New Law Clarifies Illinois' Sentencing StatutesBy John J. Cullerton, Peter G. Baroni, Daniel S. Mayerfield, Ryan J. Rohlfsen, and Paul H. TzurSeptember 2009Article, Page 466A newly enacted reorganization of the Unified Code of Corrections helps bring sentencing up to date in Illinois.
New program created to fund capital improvement projects for hospitals. PA 096-0037September 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 444Illinois lawmakers have amended the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to create, subject to appropriation, a program to award grants to fund capital projects "to improve or renovate [a] hospital's facility or to improve, replace or acquire the hospital's equipment or technology."
Act extends ability of terminated employees to continue medical insurance coverage. PA 096-0013August 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 392The Illinois General Assembly has amended the Illinois Insurance Code (Code) and the Health Maintenance Organization Act to provide for circumstances in which employees who are terminated or whose hours fall below the minimum hours necessary for coverage may continue to be covered under a group policy or group HMO coverage plan.
Budget Act makes changes to state programs to comply with federal stimulus package. PA 096-0008July 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 336The Illinois General Assembly has enacted the FY2009 Budget Implementation (Spring Supplemental) Act to make necessary changes to state programs, so that the governor's supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2009 can be implemented in keeping with the provisions of the federal economic stimulus package (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009).
CTA notice requirement eliminatedBy Helen W. GunnarssonJuly 2009Lawpulse, Page 330Plaintiff’s lawyers are cheering the removal of a notice requirement they say functioned “as a shield against unsuspecting plaintiffs” with legitimate claims against the CTA.
Demystifying Illinois DUI SentencingBy Larry A. DavisJuly 2009Article, Page 352Presenting Illinois’ confusing DUI sentencing options as a chart enables practitioners to see at a glance which penalties their clients face.
Illinois’ new will repository lawBy Helen W. GunnarssonJuly 2009Lawpulse, Page 330Legislation headed to the governor will give lawyers a place to deposit wills for long-lost clients.
New open government legislationBy Helen W. GunnarssonJuly 2009Lawpulse, Page 330A bill awaiting the governor’s signature would make the promise of open records real for more people, supporters say.
Pension Code amended to provide guidelines for the selection of investment service providers. PA 096-0006July 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 336Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Pension Code to include a new section detailing the process for selecting and appointing consultants to provide investment services for retirement systems, pension funds and investment boards subject to the Code (excluding funds established under articles 3 and 4 of the Code).
Illinois Redeploy Program amended PA 095-1050June 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 284Illinois lawmakers amended section 16.1 of the Probation and Probation Officers Act by inserting and deleting language concerning the "Redeploy Illinois Program." 730 ILCS 110/16.1.
New lead and mercury labeling requirements PA 095-1019June 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 284The Illinois General Assembly amended section 6 of the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and added two new sections to the Mercury-added Product Prohibition Act. 410 ILCS 45/6, 410 ILCS 46/22, 23.
Public smoking restrictions amended. PA 095-1029May 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 226The Illinois general Assembly amended several sections of the Smoke Free Illinois Act. 410 ILCS 82/10 et seq. Section 15 of the Act was amended to provide that an owner of a place of employment, public place, or government vehicle, as those terms are defined by the Act, "shall reasonably assure that smoking" is prohibited unless specifically allowed under section 35 of the Act.
"Rape Shield" for Civil LawsuitsBy Helen W. GunnarssonMay 2009Lawpulse, Page 220An Illinois House bill would extend the prohibition against admitting evidence of an alleged victim's sexual history to sexual harassment charges.
School Code addresses bonded indebtedness. PA 095-1025May 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 226The Illinois general Assembly amended the School Code by changing section 7-14 which addresses the "Bonded indebtedness-Tax rate." 105 ILCS 5/7-14.
Counties Code amended to address public facilities. PA 095-1002April 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 174The Illinois General Assembly amended section 5-1006.5 of the Counties Code by adding terms which address "public facilities" in the "Special County Retailers' Occupation Tax" provision.
New laws criminalize interference with the duties of a judicial officer. PA 095-1035April 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 174Illinois lawmakers amended the Criminal Code of 1961 by adding two new sections making it a crime to interfere with the duties of a judicial officer, or attempt to bribe an officer's immediate family, staff, or other court employees. 720 ILCS 5/32-4e, 32-4f.
The Public Construction Bond Act amended. PA 095-1011April 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 174The Illinois General Assembly amended section 1 of the Public Construction Bond Act to expand the requirements for bonds by contractors for state construction projects. 30 ILCS 550/1.
Act protects rights of detainees to access religious workers. PA 095-1022March 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 122Illinois lawmakers created the Access to Religious Ministry Act of 2008 to ensure that religious workers have reasonable access to immigration-related detainees held in county jails in the state of Illinois. 730 ILCS 125/26.
Commission to Study Disproportionate Justice Impact Act enacted. PA 095-0995March 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 122Illinois lawmakers enacted the Commission to Study Disproportionate Justice Impact Act to assess the “nature and extent of the harm caused to minority communities” by certain provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/ et seq), Criminal Code of 1961 (720 ILCS 5/ set seq), Cannabis Control Act (720 ILCS 550/ et seq) and other listed laws.
Department of Human Services Act amended. PA 095-0998March 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 122The Illinois General Assembly has amended the Department of Human Services Act by adding and deleting language in Section 10-10, and adding Section 10-60. 20 ILCS 1305/10-10, 10-60.
In Defense of the Citizen Participation ActBy Adam SchwartzMarch 2009Column, Page 114The Illinois Citizen Participation Act of 2007 protects expressive activity in furtherance of efforts to petition the government.
New life insurance standards for reserve liabilities and nonforfeiture valuesMarch 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 122The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation added a new Part to Title 50 entitled,Preneed Life Insurance Minimum Standards for Determining Reserve Liabilities and Nonforfeiture Values. 50 Ill Adm Code 1414, 32 Ill Reg. 19725.
Freedom of Information Act amended. PA 095-0941February 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 70Illinois lawmakers amended section 7 of the Freedom of Information Act to exempt certain data elements from the Illinois Health and Hazardous Substances Registry from public inspection and dissemination. 5 ILCS 140/7.
