Lawmakers amend line of duty compensation penalties.February 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 70The State Prompt Payment Act and the Court of Claims Act have been amended to better enable persons designated by an Armed Forces member killed in the line of duty to obtain compensation. 30 ILCS 540/3-1, 705 ILCS 505/22.
New hearsay exception added for the intentional murder of a witness. PA 095-1004February 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 70The Illinois General Assembly amended the Code of Criminal Procedure by adding section 115-10.6, which creates a new hearsay exception when evidence is offered against a party that has killed the declarant "intending to procure the unavailability of the declarant as a witness in a criminal or civil proceeding." 725 ILCS 5/115-10.6.
State police to video tape all traffic stops. PA 095-1009February 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 70Illinois lawmakers amended the State Police Act to add section 30, which requires the use of video recording cameras in patrol vehicles. 20 ILCS 2610/30.
Emergency Contact Database to be created. PA 095-0898January 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 16The Illinois Identification Card Act has been amended by adding section 11A, and the Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended by adding section 6-117.2. 15 ILCS 335/11A and 625 ILCS 5/6-117.2.
Good Samaritan Act amended. PA 095-0874January 2009Illinois Law Update, Page 16The Good Samaritan Act has been amended by adding Section 30.5 titled "Alternative free medical clinic without physical premises patient notification practice." 745 ILCS 49/30.5.
Biometric Information Privacy Act passed. PA 095-0994December 2008Illinois Law Update, Page 612On October 3, 2008, Governor Blagojevich signed into law Public Act 095-0994 "the Biometric Information Privacy Act," which regulates the manner in which biometric information can be collected and stored.
Counties Code amended. PA 095-0805December 2008Illinois Law Update, Page 612The Counties Code has been amended by adding section 42000 dealing with county ownership of a wind farm. 55 ILCS 5/42000. This new section provides that a county may "own and operate a wind generation turbine farm [wind farm]."
Illinois' New Anti-SLAPP StatuteBy Eric M. Madiar and Terrence J. SheahanDecember 2008Article, Page 620The Act should quell libel suits against those who legitimately petition government for redress. But does it also shield those who intentionally defame others?
Code of Civil Procedure amended. PA 095-0831November 2008Illinois Law Update, Page 554The Illinois General Assembly has amended the Code of Civil Procedure by modifying several sections. 735 ILCS 5/3.
Order-of-protection laws amended to prohibit access to health records. PA 095-0912November 2008Illinois Law Update, Page 554The Illinois General Assembly amended Section 602.1 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and Section 222 of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act to prohibit health care providers from releasing a child's health care records to any respondent listed in an order of protection. 750 ILCS 5/602.1, 750 ILCS 60/222.
Plaintiff-friendly ADA amendments take effect Jan.1By Helen W. GunnarssonNovember 2008Lawpulse, Page 548Amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act legislatively overturn recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings.
Sale of Tobacco to Minors Act amended. PA 095-0905November 2008Illinois Law Update, Page 554Illinois lawmakers amended the Sale of Tobacco to Minors Act by prohibiting the sale of "loose" cigarettes "not contained within a sealed container" to minors, and making it a crime for minors to use false identification to obtain cigarettes and other tobacco products. 720 ILCS 675/1.
Unlawful Use of Encryption offense created. PA 095-0942November 2008Illinois Law Update, Page 554The Criminal Code of 1961 has been amended by adding section 16D-5.5 "[u]nlawful use of encryption," which prohibits the use of encryption to commit or assist in committing a criminal offense. 720 ILCS 5/16D-5.5.
Commission on the Elimination of Poverty Act created. PA 095-0833October 2008Illinois Law Update, Page 504The Illinois General Assembly created the Commission on the Elimination of Poverty Act to support "the goal of the State of Illinois that all people be free from poverty." Section 5 notes that in the Illinois Constitution, "the elimination of poverty" is among the core goals of our state government.
Criminal Code of 1961 amended. PA 095-0849October 2008Illinois Law Update, Page 504Effective January 1, 2009, the Criminal Code of 1961 is revised by adding a Cyber-bullying Law which provides penalties for harassment through electronic communication mediums. 720 ILCS 5/12-7.5.
New law attempts to simplify zoning hearingsBy Helen W. GunnarssonOctober 2008Lawpulse, Page 498 A new law classifies zoning decisions as legislative acts, not administrative rulings. This will streamline zoning proceedings, proponents say.
Sex Offender Community Notification Law amended. PA 095-0817October 2008Illinois Law Update, Page 504On August 14, 2008, the Sex Offender Community Notification Law was amended by adding Section 116 titled "Missing Sex Offender Database." 730 ILCS 152/116.
Statutory change gives right to counsel to juveniles facing detentionBy Helen W. GunnarssonOctober 2008Lawpulse, Page 498 An amendment to the Juvenile Court Act requires that counsel be appointed for a juvenile defendant in custody at or before his or her initial court hearing.
Illinois ratifies National Popular Vote Act. PA 095-0714September 2008Illinois Law Update, Page 444Illinois policymakers ratified and approved the "Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote Act."
Mosquito Abatement District Act amended. PA-095-0664September 2008Illinois Law Update, Page 444The Mosquito Abatement District Act has been amended by adding subsection (b) to Section 10 of the Act. 70 ILCS 1005/10(b).
The Public Utilities Act amended. PA 095-0660September 2008Illinois Law Update, Page 444The Public Utilities Act was amended by adding section 8-408 titled "Energy efficiency plans for small multi-jurisdictional utilities." 220 ILCS 5/8-408.
