Sen. Rickey R. Hendon

Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Authorizes the Department of State Police to establish and operate a decoy law enforcement vehicle program in coordination with local law enforcement agencies in order to deter crime in areas of the State plagued by high rates of drug trafficking. Requires the Department, upon request by a local law enforcement agency, to locate old or unused law enforcement vehicles in a drug-infested area, periodically relocate those vehicles within the area, and periodically assign State troopers to law enforcement activities within the area.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a notice indicating a tow zone shall be at least 6 inches by 12 inches in size. Requires that the letters on the notice be brightly colored. Requires that the words "Tow Zone" appear on the notice in a bright color different than the color used for other lettering.

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 Children and Family Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning low-interest loans for child care facilities.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning direct child welfare service employee licenses.

Amends the Chicago Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a member may establish service credit for certain periods spent as an employee of the Chicago Fire Department during which he or she did not participate in any other annuity and benefit fund established under the Code; requires payment of employee contributions plus interest. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Creates the Banking Development District Act. Creates a program to encourage the establishment of banking branches in locations where there is the greatest need for banking services. Requires the State Treasurer, in consultation with the Office of Banks and Real Estate, to adopt rules that set forth criteria for the establishment of banking development districts. Provides that a municipality or a county, in conjunction with a bank, may apply to the State Treasurer to have property designated as a banking development district. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a taxing district may abate a portion of the property taxes on a banking branch in an area designated as a banking development district. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that a law enforcement agency or law enforcement officer may not use a video camera or other device, openly or secretly placed, to record visual images of public streets or highways and pedestrians or motor vehicle drivers on those streets or highways for the purpose of enforcing the criminal laws of this State or the criminal ordinances of a unit of local government. Provides that video camera images recorded in violation of this provision are inadmissible in any criminal proceeding as evidence against a pedestrian or driver shown in those images and may not be used as a basis for an arrest of any person shown in those images to be violating the criminal laws of this State or the criminal ordinances of a unit of local government.

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that a parent on a leave of absence from his or her employer or who left employment to be with his or her child during the first year of life (or during the first year following placement of a child age 18 or less with the individual for adoption) may not be denied compensation on specified grounds. Provides that benefits shall be reduced under certain circumstances. Provides that each employer shall post information relating to the availability of birth and adoption benefits. Provides that any benefits paid under the new provisions shall not be charged to the account of the individual employer. Provides that the Director shall issue a report evaluating the effectiveness of the new provisions. Provides that the new provisions shall be applied consistent with federal regulations. Effective immediately.

Amends the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning applications for certification.