Sen. Heather A. Steans

Recommends that an Illinois Physician Workforce Institute be organized and operated as an independent, unbiased, and not-for-profit research organization whose purpose is to collect, aggregate, analyze, and distribute Illinois-specific physician workforce data to provide objective information for assisting health care, professional, and education organizations, policy makers, and the public on issues related to the supply, demand, distribution, and use of physicians across the State.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Prisoner Review Board or one who has allegedly violated the conditions of his or her parole or mandatory supervised release may require by subpoena the production of physical evidence, electronic evidence, computer files, DVD's, audio or tape recordings, or any other evidence relating to any matter under investigation or hearing. Provides that the Prisoner Review Board shall not release any material to the inmate, the inmate's attorney, any third party, or any other person containing any information from the victim or from a person related to the victim by blood, adoption, or marriage who has written objections, testified at any hearing, or submitted audio or visual objections to the inmate's parole, unless provided with a waiver from that objecting party. Effective immediately.

Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. In connection with the pharmaceutical assistance program under the Act, provides that to become a beneficiary under the program, a person must have a maximum household income equal to or less than 239% of the Federal Poverty Level (instead of less than specified amounts or equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level). Provides for 4 (instead of 5) Eligibility Groups (eliminates current Eligibility Group 3). For persons in the Eligibility Group consisting of persons who have a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS, provides for an alternative co-payment according to whether or not a drug is covered by the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan in which the beneficiary is enrolled (in addition to whether or not the drug is included in the formulary of the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program operated by the Illinois Department of Public Health). Makes changes in the definitions of "covered prescription drug" for each Eligibility Group. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that a disease management pilot project undertaken by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall include a study of patient outcomes for patients at risk of low birth weight or premature birth. Provides that low birth weight and premature birth include all medical and other conditions that lead to poor birth outcomes or problematic pregnancies. Effective immediately.

Creates the Community Health Center Construction Act. Provides that the Capital Development Board, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall establish the Community Health Center Construction Grant Program and may make grants to eligible community providers subject to appropriations. Provides that the grants shall be for the purpose of constructing or renovating new community health center sites, renovating existing community health center sites, and purchasing equipment to provide primary health care services to certain populations or areas. Contains provisions concerning grants, eligibility for grants, use of grant moneys, and reporting. Effective immediately.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that the euthanasia of companion animals through recognized methods "set forth by the most current American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines on euthanasia" (now, "as approved by the Department of Agriculture") is generally not animal cruelty. Prohibits the euthanasia of companion animals by certain means. Amends the Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act. Requires the Department to forward information regarding certain alleged violations to (i) the State's Attorney of the county where the violation occurred and (ii) a local law enforcement office or the Illinois State Police. Requires euthanasia technicians to meet an additional requirement before being certified and to perform an additional duty once certified. Prohibits persons who have been convicted of or have pled guilty or no contest to certain offenses from being issued a certificate to euthanize animals. Provides that only euthanasia drugs shall be used for the purpose of humanely euthanizing injured, sick, homeless, or unwanted companion animals in an animal shelter or an animal control facility licensed under the Illinois Animal Welfare Act (now, those animals may be euthanized by other means, including compressed carbon monoxide). Authorizes the Department to refuse to issue, renew, or restore a certification; revoke or suspend a certification; place on probation; reprimand; or impose a $10,000 fine (now $1,000 fine) for listed activities. Adds certain activities to that list. Creates criminal penalties for certain violations. Repeals a Section concerning criminal penalties.

Amends the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Act. Changes the short title to the Energy Efficient Building Act. Provides a definition of "building". Applies the Act to residential and commercial buildings (now, all commercial buildings). Provides that the Capital Development Board must adopt the specified energy conservation code as the minimum requirements for commercial buildings and as the minimum and maximum requirements for the construction of residential buildings. Provides that units of local government may not regulate energy efficient building standards for residential buildings in a manner that is either less or more stringent than the standards in the Act. Provides that units of local government may not enact any annexation ordinance or resolution, or require or enter into any annexation agreement, that imposes energy efficiency building standards for residential buildings that are either less or more stringent than the energy efficiency standards in effect throughout the unit of local government. Provides that any unit of local government that has adopted any previously published editions of the International Energy Conservation Code on or before January 1, 2009 may continue to regulate energy efficient building standards under that Code and any supplements the unit of local government has adopted prior to January 1, 2009. Preempts home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code requiring the recording of specified information when a uniform traffic citation or warning citation is issued and providing for analysis of the information and a traffic stop statistical study. Deletes the July 1, 2010 repeal date of those provisions.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Changes the elements of the offenses of stalking and cyberstalking. Provides that a person commits stalking when he or she knowingly engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person, and he or she knows or should know that this course of conduct would cause a reasonable person to: (1) fear for his or her safety or the safety of a third person; or (2) suffer other emotional distress. Provides that if the conduct is committed using electronic communication, the offense is cyberstalking. Provides that a person also commits aggravated stalking when he or she, in conjunction with committing the offense of stalking, violates a stalking no contact order or a civil no contact order. Retains the same penalties for the offenses.

Amends the Counties Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning powers of counties.