Amends the Adoption Act. Provides that prospective adoptive parents do not have to be licensed as foster parents under the Child Care Act of 1969. Effective July 1, 2004.
Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Authorizes the Illinois Housing Development Authority to develop and implement a program of financial assistance to recently hired Illinois teachers purchasing their first primary residence. Limits the program to teachers employed by school districts defined by the State Board of Education as financially needy or experiencing a teacher shortage. Limits eligibility to public school teachers with no more than 2 years of employment as teachers who commit to teach in their school district for at least 3 years after their closing date. Effective July 1, 2003.
Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt maximum weight standards for textbooks used by pupils in public elementary and secondary schools. Provides that the weight standards shall take into consideration the health risks to pupils who transport textbooks to and from school each day. Effective immediately.
Amends the Emergency Medical Services Systems Act. Provides that in awarding funds to support disaster preparedness by first responders, the Illinois Department of Public Health and other State agencies shall take into account the role of hospitals in being prepared to respond to emergencies or disasters. Contains legislative findings regarding the role of hospitals as first responders. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that an applicant for public aid may file his or her application at any of the Department of Human Services' or Department of Public Aid's offices that handle applications, regardless of the applicant's residence address.
Amends the Adoption Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning who may adopt a child.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code in relation to education, training, and employment programs for TANF recipients. Provides that an individual who is exempt from participating in such programs but who volunteers to participate may not be sanctioned for not meeting program requirements. Makes changes concerning good cause for failure to participate in such programs, and provides that the Department of Human Services may not require corroboration of a client's assertion of good cause unless the Department has information that is inconsistent with that assertion. Provides that an individual may decline literacy testing or a determination of language proficiency. Requires the Department of Human Services to annually evaluate its procedures and written materials. Adds a provision concerning transitional jobs and removes a provision concerning community service. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the State or federal minimum wage, whichever is higher, shall be used to calculate the number of hours of participation required in any work activity, the wage subsidy paid to any employer who hires a recipient of public assistance, and the wage paid to the recipient of public assistance. Effective immediately.
Amends the Collection Agency Act. Provides that a collection agency may not impose a fee or charge for any child support payments collected through the efforts of a State or local governmental agency. Provides that a collection agency may not impose a fee or charge for the collection of child support payments that exceeds 25% of the amount of child support actually collected by the collection agency.
Amends the Legislative Commission Reorganization Act of 1984. Requires that the Legislative Research Unit post on the Internet the research and information it provides to a requesting legislator or legislative staff, without disclosing the identity of the requester. Requires that the Unit post, as soon as possible, such material provided during the 5 years before the bill's effective date. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.
