Sen. Chapin Rose

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, subject to appropriation, to provide grants to counties for the purposes of providing incentives to attract and retain Assistant State's Attorneys within the county. Effective immediately.

Amends the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption provisions in the Property Tax Code. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision concerning this exemption, for taxable year 2005 and thereafter, if a person (i) was granted an exemption in the immediately prior taxable year and (ii) has submitted proof to the Chief County Assessment Officer that a member of the person's household is, or will be during the taxable year, 75 years of age or older, the person must be granted an exemption for the current taxable year without having to file an application. Provides that if the Chief County Assessment Officer has reasonable grounds for belief that the person is not eligible for the exemption for the taxable year, he or she may require the person to file an application. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement from the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Nail Technology Act of 1985. Provides a time frame during which the Department of Professional Regulation may accept 10 years of cosmetology experience in lieu of specified requirements for licensure. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Changes the standards that the court shall apply to determine if a witness qualifies as an expert witness as follows: (i) whether the witness is board certified or board eligible in the same medical specialties as the defendant and is familiar with the same medical problems or the type of treatment administered in the case (instead of the same relationship of the medical specialties of the witness to the medical problem and the type of treatment in the case); (ii) whether the witness has devoted 75% (instead of a substantial portion) of his or her time to the practice of medicine, teaching, or university-based research in relation to the medical care and type of treatment at issue; and (iii) whether the witness is licensed by any state or the District of Columbia (instead of just licensed). Provides that an expert witness shall provide proof of active practice, teaching, or engagement in university-based research. Provides that, if retired, an expert must provide proof of attendance and completion of continuing education courses for the 3 years previous to giving testimony. Provides that an expert who has not actively practiced, taught, or been engaged in university-based research within the 10 years previous to giving testimony may not be qualified as an expert witness.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning transfer of an owner's interest in a vehicle.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that it is an affirmative defense to a violation of a municipal ordinance that prohibits, regulates, or restricts the private ownership of firearms if the individual who is charged with the violation used the firearm in an act of self-defense or defense of another. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, unless some other speed restriction has been established under the Code, the maximum speed limit outside an urban district for any vehicle is 65 miles per hour. Effective January 1, 2005.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Public Aid may not establish any formulary limits on, or restrict by any prior authorization requirement, any insulin prescription drug as prescribed and determined to be medically necessary for the treatment of diabetes. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that proof that a minor was present in a structure or vehicle in which the minor's parent, custodian, or guardian was involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine constitutes prima facie evidence of abuse and neglect.

Congratulates Grace Church of Mahomet on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.