Sen. David S. Luechtefeld

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Adds the percentage of Medicaid funded residents as one of the factors the Department of Healthcare and Family Services must considered in grouping nursing facilities for purposes of payment. Provides that a resident of a nursing facility whose application for long term care benefits is awaiting final action shall be included in the calculation as a Medicaid funded resident.

Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Noxious Weed Law. Provides that the governing body of each county may (previously was "shall") carry out the duties and responsibilities vested in it under the Act with respect to land under its jurisdiction in accordance with rules prescribed by the Department of Agriculture. Provides that those duties may (previously was "shall") include the establishment, under the general direction of the governing body of each county, of a coordinated program for control and eradication of noxious weeds within the county. Effective immediately.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that it is unlawful to take or possess deer in this State, except in compliance with the Act and its rules (instead of in compliance with the specified provisions of the Act). Effective immediately.

Amends the Local Government Electronic Reverse Auction Act (enacted by P.A. 96-588). Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Proposes to amend the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution. Adds a new Section concerning highway funds. Provides that no moneys derived from taxes, fees, excises, or license taxes, relating to registration, titles, operation, or use of vehicles or public highways, roads, streets, bridges, mass transit, intercity passenger rail, ports, or airports, or motor fuels, including bond proceeds, shall be expended for other than costs of administering laws related to vehicles and transportation, costs for construction, reconstruction, maintenance, repair, and betterment of public highways, roads, streets, bridges, mass transit, intercity passenger rail, ports, airports, or other forms of transportation, and other statutory highway purposes, including the State or local share to match federal aid highway funds. Limits the costs of administering laws related to vehicles and transportation to direct program expenses of the Secretary of State, the State Police, and the Department of Transportation related to the enforcement of traffic laws and safety. Provides that the revenues described herein shall not be diverted to any other purpose. Provides that any additional modes of transportation proposed for State funding shall have dedicated sources of funding. Provides that federal funds may be spent for any purposes authorized by federal law. Effective upon being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act.

Amends the Vital Records Act. Provides that a funeral director may arrange for the transport of a dead body to a location outside of Illinois for a period not to exceed 36 hours for the purpose of organ donation, tissue harvesting, or autopsy. Provides that the funeral director is not required to obtain a permit for transportation from the Department of Public Health or local health department prior to transporting the body; rather, the funeral director shall complete and transport with the body documentation as required by the Department of Public Health. Provides that the funeral director shall provide a copy of the documentation to the medical examiner or coroner having jurisdiction over the body, and that the documentation shall serve as notice that the body is being transported outside of Illinois for a period not to exceed 36 hours. Directs the Department of Public Health to adopt rules to implement the new provisions. Provides that the new provisions apply only if the dead body is to be returned to Illinois prior to disposition.

Amends the State Finance Act. Renames a fund as the Oil and Gas Resource Management Fund (now, Mines and Minerals). Makes corresponding changes. Amends the Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act. Provides that the Fund will be used to support the Division of Oil and Gas Resource Management (now, Office of Mines and Mineral). Effective immediately.

Urges Congress to elevate the national status of Cahokia Mounds and thematically-connected Mound Complexes that are deemed suitable and nationally-significant as a non-contiguous National Historical Park. Alternatively calls upon the President to exercise his authority by Executive Order to designate Cahokia Mounds as a National Monument.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall set a season during which white-tailed deer may be taken by use of firearms on the consecutive Saturday, Sunday, and Monday immediately before the fourth Thursday in November, commonly referred to as Thanksgiving Day.