auditor General to cease conducting an audit. Effective July 1, 2009.
Makes FY09 appropriations to the State Comptroller for expenses related to court reporting. The sum of $3,633,750 is appropriated for official court reporting. The sum of $760,000 is appropriated for State contributions to the State Employees Retirement System and $356,250 for State contributions to Social Security. Effective immediately.