Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to conduct a study to (i) develop an understanding of the geology of each aquifer in the State; (ii) determine the groundwater flow through the geologic units and the interaction of groundwater with surface waters; and (iii) determine the chemistry of the geologic units and the groundwater in those units. Requires the Department to develop geologic and groundwater flow models for each underground aquifer in the State based upon information obtained from the study. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. In a Section concerning reimbursement for special education classes for children from orphanages, foster family homes, children's homes, or State housing units, provides that if a child who was eligible to receive services under that Section is adopted and that child continues to receive support services from the Department of Children and Family Services, then the child shall continue to be eligible to receive services under that Section. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the Electronic Mail Act. Requires an initiator of an unsolicited e-mail advertisement to establish a toll-free telephone number or return e-mail address that the recipient of the advertisement may call or e-mail to notify the sender not to e-mail any further unsolicited e-mail advertisements. Prohibits an initiator of an unsolicited e-mail advertisement from selling or transferring the e-mail address of a person who given notice that he or she does not want to receive any further unsolicited e-mail advertisements. Provides that each unsolicited e-mail advertisement's subject line shall include "ADV:" as the first 4 characters and each adult-oriented unsolicited e-mail advertisement's subject line shall include "ADV:ADLT" as the first 8 characters.

Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that in fiscal year 2006 and in each fiscal year thereafter, the State budget must contain one or more line items appropriating moneys to pay certain liabilities incurred in the previous fiscal year. Amends the State Finance Act. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Budget Stabilization Act and amends the State Finance Act. Limits appropriations from the State's general funds in fiscal years when estimated general funds revenues exceed certain previous fiscal years' general funds revenues. Requires the State Comptroller to transfer from the General Revenue Fund into the Budget Stabilization Fund or Early Debt Retirement Fund an amount equal to the fiscal year's unappropriated general funds revenues. Establishes appropriation limits and a transfer schedule. Specifies the purpose of the Budget Stabilization Fund and requires that earnings on its investment remain in the Fund. Creates the Early Debt Retirement Fund as a special fund within the State treasury for payment of certain liabilities. Effective immediately.

Creates the Small Business Advisory Act. Requires State agencies to create and make available on the World Wide Web a small business advisory page with plain language explanations of proposed and adopted rules and legislation affecting small businesses that the agency is designated to administer, and plain language versions of advisory opinions and interpretations. Provides that explanations must remain posted on the web page for 6 months after their effective dates. Requires each agency to notify the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs when it updates its small business advisory web page. Requires DCCA to serve as a clearinghouse for notifying the small business community of rulemakings, seek input from the small business community on those rulemakings, and maintain a small business advisory web page that serves as a coordinated point of access to other agencies' small business advisory web pages.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code in relation to rights and responsibilities of applicants and recipients. Prohibits discrimination on account of marriage status. Provides that the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Aid may not discourage persons from making applications for benefits under the Code, and makes other changes concerning the application process. Requires the establishment of review procedures in cases of termination of benefits for reasons other than financial eligibility or death of the recipient. Requires determinations of eligibility for other assistance. Requires that a recipient with employment or earned income be provided with information concerning Family Assist, Family Care, and available education and training opportunities. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Hospital Report Card Act. Provides requirements for staffing levels. Requires hospitals to prepare a quarterly report detailing specified information as a condition of licensure. Requires the Department of Public Health to submit a report summarizing the quarterly reports by region to the General Assembly and publish that report on its website. Provides protection for whistleblowers. Provides a private right of action to whistleblowers against their employers. Provides penalties for violations of the Act. Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that violations of the Hospital Report Card Act are grounds for discipline under the Act.

Amends the Cigarette Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

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.