Publications

Illinois Bar Journal
Articles on Legislation

New visitation rights available to grandparents and siblings - PA 094-1026 October 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 526 Due to the ever-changing definition of family, the Illinois General Assembly amended section 607 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. 750 ILCS 5/607.
Automated railroad crossing enforcement permitted. PA 094-0771 September 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 464 In an effort to increase safety at railroad crossings, Section 11-1201.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code was amended, and section 11-1201.5 was added. 625 ILCS 5/11-1201.1 and 1201.5.
Electronic recording of vehicle speeds permitted only in construction zones. PA 094-0814 September 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 464 In order to increase safety for construction and maintenance workers, Section 11-605.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (Code) was amended and section 11-612 was added. 625 ILCS 5/11-605.1 and 11-612. 
Legislature overturns one-year limit on family-law fee suits By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2006 Lawpulse, Page 458     Family law practitioners now have 10 years to sue clients in an independent action for unpaid fees. 
Quitclaim deeds require notification to previous owner. PA 094-0823 September 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 464 The Illinois General Assembly recently added Section 3-5046 to the Counties Code in order to provide better notice to previous owners that a quitclaim deed has been filed. 
African-American HIV/AIDS Response Fund created PA 094-0797 August 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 404 The Illinois General Assembly amended the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Act (Act) to create a special fund that shall provide grants for "programs to prevent the transmission of HIV and other programs and activities consistent with the purposes of this Act, including, but not limited to, preventing and treating HIV/AIDS, the creation of an HIV/AIDS service delivery system, and the administration of the Act." 
Bill would amend Open Meetings Act to address attendance by "electronic means" By Helen W. Gunnarsson August 2006 Lawpulse, Page 398 Proposed legislation would allow public officials to attend meetings electronically under specified circumstances. 
Financial reports required for charity sale of motor vehicles or watercrafts PA 094-0749 August 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 404 The Solicitation for Charity Act is amended by changing section 6, 225 ILCS 460/6, which requires specific information in the financial reports of fund raisers that collect or sell motor vehicles or watercrafts. 
"Let Them Rest-in-Peace" Act passed PA 094-0772 August 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 404 In response to a Kansas church's recent anti-homosexual protests at funerals of those in the military and just before a potential protest at the funeral of a southern Illinois Army pilot, the Illinois legislature passed the "Let Them Rest-in-Peace" Act (Act). 720 ILCS 5/26-6. 
School zone speed limit now applies to park and recreation facilities PA 094-0808 August 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 404 Recently the Illinois General Assembly concluded that since lower speed limits near schools have protected children for years and since many children also use parks and recreation facilities near schools, the speed limits should be lower near the parks as well. 
2006 Spring Session Roundup By Jim Covington July 2006 Column, Page 348 New restrictions on eminent domain, another crack at grand-parents" visitation, and more.
Alcoholic mist machines prohibited in Illinois : PA 094-0745 July 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 334 Section 6-33 has been added to the Liquor Control Act of 1934 (Act), in order to prohibit the use or sale of "any alcohol without liquid machine" in the state of Illinois. 
Excessive engine braking noise prohibited in commercial vehicles : PA 094-0756 July 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 334 The Illinois General Assembly has amended the Illinois Vehicle Code (Code) by adding section 602.1. 625 ILCS 5/12-602.1.
Illinois seeks efficiency in the event of a disaster PA 094-0733 July 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 334 Perhaps due to problems with the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Hurricane Katrina, the Illinois General Assembly amended Section 2105-400 of "The Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois." 20 ILCS 2105/2105-400. First, subsection 
Illinois skills match program posts job vacancies online : PA 094-0786 July 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 334 In order to make securing employment easier for its citizens, the Department of Employment Security Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois has added the Illinois Skills Match Program under section 1005-47 of 20 ILCS 1005.
Impersonating a military hero is a crime : PA 094-0755 July 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 334 Out of respect for those in the military, the Illinois General Assembly amended section 17-2 of the Criminal Code of 1961 (Code), by adding subsection (a-6). 720 ILCS 5/17-2(a-6). 
Increased security authorized at railroad terminals PA 094-0736 July 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 334 Due to increasing security concerns regarding public transportation after Sept. 11, 2001, section 18c-7503 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/18c-7503, has been amended to provide for terminal security on railroad property by adding section 2.5 and amending subsection 3.
The Latest on Predatory Lending Legislation By James K. Weston July 2006 Column, Page 380 Concerns persist about this anti-redlining program.
Smoking now prohibited in all college dorms : PA 094-0770 July 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 334 While some college dorms permitted certain floors to allow smoking, the Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act (Act) now prohibits smoking in all student dorms. 
Counties may regulate AM broadcast stations PA 094-728 June 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 284 In expanding the Counties Code, 55 ILCS 5/1-1001 et seq, the Illinois General Assembly has provided county boards or the "board of county commissioners of any county" with the authority to regulate "AM broadcast towers and facilities," in addition to the facilities of telecommunications carriers. 
False personation of peace officer while carrying a weapon now a felony PA 094-0730 June 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 284 Effective April 17, 2006, the Criminal Code of 1961, 720 ILCS 5/1-1 et seq, was amended to expand the statutory restriction on the unlawful use of weapons. 
The General Assembly rewrites eminent domain law By Helen W. Gunnarsson June 2006 Lawpulse, Page 278 The bill, now on the governor's desk, specifies that property can be condemned only for a "qualified public use." 
Religious freedom recognized by Condominium Property Act PA 094-0729 June 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 284 Section 18.4 of the Condominium Property Act (765 ILCS 605/1 et seq) has been amended to expand the powers and duties of the boards of managers for condominium associations while also recognizing the right of property owners to exercise their religious beliefs.
Commercial vehicles may tow two vehicles PA 094-0713 May 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 230 In an effort to ensure highway safety, section 15-107 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/15-107, has been amended.
Department of Corrections to evaluate and treat sex offenders PA 094-0706 May 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 230 Section 19 of the Sex Offender Management Board Act, 20 ILCS 4026/19
State Podiatric Disciplinary Funds may not be transferred to General Revenue Fund PA 094-0726 May 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 230 Effective upon becoming law, section 8h, "Transfers to General Revenue Fund," of the State Finance Act, 30 ILCS 105/8h, is amended. Subsection (c) of section 8h now provides that section 8h does not apply to funds reserved in the "Illinois State Podiatric Disciplinary Fund."
Unemployment Insurance Act revised PA 094-0723 May 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 230 Effective January 1, 2006, sections 1400 and 1402 of the Unemployment Insurance Act (820 ILCS 405/100 et seq) were revised, and section 1400.2 was added to the Act. 
The Circuit Courts Act is amended to reduce judgeships in the 19th and 22nd judicial circuits PA 094-0727 April 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 174 Effective February 14, 2006, the Circuit Courts Act (Act), 705 ILCS 35/2 et seq, was amended to reduce the number of judgeships in the 19th and 22nd circuits. 
EPA amended for pollution control PA 094-0725 April 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 174 Effective June 1, 2006, the Environmental Protection Act (Act) (415 ILCS 5 et seq) was amended by revising sections 22.51 and 39, respectively, to set more precise standards in the field of excavation. 
School Code amended to include bonds as exempt from indebtedness PA 094-0721 April 2006 Illinois Law Update, Page 174 Section 19-1 of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/19-1) has been revised to provide that bonds issued by school districts offering K-12 curriculum will not be considered indebtedness regardless of all previous law, including any limitations that may exist under this section. 
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