Sen. John O. Jones

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning child care for TANF recipients, provides that beginning July 1, 2004, the rates paid by the Department of Human Services to all providers of child care services who are licensed under the Child Care Act of 1969 shall be increased by an amount equal to 2% of the rates in effect on June 30, 2004. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the redevelopment project in the TIF District created by an ordinance adopted on November 30, 1986 by the City of Effingham must be completed by December 31 of the 35th year (now, the 23rd year) after the year in which the ordinance was adopted. Effective immediately.

Creates the Family and Personal Protection Act. Establishes statewide uniform standards for the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms in this State. Vests in the Department of State Police, the authority to issue concealed firearms permits to qualified applicants. Requires an applicant to complete a training course in handgun use, safety, and marksmanship. Also requires instruction in the law relating to firearm use. Requires an applicant to be at least 21 years of age. Prohibits an applicant who has been convicted of a felony or has a history of mental illness, addiction, or habitual alcohol use from obtaining a permit. Creates the Citizen Safety and Self-Defense Trust Fund administered by the Department. The moneys in the Fund shall be used to administer the Act. Establishes restrictions on carrying concealed firearms. Establishes standards for the training course and for certifying instructors. Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Family and Personal Protection Act supersedes an ordinance of a unit of local government inconsistent with that Act. Prohibits a home rule unit from regulating the issuance of permits to carry concealed firearms. Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Exempts from an unlawful use of weapons and aggravated unlawful use of weapons violation, persons who carry or possess firearms in accordance with the Family and Personal Protection Act. Effective immediately.

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 Illinois Finance Authority Act. Makes technical changes to a Section concerning definitions.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Reduces the fees for a new vehicle dealer's license. Removes the requirement that 95% of the license fees from new vehicle dealer's licenses be deposited into the General Revenue Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Requires the Director of Aging, in coordination with the Director of Public Aid and the Director of Public Health, to analyze the distribution of housing, health services, and supportive services for seniors in each geographic area of the State and to identify and designate critical access service areas. Provides that, at the end of each State fiscal year, any unspent and unencumbered General Revenue Fund appropriations for long-term care for seniors shall be deposited into the Alternative Long-Term Care Services for Seniors Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used to fund specified alternative long-term care services with priority given to the distribution of funds for services in critical access service areas. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Alternative Long-Term Care Services for Seniors Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that if a law enforcement agency, unit of government, or not-for-profit corporation or organization establishes a program that permits a person to transfer possession and ownership of a firearm to the law enforcement agency, unit of government, or not-for-profit corporation or organization, with or without consideration, the law enforcement agency, unit of government, or not-for-profit corporation or organization must obtain from the transferor of the firearm the transferor's name and address and the make, model, and serial number of the firearm transferred or if the serial number is not available the description of the firearm. Provides that the agency, unit of government, or not-for-profit corporation or organization must notify the Department of State Police of a firearms transaction under the program. Provides that firearms transferred that do not contain serial numbers must be transferred to the Department of State Police and held pending an investigation as to the origin of the firearms. The record of the transaction must be kept for a period of 10 years. If the firearm is transferred to a law enforcement agency or unit of government, requires tracing of the firearm by the law enforcement agency or unit of government. Provides that if a firearm transferred under the program is stolen, the legal owner of the firearm must be notified. Effective immediately.

Creates the Induced Birth Infant Liability Act. Provides that it is the intent of the General Assembly to protect the life of a child born alive as a the result of an induced labor abortion. Provides that a parent of the child or the public guardian of the county in which a child was born alive after an induced labor abortion or any other abortion has a cause of action against any hospital, health care facility, or health care provider that fails to provide medical care for the child after birth. Establishes the Neonatal Care and Perinatal Hospice Fund. Provides that, if a child does not survive, any remaining proceeds of an action shall be deposited into the Fund. Provides that the moneys in the Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, for neonatal care or perinatal hospice. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Neonatal Care and Perinatal Hospice Fund.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Changes certain provisions placing limitations on local access on certain State, county, and municipal highways by vehicles not exceeding specified width, length, and load limitations. Deletes the language of certain other provisions regarding limitations on local access by those vehicles. Effective January 1, 2004.