Publications

Illinois Bar Journal
Articles on Legislation

Department of Natural Resources may ban individuals from its land. PA 097-1011 February 2013 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 The Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois now provides for the removal and/or ban of individuals from Department-owned or dedicated lands. 20 ILCS 805/805-518 new.
A New Tool for Federal Legislative Research By Tom Gaylord November 2012 Column, Page 612 Congress.gov will soon succeed THOMAS as the go-to site for federal legislative research.
The DCFS youth scholarship recipient pool has been expanded. PA 097-0799 September 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 464 The youth to whom the Department of Children and Family Services may award its available scholarship and fee waivers has been expanded.
2012 Spring Session Legislative Roundup By Jim Covington August 2012 Column, Page 408 A summary of laws passed this spring by the General Assembly.
New remedies for storage facility owners. PA 097-0599 August 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 404 The Self-Service Storage Facility Act has been amended to provide storage facility owners with new guidelines regarding liens and late fees (770 ILCS 95/2).
Limits on open burning. PA 097-0488 June 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 292 The Fire Protection District Act has been amended to allow for the emergency prohibition of open burning (70 ILCS 705/8.20).
Emergency Medical Services Access Law grants immunity from prosecution to those who experience or report drug overdoses. PA 097-0678 April 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 184 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (720 ILCS 570/414 new), the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act (720 ILCS 646/115 new), and the Unified Code of Corrections (730 ILCS 5/5-5-3.1) in an effort to decrease drug-overdose deaths.
Law enforcement authorities must provide notice when re-opening a closed case. PA 097-0457 March 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 132 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act to require law enforcement authorities to provide notice when a closed case is re-opened for investigation (725 ILCS 120/4.5).
New limitations on restraints for pregnant and postpartum prisoners. PA 097-0660 March 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 132 The Counties Code has been amended to introduce new limitations on the restraint of pregnant, laboring, and postpartum prisoners (55 ILCS 5/3-15003.6).
Corporate authorities of townships may provide for disposal of brush and leaves. PA 097-0417 January 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 The Township Code has been amended to authorize corporate authorities of a township to provide funds, by ordinance, for the collection, transportation, and disposal of brush and leaves within the unincorporated parts of the township. 60 ILCS 1/210-7 new.
Lessors of dwelling units must disclose radon hazards to current and prospective tenants. PA 097-0021 January 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 The Illinois Radon Awareness Act has been amended to require lessors of dwelling units to disclose any radon hazard to lessees. 420 ILCS 46/25 new.
New registration requirements for sex offenders. PA 097-0578 January 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Sex Offender Registration Act to introduce new retroactive registration requirements for sex offenders and sexual predators. 730 ILCS 150/2 et seq.
The Small Business Development Grant Fund created. PA 097-0406 January 2012 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 Illinois lawmakers have amended the State Fund Act to establish the Small Business Development Grant Fund as a special fund in the state treasury. 30 ILCS 105/6z-87 new.
State agencies must use direct deposits to make employee payroll and some other payments. PA 097-0348 December 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 610 Illinois lawmakers have amended the State Comptroller Act to require state agencies to use direct deposits in making payments to its employees and some vendors. (15 ILCS 405/9.03)
State Board of Education to provide funding for K-12 textbooks. PA 097-0570 December 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 610 State lawmakers have amended the school code to establish the Textbook Block Grant Program (105 ILCS 5/2-3.153 new).
State creates greater opportunities for minority contractors. PA 097-0590 December 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 610 The State Comptroller Act has been amended to introduce the Minority Contractor Opportunity Initiative (15 ILCS 405/23.9 new).
Employers may not violate pregnant employees' civil rights. PA 097-0596. November 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 556 The Illinois Human Rights Act has been amended to protect pregnant employees (775 ILCS 5/2-102).
Hotels now required to install smoke detectors. PA 097-0447. November 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 556 The Smoke Detector Act has been amended to require hotels to install at least one approved smoke detector within 15 feet of every guestroom. (425 ILCS 60/3).
New warning requirements for child-related articles and jewelry containing lead. PA 097-0612. November 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 556 The Lead Poisoning Prevention Act has been amended to (i) narrow its definition of child care articles and toys containing paint, (ii) change the minimum statement required to appear on children's products, and (iii) define body piercing jewelry and worn jewelry covered by the Act (410 ILCS 45/6).
Prospective jurors who are excused because of a permanent disability may never serve as a juror. PA 097-0436. November 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 556 The Jury Act and the Jury Commission Act have been amended to prohibit persons who have been excused from jury duty due to a total and permanent disability from ever serving as a juror again. (705 ILCS 305/10.4, 10.5 new).
Rebate offers need to be accompanied by conspicuous and clear disclosures. PA 097-0308. November 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 556 Retailers offering merchandise rebate offers must now abide by new disclosure requirements. (815 ILCS 505/2LLL new).
Registration of vehicles used in gunrunning may be suspended. PA 097-0540. November 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 556 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Vehicle Code to address the registration status of vehicles used in gunrunning violations (625 ILCS 5/3-704).
Schools may suspend or expel students for gross disobedience or misconduct committed online. PA 097-0340. November 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 556 Illinois lawmakers have amended the School Code to enable school boards to suspend or expel students for committing gross disobedience or misconduct using electronic means. (105 ILCS 5/10-22.6).
All driver's license applicants must provide social security numbers. PA 097-0263 October 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 496 The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to remove the social security number exemption for all driver's license applicants. (625 ILCS 5/6-106, 6-110, and 6-510).
Dental home initiative for children covered by All Kids. PA 097-0283 October 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 496 The Children's Health Insurance Program Act, Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code have been amended to require the Department of Health and Human Services to work with the dental community and other organizations to develop a dental home for children covered under the Acts. (215 ILCS 106/65 new; 215 ILCS 170/54 new; 305 ILCS 5/5-5.06 new).
Illinois Identification Cards may be issued without photographs for religious reasons. PA 097-0371 October 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 496 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Identification Card Act to authorize the Secretary of State to issue Illinois Identification Cards or Illinois Disabled Person Identification Cards without photographs under certain circumstances. (15 ILCS 335/4, 335/5).
It is now unlawful to ride in towed vehicles. PA 097-0017 October 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 496 Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Vehicle Code to make it unlawful to ride in any vehicle while it is being towed on a public highway. (625 ILCS 5/11-1408)
A person who asks a third party to stalk a victim is guilty for the act. PA 097-0311 October 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 496 The Illinois Criminal Code has been amended to place accountability on a person who directs a third party to stalk another person. (720 ILCS 5/12-7.3, 12-7.4, 12-7.5, and 12-30).
School districts may charge up to $250 for driver education courses. PA 097-0145 October 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 496 The Illinois School Code has been amended to allow school districts to increase driver education course fees to an amount not exceeding $250. (105 ILCS 5/27-24.2).
School districts must provide criminal record information upon request. PA 097-0248 October 2011 Illinois Law Update, Page 496 Illinois lawmakers have amended the School Code to require school districts to provide certain criminal record check results and Statewide Sex Offender Database check results that it obtained within the past year upon request. (105 ILCS 5/10-21.9, 5/34-18.5)
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