House Sponsors: HOWARD. Short description: DIGITAL DIVIDE-DCCA COMPUTERS Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the State Finance Act and the Eliminate the Digital Divide Law. Requires the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs to provide computers to persons who lack computer skills and who reside with a student eligible to receive free school lunches. Requires the Department of Central Management Services to create and maintain a website where the recipients may train in computer use. Requires the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs to track and assess recipients' progress and to report to the Governor and the General Assembly after 3 years. Creates the necessary special fund within the State treasury. Provides that the Digital Divide Elimination Advisory Committee shall (i) oversee the programs of the Eliminate the Digital Divide Law, (ii) assist the Department of Central Management Services in the creation of the website, and (iii) report annually to the Governor and General Assembly. Effective immediately. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Deletes the lack of computer skills as an eligibility requirement to receive a computer. Provides that earnings attributable to moneys in the Digital Divide Computer Fund shall be deposited into the Fund. Requires the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (instead of the Department of Central Management Services) to create and maintain a website where the recipients may train in computer use. FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 1 (Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs) The impact for DOC cannot be made at this time with respect to the requirements that 100,000 computers be provided to eligible households around the State, a website be developed to train individuals, and individual progess be monitored. The cost for two additional staff to operate the program is estimated to be $158,000 during the first year of operation. STATE MANDATES NOTE, H-AM 1 (Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs) In the opinion of DCCA, HB 5809 (H-am 1) does not create a State mandate under the State Mandates Act. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: JAN-07-2003 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status