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.
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.
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.
On June 19, 2000, the Illinois Department of State Police (department) adopted amendments and a new section to section 1280 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 20 Ill Adm Code 1280.
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.
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.
On June 15, 2000, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed first degree murder, attempted murder, and armed robbery convictions against Paris D. Sims, as well as a death sentence ordered by the circuit court of St. Clair County.
On April 5, 2000, the Illinois Department of Human Services adopted emergency amendments to section 50 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 89 Ill Adm Code 50.
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.
House Bill 3911 required Illinois law enforcement officers to record information about the race of motorists who received traffic or warning citations.
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.
On January 7, 2000, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority ("Authority") adopted emergency amendments to the Illinois Administrative Code. 20 Ill Adm Code 1560.
On December 23, 1999, the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer adopted emergency rules to section 725 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 74 Ill Adm Code 725.
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.
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.