Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Requires payors to notify individual insureds or enrollees within 30 days if the chosen health care physician no longer participates in the physician network. Requires payors to notify insureds or enrollees of their right to transition services under Section 25 of the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act.
Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act. Provides that if an applicant for a license under the Act has not been previously licensed under the Act or if the assisted living or shared housing establishment is not in operation at the time the application is made, the Department of Public Health must (instead of may) issue a probationary license. Provides that failure to receive a license under the Act within 6 months after applying for one shall result in a denial of the application. In connection with hearings held under the Act, authorizes the Director of Public Health to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of records and to administer oaths. Provides that an establishment that provides medication administration as an optional service shall annually administer a flu shot to each resident and shall administer or arrange for the administration of a pneumonia shot to each resident who is age 65 or older. Effective immediately.
Amends the Secretary of State Act. Requires the Secretary of State to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, an Inspector General. Provides that the Secretary of State may designate the Inspector General and members of the Inspector General's office as peace officers after those persons have completed basic police training. Allows the Inspector General to conduct investigations and make reports concerning fraud, corruption, and mismanagement in the Office of the Secretary of State; subpoena witnesses and evidence necessary to carry out the duties of the Inspector General, within specified limitations; and have direct access to the Secretary of State. Provides that a person who knowingly and intentionally fails to comply with a subpoena issued by the Inspector General is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Prohibits reprisals against employees of the Secretary of State who make complaints to or disclose information to the Inspector General. Requires the Secretary of State to adopt rules establishing requirements for investigations. Provides that any employee of the Secretary of State who is subject to investigation or inquiry by the Inspector General must be informed of his or her right to remain silent and to be represented by a representative of a labor organization. Provides that any employee of the Secretary of State who is subject to investigation or inquiry by the Inspector General must be informed of his or her right to remain silent and to be represented by a representative of a labor organization. Amends the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code. Provides requirements for the qualification of certain employees as inspectors. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2003, moneys contributed during the taxable year by the taxpayer for the purchase of an Illinois prepaid tuition contract, excluding moneys rolled over from another qualified tuition program account, may be deducted from the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income in arriving at base income for Illinois income tax purposes. Exempts the deduction from the sunset provisions of the Act. Amends the Illinois Prepaid Tuition Act to include a reference to the deduction. Effective immediately.
Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Changes, from 21 years of age or over to 18 years of age or over, the age at which a person may apply for and be issued a Firearm Owner's Identification Card without the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Effective immediately.
Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that a person who transfers or causes to be transferred a firearm within the State must keep a record of the transfer for a period of 5 (rather than 10) years from the date of the transfer. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education, in coordination with the Illinois Board of Higher Education, shall implement a Giant Steps Autism Center for Excellence program for the study and evaluation of autism and to provide related teacher training and other services. The program shall be operated over a period of 3 school years, beginning with the 2004-2005 school year. The State Board of Education is authorized to make grants to school districts that apply to participate in the Giant Steps Autism Center for Excellence program. The State Board of Education shall by rule provide the form of application and criteria to be used and applied in selecting participating school districts. 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 Farm Development Act. Provides that to be eligible for certain State guarantees, a farmer must be a principal operator of a farm or land, at least 30% (instead of 50%) of whose annual income is derived from farming and whose debt to asset ratio shall not exceed the maximum limit established by the Illinois Farm Development Authority (instead of "shall not be less than 40%"). Provides that State guarantees under certain programs shall not exceed $1,000,000 (instead of $500,000). Provides that the collateral acceptable to the Authority must be at least equal to the gross loan amount (instead of "at least equal to the State's portion of the Guarantee to be provided"). Deletes a provision that to be eligible for State guarantees, a farmer's net worth may not exceed $500,000. Deletes a provision stating that a lender may not withdraw a State guarantee if the loan contract provides for an interest rate that may vary. Changes the name of the "Young Farmer Loan Guarantee Program" to the "Illinois Farmer Loan Guarantee Program". Makes other changes.
Amends the Downstate Teachers Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Extends the deadline for application for early retirement without discount from June 30, 2005 to June 30, 2010; also reduces the required contribution for some members. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.
