Sen. Dan Rutherford

Amends the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act. Adds a caption to the definitions Section of the Act.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning Medicaid rates for nursing homes, provides that for FY04 and for each subsequent fiscal year until the rates for such facilities equal the level in effect on June 30, 2002, all moneys appropriated specifically for Medicaid rate adjustments for such facilities shall be applied first to restoring the rates for nursing homes to the level in effect on June 30, 2002, thereby restoring the 5.9% reduction in rates otherwise required; requires moneys appropriated specifically for rate adjustments in excess of the amount necessary to restore the rates to be applied to making payments in accordance with the new Minimum Data Set (MDS) methodology. Provides that on and after July 1, 2005, such excess moneys shall be applied as follows: (i) 50% shall be applied to making payments to facilities in accordance with the new MDS-based payment methodology; and (ii) 50% shall be applied to provide an equitable percentage increase in the nursing component of the nursing home rates. Provides that on and after July 1, 2005, the rates paid to nursing homes shall not be reduced to an amount less than 9.5% of the nursing rate in effect on June 30, 2002. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that any ward, township, or precinct committeeman who is convicted of an infamous crime, shall be disqualified from holding the office of the committeeman and that office shall become vacant.

Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the powers of the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate.

Amends the Banking Emergencies Act. Makes a technical change in a Section relating to notice to the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Removes provisions allowing the Environmental Protection Agency to assess and collect NPDES discharge fees. Effective immediately.

Makes appropriations to the Board of Trustees of the State Universities Retirement System for ordinary and contingent expenses for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2003. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Provides that neither the Department of Public Health nor the health department of a unit of local government may regulate the serving of food that is brought to a potluck event sponsored by a group of individuals or a religious, charitable, or nonprofit organization by individuals attending the potluck event for consumption at the potluck event. Provides that: a group or organization sponsoring a potluck event may advertise the potluck event to the public through any means; individuals who are not members of a group or organization sponsoring a potluck event may attend the potluck event and consume the food at the event; no fee may be charged for admission to a potluck event nor may food be sold at a potluck event; a business establishment dealing in the sale of food items may not sponsor a potluck event; and potluck event food may not be brought into the kitchen of a business establishment dealing in the sale of food items.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the testing of water samples.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 to include in the definition of first degree murder the killing of an individual without lawful justification, if the act committed which caused the death of the individual was the manufacture or attempted manufacture of a controlled substance in violation of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.