Creates the FY2005 Budget Implementation Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to make the changes in State programs that are necessary to implement the Governor's FY2005 budget recommendations.
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that harassment through electronic communications by reason of the harassed person's actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin is a hate crime. Effective immediately.
Amends the Election Code. Requires the State Board of Elections to develop and administer a program of low-interest loans to election authorities for upgrading election equipment. Provides that the program shall last 5 years and shall be funded from appropriations to the Board for that purpose.
Amends the Toll Highway Act. Makes a technical change in a Section regarding directors.
Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the retention of a percentage of the contract price for certain construction contracts may not exceed 5%.
Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that a person who is not a federally licensed firearm dealer who desires to transfer a firearm while that person is on the grounds of a gun show must do so only through a federally licensed firearm dealer. Provides that the dealer must follow the procedure under the dial up provision of the Act as if the dealer were the seller of the firearm.
Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Repeals the Article containing the Certified Audit Program Law.
Creates the Children's Mental Health Act of 2003 and amends the State Finance Act and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the development of a Children's Mental Health Plan containing short-term and long-term recommendations to provide comprehensive, coordinated mental health prevention, early intervention, and treatment services for children from birth through age 18. Sets forth features that must be included in the plan. Creates the Children's Mental Health Council, composed of representatives of State government and representatives of various advocacy organizations, to submit a preliminary plan to the Governor on September 30, 2004 and a final plan on June 30, 2005. Imposes certain duties on the Office of Mental Health within the Department of Human Services, the State Board of Education, and school districts. Creates the Children's Mental Health Fund as a special fund in the State treasury, to be used for appropriations to the Department of Human Services for mental health prevention, early intervention, and treatment services for children from birth through age 18. Under the Medicaid program, requires the Department of Public Aid to provide for the screening and assessment of a child before a Medicaid-funded admission to an inpatient hospital for psychiatric services. Effective immediately.
Amends the Toll Highway Act. Requires the Governor to appoint an Inspector General to investigate waste, fraud, or financial mismanagement in Authority operations involving Authority employees or contractors. Provides that after the effective date of this amendatory Act and through June 30, 2004, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority may not charge or collect tolls at a rate higher than the tolls in effect on March 21, 2002. Provides that with respect to a proposed increase in toll rates, the Authority may not hold more than one hearing on the same day, and imposes other requirements concerning such hearings. Requires the Authority to submit a 20-year comprehensive strategic financial plan to the General Assembly by December 31, 2004. Requires the Auditor General to conduct a management audit of the State's toll highway operations and management. Provides that the Act constitutes an irrevocable and continuing appropriation from the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Fund for amounts to pay principal, interest, and other bond expenses and obligations (instead of the Fund being considered always appropriated for the purposes of repayment of debt service and other bond obligations). Provides that all other expenses, including ordinary and contingent expenses, are subject to annual appropriation. Provides that, before bonds may be issued for or construction may be commenced on any new segment of toll highway, the issuance of bonds for or the commencement of construction of that particular segment must be approved by law (rather than authorized by joint resolution of the General Assembly). Prohibits directors of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, their employees, and agents from receiving direct or indirect financial benefit from the letting of Authority contracts during their terms of service and for a period of one year following termination of their positions or employment with the Authority. Requires the Authority to maintain a debt service fund with respect to revenue bonds outstanding on the effective date of this amendatory Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and the Illinois Economic and Fiscal Commission Act. Creates a Revenue Estimating Council consisting of the State Comptroller and the Directors of the Bureau of the Budget and the Economic and Fiscal Commission. Beginning in 2005, requires the Council to estimate the State's revenues and fund availability and to report and update the estimates to the Governor and General Assembly. Effective immediately.
