Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Increases the fee for retail sale of tires by 50 cents, which shall be distributed to the Department of Public Health. Amends the Department of Public Health Act to provide that the increase in the fee shall be distributed to county health departments based on the population of the county for expenses related to the West Nile Virus. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the Adoption Act. Removes the witness signature lines from Information Exchange Authorization and the Denial of Information Exchange forms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Hospice Program Licensing Act. Changes the definition of terminally ill to include a patient that has a life expectancy of one year or less (rather than 6 months or less). Makes changes in the definition of "hospice service plan". Makes changes in the provisions concerning application for a license. Effective immediately.

Creates the Rental Housing Support Program Act. Provides for grants from the Illinois Housing Development Authority to local administering agencies to provide subsidies to landlords to enable the landlords to charge rent affordable for low-income tenants. Also provides for grants from the Illinois Housing Development Authority to developers of new affordable rental housing. Sets forth criteria for the awarding of grants. Requires the Authority to establish an operating reserve for the program. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Rental Housing Support Program Fund, a special fund in the State treasury. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the county recorder shall collect a $10 surcharge over and above any other fees collected, one dollar of which shall be retained by the county and $9 of which shall be deposited into the Rental Housing Support Program Fund.

Creates the Stem Cell Research Act. Provides that it is the policy of the State of Illinois that research involving the derivation and use of human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic germ cells, and human adult stem cells from any source shall be permitted and that such research shall be reviewed by an approved institutional review board. Provides that individuals receiving fertility treatment shall have the option to choose among the available means of disposing of any human embryos remaining following the fertility treatment. Prohibits the purchase or sale of embryonic or cadaveric fetal tissue for research purposes and provides criminal penalties. Provides for liability in procuring, furnishing, donating, processing, distributing, or using embryonic or cadaveric fetal tissue for research purposes.

Amends the Adoption Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the order for standby adoption.

Creates the Tobacco Products Manufacturers' Escrow Enforcement Act of 2003. Requires a tobacco product manufacturer to certify by the thirtieth of April each year that the tobacco product manufacturer either: (i) is a participating manufacturer (in the Master Settlement Agreement); or (ii) is in full compliance with the Tobacco Products Manufacturers' Escrow Act. Provides that the Attorney General shall develop a directory listing all tobacco product manufacturers who are certified and all of the brand families that are listed on each tobacco product manufacturer's certification. Establishes reporting requirements for distributors of cigarettes. Provides for penalties for the violation of the Act. Provides that a person who (i) sells or distributing cigarettes, or (ii) acquires, holds, owns, possesses, transports, imports, or causes to be imported cigarettes that the person knows or should know are intended for distribution or sale in violation of the tax stamp requirements of the Act commits a Class 2 felony. Repeals the Tobacco Products Manufacturers' Escrow Enforcement Act.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In provisions for a community care program of services to prevent unnecessary institutionalization of persons age 60 and older, provides that the Department on Aging's eligibility standards for the services must include a provision that, to be eligible for services, a person may not have assets totaling more than $20,000 if (i) the person is unmarried or (ii) the person is married and the person or the person's spouse meets certain criteria. Provides that if the person is married and the person's spouse does not receive community care services, the person may not have assets totaling more than the asset disregard amount used by the Department of Public Aid in determining eligibility for medical assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective January 1, 2004.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Public Aid shall provide Medicaid reimbursement for all prenatal and perinatal health care services that are provided for the purpose of preventing low-birthweight infants and reducing the need for neonatal intensive care hospital services. Requires a report to the General Assembly every 2 years.

Amends the School Code. Prohibits the State Board of Education from purchasing irradiated food on behalf of school districts under a school food program. Prohibits a school board from purchasing irradiated food for a school and a school from serving irradiated food to students.