Publications

Illinois Bar Journal
Articles on Legislation

Remedy for the unauthorized practice of law amended. PA 95-0410 March 2008 Illinois Law Update, Page 124 Section 1 of the Attorney Act has been amended. 705 ILCS 205/1. 
Duration of registration for Sex Offenders and Violent Offenders against Youth amended. PA 095-0169 February 2008 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 The Illinois General Assembly mandates that the Illinois State Police maintain a statewide Sex Offender Database (730 ILCS 152/115 (a)-(b)) and Child Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database ((730 ILCS 154/85 (a)-(b)). 
The Illinois Police Training Act amended. PA 095-0171 February 2008 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 Section 7 of the Illinois Police Training Act has been amended to provide for curriculum meant to protect individuals with autism and "other developmental disabilities." 
Missing Persons Identification Act created. PA 095-0192 February 2008 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 Act provides law enforcement guidelines and requires all law enforcement agencies to accept "without delay" any report of a missing person.
Wabash and Ohio Rivers Coordinating Council Act created. PA 095-0132 February 2008 Illinois Law Update, Page 72 The Wabash and Ohio Rivers Coordinating Council Act has as its purpose the "restoration and conservation of the Wabash and Ohio Rivers and their tributaries."
Amendments protect minors’ interests in confidentiality and rehabilitation. PA 095-0123 January 2008 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 Sections 1-7 and 1-8 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, have been amended. 705 ILCS 405/1-7, 1-8. 
Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Training Act Created. PA 095-0022. January 2008 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 A new program has been created at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Southern Illinois University to “expand their focus on enrolling, training, and graduating forensic mental health professionals.” 
The Illinois Human Rights Act amended. PA 095-0025 January 2008 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 The Illinois Human Rights Act has been amended by adding a sub-section (H) to Section 2-102. 775 ILCS 5/2-102(H).
Nursing Home Care Act amended. PA 095-0031 January 2008 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 The Nursing Home Care Act has been amended to include minimum standards adopted by the Department of Public Health for the operation of nursing homes. 210 ILCS 45/3-202.
Proceedings against foreclosure tenants amended. PA 095-0262 January 2008 Illinois Law Update, Page 16 The Code of Civil Procedure has been amended to allow foreclosure tenants who are current on their rent to retain possession of their property for a designated period. 735 ILCS 5/15-1701. 
Access to library records allowed without a court order. PA 095-0040 December 2007 Illinois Law Update, Page 632 Section 1 of the Library Records Confidentiality Act has been amended to allow libraries to publish or make available registration and circulation records deemed confidential. 75 ILCS 70/1. 
Assembly restricts federal government employment verification systems. PA 095-0138 December 2007 Illinois Law Update, Page 632 Section 12 has been added to the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act, prohibiting employers from using employment verification systems, including the Basic Pilot program. 820 ILCS 55/12. 
Clean Coal FutureGen for Illinois Act passed. PA 095-0018 December 2007 Illinois Law Update, Page 632 The Illinois General Assembly has created the Clean Coal FutureGen for Illinois Act which provides “liability protection and permitting certainty to facilitate the siting of the FutureGen Project in the State of Illinois.” 
New Consumer Remedies for UPL By Melinda J. Bentley December 2007 Column, Page 631 A new law allows clients to sue for UPL damages under the Illinois Attorney Act.
Small-trust-termination amendment gets mixed reviews By Helen W. Gunnarsson December 2007 Lawpulse, Page 622 It’s good to allow trustees to terminate small trusts when fees are consuming income. But should income, rather than remainder, beneficiaries automatically get the proceeds?
Warning sign and device provisions added to Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. PA 095-0020 December 2007 Illinois Law Update, Page 632 A new section has amended the Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act adding provisions for “signs and devices” that warn of the presence of dams. 615 ILCS 5/23b. 
AIDS Confidentiality Act amended. PA 095-0007 November 2007 Illinois Law Update, Page 576 The Illinois General Assembly has changed the AIDS Confidentiality Act concerning informed consent for HIV testing and anonymous access to test results.
Definition of neglected child expanded. PA 095-0443 November 2007 Illinois Law Update, Page 576 The Illinois General Assembly has amended Section 3 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. 325 ILCS 5/3. 
llinois Civil Rights Act amended to protect against gender discrimination. PA 0 95-0541 November 2007 Illinois Law Update, Page 576 The Illinois General Assembly has amended Section 5 of the Illinois Civil Rights Act of 2003 to prohibit gender discrimination. 740 ILCS 23/5.
Title insurance purchaser guaranteed right to choose title insurance company. PA 095-0570 November 2007 Illinois Law Update, Page 576 The Title Insurance Act has been amended to ensure that title insurance purchasers have a right to choose the title insurance company that will indemnify against loss arising from a defect in title to real property. 
Using "My Legislation" to Keep Up to Date By Tom Gaylord November 2007 Column, Page 608 The General Assembly Web site's free "My Legislation" feature lets you stay abreast of new public acts.
Wildlife Code amended to add new youth-only season. PA 095-0013 November 2007 Illinois Law Update, Page 576 Section 2.25 of The Wildlife Code provides for the manner in which deer may be harvested in the state of Illinois. 520 ILCS 5/2.25.
Guidelines passed for distinguishing employees and independent contractors. PA 095-0026 October 2007 Illinois Law Update, Page 516 The Illinois General Assembly has passed the Employee Classification Act in an attempt to prevent the improper identification of employees as independent contractors.
Horse meat no longer for human consumption. PA 095-0002 October 2007 Illinois Law Update, Page 516 The Illinois General Assembly has amended or added to numerous Acts which deal with the slaughter of animals and the use of horse meat for human consumption.
New law expands video appearances by prisoners By Helen W. Gunnarsson October 2007 Lawpulse, Page 510 Public defenders opposed the law's passage, arguing that it gives inmates second-class justice.
Legal aid groups would benefit from cy pres statute By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2007 Lawpulse, Page 454 A bill would make it more likely that legal aid and other charitable organizations will end up with leftover class-action settlement proceeds.
New law allows Human Rights Act plaintiffs to file in circuit court By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2007 Lawpulse, Page 454 Complainants under the Illinois Human Rights Act can now file in circuit court instead of with state agencies. This brings Illinois into line with federal practice and that of 38 states.
New law on attorney modification clauses in real-estate contracts? By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2007 Lawpulse, Page 454 Has the second district made it easier for a party to a real estate contract to make a counter offer disguised as a mere "modification"?
Public school services for special education students extended. PA 095-0014 September 2007 Illinois Law Update, Page 460 The Illinois General Assembly has amended the School Code to provide extended access to public school education for special education students.
SLAPP suits take a hit By Helen W. Gunnarsson September 2007 Lawpulse, Page 454 A new bill would discourage developers and others from suing - and thus trying to silence - opponents of their subdivisions, landfills, and the like.
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