Senate Sponsors: MADIGAN,L. Short description: EMERGENCY HEALTH POWERS ACT Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Creates the Illinois Emergency Health Powers Act. Allows the Governor, by executive order, to declare a public health emergency if there is an occurrence or imminent threat of an illness or health condition, caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease, or novel and highly fatal infectious agents or biological toxins, that poses a substantial risk of a significant number of human fatalities or incidents of permanent or long-term disability. Gives the Governor broad emergency powers, including financial powers. Designates the Department of Public Health as the public health authority and the Department of State Police as the public safety authority; allows the Departments to specifically authorize others to act. Provides for termination of a declaration of a public health emergency by the Governor or the General Assembly (by a two-thirds vote) and provides for automatic termination after 30 days unless renewed. Provides for detecting, reporting, and tracking public health emergencies, for activation of disaster response and recovery agencies, and for dissemination of information. Authorizes special powers for the control of persons (including medical exams and tests, isolation and quarantine, and access to patient records) and for the control and possession of property (including quick-take powers of eminent domain). Authorizes special powers for licensing and appointing health personnel. Provides for certain penalties. Provides for the Governor to appoint a Public Health Emergency Planning Commission. Provides for immunity from liability. Provides that the Act controls over conflicting laws and rules. Preempts home rule powers. Exempts from the reimbursement requirements of the State Mandates Act. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure to authorize quick-take powers of eminent domain. Effective immediately. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: JAN-07-2003 Location: Senate Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status