Attorney Act. PA 95-410 (Cullerton, D-Chicago; Currie, D-Chicago) amends the Attorney Act to create statutory remedies against the unauthorized practice of law. The bill's proposed remedies include appropriate equitable relief, a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 (to go to the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation), and actual damages. It also creates the Supreme Court Historic Preservation Act. Effective Aug. 24, 2007.

SLAPP procedure. PA 95-506 (Cullerton, D-Chicago; Franks, D-Woodstock) creates the Citizen Participation Act that provides for a separate civil procedure against SLAPP litigation (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). It creates a procedure to allow for quick adjudication and dismissal of litigation that seeks to prevent or punish someone from exercising rights guaranteed under the constitution, such as the right to free speech, petition, and participation in government. Effective Aug. 28, 2007.

Reduction of good-time credit. PA 95-134 (Acevedo, D-Chicago; Haine, D-Alton) reduces day-for-day good time to 7.5 days a month for a number of serious criminal offenses. Effective Aug. 13, 2007.

Juvenile records. PA 95-123 (Dunkin, D-Chicago; Raoul, D-Chicago) amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 to clarify that a court order is necessary for the disclosure of law enforcement records of a minor who has been arrested or taken into custody. Effective Aug. 13, 2007.

Zoning appeals. PA 95-321 (Sieben, R-Genesco; Sacia, R-Pecatonica) provides that in an administrative review of a decision of a hearing officer or a county zoning board of appeals, the only necessary parties are the hearing officer or the county zoning board of appeals and the applicant. It also requires that notice of the administrative review action and its process must be sent by certified mail to each person who appeared or testified in writing or orally. Effective Aug. 21, 2007.

Code-hearing unit. PA 95-471 (Trotter, D-Chicago; Molaro, D-Chicago) amends the Counties Code to allow any county (instead of counties under three million population) to establish a code-hearing unit. Effective Aug. 27, 2007.

Electronic appearance. PA 95-263 (Trotter, D-Chicago; Howard, D-Chicago) allows an incarcerated person to make a personal appearance by two-way audio-visual equipment in civil or criminal proceeding if the chief judge of the circuit issues rules authorizing such appearances in certain hearings. Effective Aug. 17, 2007.

GAL fees waived. PA 95-373 (Silverstein, D-Chicago; Fritchey, D-Chicago) prohibits any guardian ad litem or legal fees from being assessed against the Department of Human Services if its Inspector General has petitioned to declare a person a disabled adult. Effective Aug. 23, 2007.

Official State fruit. PA 95-328 (Jones, R-Mt. Vernon; Reis, R-Effingham) makes the GoldRush Apple as the official State fruit of Illinois. Effective Aug. 21, 2007.

Mechanics Lien Act. PA 95-274 (Pankau, R-Bloomingdale; Lang, D-Chicago) amends the Mechanics Lien Act to include rental equipment liens. It would include any contractor or subcontractor who leases construction equipment to another for use in the process of constructing a specific improvement to real estate. The contractor or subcontractor would have a lien for the rental value of the construction equipment to the same extent and the same manner as any other lien under this Act. But the equipment must be used on or about the site of the improvement, and it excludes an improvement that is a single-family residence or a multi-family residence of fewer than 12 units in a single building. Also makes changes to the section governing liens against public funds. Effective August 17, 2007.