Publications

Illinois Bar Journal
Articles on Legislation

Three-year pilot program focuses on the societal reintegration of persons with physical disabilities or mental illness. PA 096-0810 April 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 180 Amendments to the Disabilities Services Act have charged the Department of Human Services with creating a new pilot program designed to show the reintegration possibilities of persons with disabilities who need short-term placement in nursing facilities.
Illinois military code amended. PA 096-0822 March 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 128 Under the Illinois Military Code, grants from the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund are now available for Illinois residents who are part of the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces or Illinois National Guard members and were injured while deployed in support of operations undertaken as a result of the September 11th terrorist attacks. 
Juvenile offender reports mandated. PA 096-0853 March 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 128 The Children and Family Services Act has been amended to require the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission to prepare a report concerning parole revocations of juvenile offenders, to be completed by September 30, 2010.
Laws relaxed for vehicle window tinting. PA 096-0815 March 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 128 Drivers can now operate vehicles with more tinting on the side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver, under a law passed recently by Illinois lawmakers. 
No statute of limitation for child pornography cases. March 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 128 Illinois lawmakers amended the Criminal Code of 1961 to allow prosecution of child pornography offenses to be undertaken "at any time."  
Private sewage disposal restricted. PA 096-0801. March 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 128 Illinois lawmakers amended the Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act by adding a new provision that will take effect on January 1, 2013. 
Protections extended to elementary and secondary schools. PA 096-0807 March 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 128 The Illinois General Assembly has amended the Criminal Code of 1961 (Code) to provide for stiffer penalties for those who commit crimes on school property. 
Amendments clarify rights with respect to contested paternity. PA 096-0333 February 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 State lawmakers amended the Vital Records Act with respect to the procedures for registering certain live births. 410 ILCS 535/12.
Civil penalties heightened for destroying crops. PA 096-0529 February 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 Illinois lawmakers in recent months beefed up the civil penalties for destroying a farmer's crops. Under amendments to the Criminal Code of 1961, any person who knowingly damages another's crops is liable to the crop owner for money damages "up to twice the market value of the crops damaged or destroyed." 720 ILCS 5/21-1.  
Colorectal cancer screening and treatment pilot program approved. PA 096-0325 February 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 Colorectal cancer results in the death of nearly three thousand Illinoisans each year. It is the third most frequently diagnosed form of cancer in the state of Illinois. 
Illinois amends layoff protocol for merit compensation/salary grade employees February 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (the department) modified the regulations concerning the layoff of merit compensation system employees of state agencies. 
New felony for using a stolen firearm to commit a crime. PA 096-0190 February 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 Criminals who commit crimes with stolen guns now can be charged with a new Class 2 felony - use of a stolen firearm in the commission of an offense.
New law criminalizing obstruction of identification. PA 096-0335 February 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 The Illinois General Assembly is cracking down on the obstruction of identification.  
Penalties stiffened for animal and dog fighting. PA 096-0226 February 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 Illinois lawmakers in recent months stiffened penalties for activities associated with animal and dog fighting. 
Two Cheers for the New Illinois Freedom of Information Act By Alison K. Hayden February 2010 Article, Page 82 Revisions to Illinois' sunshine laws are designed to make public records more accessible. But will they work as intended?
Aggravated battery with a firearm law now protects students; Unlawful use of weapons law extends protection to public transportation facilities. Public Act 096-0041 January 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 State lawmakers amended the charge for aggravated battery with a firearm to include protection for students.
Amendments ease ID requirements for first-time college voters. PA 096-0317 January 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 College students voting for the first time now can prove their identity simply by producing a student identification card and proof of residence, under new amendments to the Election Code. 
Counties empowered to create consolidated drug courts.PA 096-0776 January 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 Illinois lawmakers recently amended the Drug Court Treatment Act to allow counties in the same judicial district to form a single drug court.
New adoption regulations for cats and dogs. PA 096-0314 January 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 Animal shelters and animal control facilities now have the responsibility to sterilize and microchip all cats and dogs before they are ad. 
Recruiting minors into street gangs now a felony. PA 096-0199 January 2010 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 Recruiting minors into street gangs is now a Class 1 felony, under recent amendments to the Criminal Code of 1961. 
Do-not-resuscitate requirements reformed. PA 096-0765 December 2009 Illinois Law Update, Page 604 Illinois lawmakers amended the Health Care Surrogate Act, changing the requirements for a do-not-resuscitate (DNr) order. 755 ILCS 40/65.  
Firearm owner's Id revoked for subjects of order of protection. PA 096-0701 December 2009 Illinois Law Update, Page 604 Individuals with orders of protection issued against them soon will have their Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) Card revoked, requiring them to surrender their guns to a local law enforcement agency for safekeeping.
Illinois outlaws DWT (driving while texting) By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2009 Lawpulse, Page 598 Effective January 1, drivers aren't allowed to "compose, send, or read an electronic message." Is PA 96-0130 overregulation or overdue?
Purchasers of mortgaged real estate must give detailed notice to tenants. PA 096-0111 December 2009 Illinois Law Update, Page 604 Tenants must be given detailed notice of mortgage foreclosures, under new regulations passed by Illinois lawmakers. 
Sex offenders banned from using social networking Web sites. PA 096-0262 December 2009 Illinois Law Update, Page 604 Illinois lawmakers recently added new language to the Criminal Code of 1961 to prohibit convicted sex offenders from using social networking Web sites.
Stalking laws amended. PA 096-0686 December 2009 Illinois Law Update, Page 604 The Illinois General Assembly made numerous changes to the Criminal Code of 1961, including amendments to statutes on criminal stalking, aggravated stalking, and cyberstalking. 720 ILCS 5/12-7.3-7.5.
Act provides guidance for considering electronic communication time in determining parental visitation rights. PA 096-0331 November 2009 Illinois Law Update, Page 552 Illinois law makers amended sections 607 and 609 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, defining visitation and instructing courts on how to consider electronic communication when determining parental visitation rights.
Law for minor smoking offenders amended. PA 096-0179 November 2009 Illinois Law Update, Page 552 The Illinois General Assembly amended section 5-615 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 regarding supervision of minors who have been found in violation of the Prevention of Tobacco Use by Minors Act. 705 ILCS 405/5-615. 
New law brings transparency to homestead assessments. PA 096-0122 November 2009 Illinois Law Update, Page 552 State lawmakers recently added new language to the state Property Tax Code to help homeowners understand and challenge changes in their property assessments. 
New Law Promotes Private Trust-Administration Agreements By Lyman W. Welch and Susan T. Bart November 2009 Article, Page 562 The new Illinois virtual representation law allows more trustees and beneficiaries to resolve trust matters by private agreement.
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