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Illinois Bar Journal
Articles on Legislation

Criminal trespass to residence now felony in some circumstances; P.A. 91-895 November 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 624 As a result of a new Illinois law, the Illinois State Police established a pilot program aimed at testing technology designed to measure driver impairment caused by alcohol or other drug use.
Harassing and Obscene Communications Act amended; P.A. 91-878 November 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 624 First-time offenders that place harassing telephone calls are normally guilty of a Class B misdemeanor, and repeat offenders face a minimum of 14 days in jail or 240 hours of public service work.
Legislation gives courts resources to keep track of multiple offenders of traffic laws; P.A. 91-716 November 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 624 Under newly enacted amendments to the Illinois Vehicle Code, courts will have the resources to crack down on motorists who repeatedly violate traffic laws and take advantage of court supervision.
Legislature mandates pilot of new DUI technology; P.A. 91-881 November 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 624 As a result of a new Illinois law, the Illinois State Police established a pilot program aimed at testing technology designed to measure driver impairment caused by alcohol or other drug use.
Uniform Penalty and Interest Act amended to create new penalty structure; P.A. 91-803 November 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 624 Illinois taxpayers will pay less in penalties and interest as a result of amendments to the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act.
Certain sex offenders prohibited from living near schools; P.A. 91-911 October 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 563 Although no sex offender will be forced to move from his or her home, certain offenders will no longer be allowed to reside near certain protected areas under a new Illinois law signed by Gov. George H. Ryan.
Dissemination of secret videotapes or photographs now a Class 4 felony P.A. 91-910 October 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 563 Knowingly videotaping or photographing persons in locker rooms, changing rooms, or hotel bedrooms will soon be a Class A misdemeanor under a new amendment to the Criminal Code.
Sexual assault evidence may be released by health officials in new circumstances; P.A. 91-888 October 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 563 Under a new Illinois law, sexual assault evidence collection kits may be released in an increased number of situations to facilitate prosecutions of alleged offenders.
Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act amended; P.A. 91-875 October 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 563 The number of persons considered "sexually violent" may increase as a result of recent changes to the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act.
Governor signs new law mandating the preservation of evidence, withholds authority to exercise amendatory veto P.A. 91-871 September 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 500 The 91st General Assembly has taken a second major step toward ensuring criminal justice by requiring that physical evidence used to convict criminals be preserved for DNA and other testing in post-trial proceedings.
Public and appellate defenders once again granted immunity — P.A. 91-877 September 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 500 Public and appellate defenders and those who contract for their services are once again immune from legal and professional malpractice claims under a new Illinois law.
Drug abusers may lose children; P.A. 91-802 August 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 438 Beginning next year, more unfit parents may begin losing custody of their children.
DUI fine increase to raise revenue for police equipment ; P.A. 91-822 August 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 438 Illinois law enforcement officials may soon get new equipment to aid in making the state's highways safer.
Procedures for determining "best interest" of child in custody proceedings clarified; P.A. 91-746 August 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 438 In response to a recent appellate court decision, the General Assembly passed and the governor recently approved legislation clarifying the process for requesting court-ordered evaluations in child custody proceedings.
91st General Assembly provides tax relief To Illinoisians July 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 380 During one of the shortest sessions in recent history, the General Assembly answered Gov. George H. Ryan's call for tax cuts during a year in which most legislators find themselves on the election ballot in November.
Circuit Breaker Program for elderly expanded; P.A. 91-699 July 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 380 Public Act 91-699, which will take effect next year, expands the state's Circuit Breaker Program by increasing the minimum level of income for eligibility and expanding coverage for drugs used to treat certain diseases.
College Savings Pool July 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 380 On March 24, 2000, the Illinois Treasurer's Office adopted emergency rules to section 2500 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 23 Ill Adm Code 2500.
Earned income tax credit bill signed into law; P.A. 91-700 July 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 380 Calling the bill "one of the most important measures we have ever passed in Springfield," Gov. Ryan signed Public Act 91-700, which amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to establish the first state income tax credit for Illinois taxpayers.
More than two million Illinois homeowners share tax relief ; P.A. 91-703 July 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 380 In mid-May, Gov. Ryan signed the third and final piece of tax relief legislation enacted by the General Assembly during the spring session.
New law protects consumers from predatory lenders ; P.A. 91-698 July 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 380 Public Act 91-698, which became effective when signed on May 6, is designed to protect Illinois consumers from predatory lenders by authorizing the Department of Financial Institutions and the Office of Banks and Real Estate to promulgate rules regulatin regulating the activities of lenders they license.
Neighborhood Services Act compromise finally reached June 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 310 During one of the briefest legislative sessions in recent memory, the General Assembly ended a four-month controversy over whether illegally transporting firearms should be considered a felony or misdemeanor in Illinois.
Racial profiling study rejected; H.B. 3911 June 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 310 House Bill 3911 required Illinois law enforcement officers to record information about the race of motorists who received traffic or warning citations.
Excessive speeders slowed by Class A misdemeanor penalty ; P.A. 91-469 April 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 196 Pursuant to Public Act 91-469, "[a] person who drives a vehicle ... at a speed that is 40 miles per hour or more in excess of the applicable maximum speed limit" commits a Class A misdemeanor.
New hearsay exception created for statements made by deceased declarants; P.A. 91-363 April 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 196 Public Act 91-363 creates a new hearsay exception by adding section 115-10.4 to the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, 725 ILCS 5/100-1 et seq.
Tattoos for public servicework?; P.A. 91-98 April 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 196 Under two new laws that amend the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, some juveniles may soon be trading in their tattoos for additional community service hours.
Despite gubernatorial veto, General Assembly permissively approves sales taxes for all nonhome rule municipalities; P.A. 91-649 March 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 128 Public Act 91-649 permissively approves sales taxes for all nonhome rule municipalities. Previously, a nonhome rule municipality needed at least 130,000 inhabitants to pursue a sales tax, which effectively precluded most proposals.
New changes in child support law; P.A. 91-677 March 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 128 In a move to remedy some of the problems that have troubled the State Disbursement Unit for child support since its creation, Gov. George H. Ryan recently signed into law Public Act 91-677.
General Assembly approves Gov. Ryan’s amendatory veto of eavesdropping law changes; P.A. 91-657 February 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 68 P.A. 91-657 makes several changes to the eavesdropping sections of the Illinois Criminal Code, 720 ILCS 5/14-1 et seq. The act also closes a loophole and makes additional amendments.
Legislature concurs with amendatory veto, fails to override other veto February 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 68 During the veto session, the General Assembly agreed to Gov. Ryan’s amendatory veto of House Bill 421, which amends the Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.
Illinois attempts to keep drugs out of state January 2000 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 As of January 1, 2000, Illinois drivers who own or operate vehicles containing hidden compartments may be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Public Act 91-359 amends the Vehicle Code by making it illegal to own or operate a motor vehicle when a person knows the vehicle contains a false or secret compartment.
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