Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Removes language that terminates the earned income tax credit with taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2002. Exempts the credit from the sunset requirements. Effective immediately.
Creates the Whistleblower Act. Provides that an employer may not: make, adopt, or enforce any rule, regulation, or policy preventing an employee from disclosing information to a government or law enforcement agency if the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation; retaliate against an employee for disclosing information to a government or law enforcement agency, where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation; or retaliate against an employee for refusing to participate in an activity that would result in a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation. Provides that a report made by an employee of a government agency to his or her employer is a disclosure of information to a government or law enforcement agency under the Act. Violation is a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that, if an employer takes any action against an employee in violation of the Act, the employee may bring a civil action against the employer for all relief necessary to make the employee whole, including but not limited to reinstatement, back pay, compensation for damages, litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney's fees. Provides that the Act does not apply to an employer that is a governmental entity. Provides that the Act does not apply to disclosures that would constitute a violation of the attorney-client privilege.
Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. Provides that beginning on January 1, 2004, the pharmaceutical assistance program covers prescription drugs used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Amends the Department of Human Services Act and the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to contract with an entity experienced in applied research to compile a cross-disability database of disabled Illinois residents who are potential beneficiaries under the "most integrated setting" requirement of the Americans with Disabilities Act as construed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Requires the Secretary of Human Services to appoint a panel to advise the Department on the compilation. Requires the Department to collect and maintain statistical information on developmentally disabled persons who have requested and are waiting for community based services financed by the Department. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that every person who qualifies for home-delivered meals under the federal Older Americans Act shall receive those services, subject to appropriation. Provides that by January 1 of each year, the Department on Aging shall provide the General Assembly and the Illinois Council on Aging estimates of the additional funds necessary to fund the program for the next fiscal year.
Amends the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. Provides that beginning in the calendar year 2004 and until December 31, 2008, a total of 5 additional enterprise zones may be certified by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs.
Amends the Financial Identity Theft and Asset Forfeiture Law of the Criminal Code of 1961. Changes the name of the Article to the Identity Theft Law and the names of the offenses of financial identity theft and aggravated financial identity theft to identity theft and aggravated identity theft. Includes in the offense of identity theft: (1) using any personal identification information or personal identification document of another with intent to commit any theft or felony violation of Illinois State law; (2) obtaining, recording, possessing, selling, transferring, purchasing, or manufacturing any personal identification information or personal identification document with intent to commit or to aid or abet another in committing any theft or felony violation of Illinois State law; (3) using, obtaining, recording, possessing, selling, transferring, purchasing or manufacturing any personal identification information or personal identification document of another knowing that such personal identification information or personal identification documents were stolen or produced without lawful authority; or (4) using, transferring, or possessing document-making implements to produce false identification or false documents with knowledge that they will be used by the offender or another to commit any theft or felony violation of State law. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that a victim may not be deemed to have consented to an act of sexual penetration or sexual conduct if the victim initially consented to the sexual penetration or sexual conduct and later withdraws consent if the accused continues the act of sexual penetration or sexual conduct after the victim withdraws consent. Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code to require the State Board of Education to provide after-school program grants to qualifying school districts for the purpose of providing academic assistance at the end of the regular day of instruction or on non-school days for students and their families at school sites. Provides that a school district qualifies and may apply for a grant if the district contains one or more schools in which at least two-fifths of the students at the school fail to meet State academic standards. Establishes requirements for the grants. Effective immediately.
Creates the Illinois Early Learning Council Act. Establishes the Illinois Early Learning Council to coordinate existing State programs and services for children from birth to 5 years of age in order to better meet the early learning needs of children and their families. Provides for the appointment of members to the Council who represent both public and private organizations and who shall serve on a voluntary, unpaid basis.
