Subject Index Legislation

New law fine-tunes child rep statute

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
October
2005
LawPulse
, Page 498
A new act seeks to clear up confusion about the differing roles of attorney, GAL, and child representative, and expressly authorizes judges to order divorcing spouses into counseling.

Registry of health care professionals to be maintained - PA094-0308

October
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 506
Beginning on July 22, 2005, the Department of Public Health is required to compile a registry of all active health care professionals. 

Stairwell access requirements amended - PA094-0630

October
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 506
On August 19, 2005, the Public Building Egress Act (425 ILCS 55/1 et seq) (Act) was amended by adding section 1.5, which addresses access to buildings via stairwell doors.

A bouquet of business-friendly bills

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
September
2005
LawPulse
, Page 438
Thanks to the Illinois General Assembly, purveyors of business advice have good news to deliver to their clients.

Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act amended for added consumer protection - PA 094-0074

September
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 446
The Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (Act) (815 ILCS 505/1 et seq) has been altered in an effort to provide heightened protection to the credit information of Illinois consumers.

Mortgage Escrow Account Act expands “mortgage lenders” and notice requirements - PA 094-0050

September
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 446
On June 17, 2005, the Mortgage Escrow Account Act (Act) (765 ILCS 910/1 et seq) was modified from its original form so as to broaden the scope of "mortgage lender" to include savings banks, credit unions, mortgage bankers, and one who services the loan.

Reporting requirements defined for appointees with interests in state contracts

September
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 446
Part 565 of Title 2 was recently amended to add information on reporting requirements for State appointees under the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act ("Act"). 

2005 Illinois Spring Session Roundup

By Jim Covington
August
2005
Column
, Page 394
Brief summaries of bills lawyers should know about.

Employees required to report misappropriation of residents’ property in nursing homes - PA 094-0026

August
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 390
Effective January 1, 2006, the Nursing Home Care Act ("Act") is amended by adding new section 1-116.5 and altering section 3-610. 

More protection for children under the age of 9 years - PA 094-0011

August
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 390
On June 8, 2005, the Children's Product Safety Act ("Act") is amended by raising the age of children protected under the Act from under the age of 6 years, to any child under the age of 9 years. 

Uniformity required in reporting patient claims and data - PA 094-0027

August
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 390
The Illinois Health Finance Reform Act (20 ILCS 2215/4-2) is revised for the Department of Public Health ("Department") to require all hospitals and ambulatory surgical treatment centers licensed to operate in the State of Illinois.

Business acts amended for improved consumer protection - PA 093-0950

July
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 336
The Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (815 ILCS 505) consists of modified stipulations concerning automatic contract renewals.

Child Curfew Act amended - PA 093-1092

June
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 280
On March 29, 2005, the Illinois legislature amended The Child Curfew Act, 720 ILCS 555, and adopted precise definitions confining the activities of youth outside the home to specified time parameters, while recognizing viable defenses to violations and guiding actions of enforcement.

Collection agencies may not collect fees to recover child support payments - PA 093-0896

June
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 280
A collection agency may not impose a fee or charge, including costs, for any child support payments collected through the efforts of a federal, state, or local government agency.

Mandatory minimum sentence increased for domestic battery - PA 093-0809

June
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 280
Effective on January 1, 2005, in addition to any other sentencing alternatives for a second or subsequent conviction for domestic battery, an individual will be automatically sentenced to a minimum of 72 consecutive hours in prison.

Reporting requirements increased for sex offenders - PA 093-0885

June
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 280
Notice must now be given if there is an escape, death, or court-ordered change in the custody status of a detainee or a civilly committed sexually violent person.

Criminal records relating to certain offenses may be sealed PA 093-1084

May
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 232
The State has authorized the sealing of certain criminal records of adults and of minors who were prosecuted as adults

Illinois responds to hunger in schoolchildren by mandating food service programs—PA 093-1086

May
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 232
In response to the problems of hunger and food insecurity facing Illinois families as a result of increasing unemployment, the Childhood Hunger Relief Act was passed on February 15, 2005, as a means of alleviating malnutrition and promoting academic achievement in low-income children. 

The New Illinois Gestational Surrogacy Act

By Nancy Ford
May
2005
Article
, Page 240
In Illinois, a recently enacted statute governs would-be parents' contracts with surrogate mothers. Here's a look at what the new law does and doesn't do.

Child’s Representative Statute Held Unconstitutional

By H. Joseph Gitlin
April
2005
Column
, Page 212
The implications of In re Marriage of Bates.

Illinois criminalizes the use of audio-visual recording equipment to tape movies inside movie theaters PA 093-0804

April
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 170
Effective immediately, any person who knowingly operates an audiovisual recording function on a device where a motion picture is being exhibited, without permission from the owner or lessee of the exhibition facility and of the licensor of the motion picture being exhibited, is guilty of criminal use of a motion picture exhibition facility.

New Act seeks to address public health crisis regarding suicides—PA 093-0907

April
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 170
On August 11, 2004, Illinois adopted the Suicide Prevention, Education, and Treatment Act in an effort to address this crucial public health concern, which ranks tenth among causes of death nationally. 

Study will investigate possible small employer health insurance pools PA 093-0824

April
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 170
Effective immediately, the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Board will conduct a feasibility study of establishing a small employer health insurance pool.

Additions made to activities child sex offenders may not engage in PA 093-0905

March
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 116
Effective January 1, 2005, it is unlawful for a child sex offender to knowingly conduct or operate any type of business in which he or she photographs, videotapes, or takes a digital image of a child. 

The gay rights amendment: It’s the law

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
March
2005
LawPulse
, Page 110
The Illinois Human Rights Act now prohibits many kinds of discrimination against homosexuals, a fact of which you should apprise your clients – whether they like it or not.

Investigators in capital cases may obtain criminal information on potential witnesses PA 093-1011

March
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 116
Effective January 1, 2005, the State Appellate Defender may hire investigators to provide investigative services to appointed counsel and county public defenders. 

“Killed in the Line of Duty” classification expanded PA 093-1073

March
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 116
Effective January 18, 2005, the Line of Duty Compensation Act (820 ILCS 315) is amended to include certain revisions to sections 2 and 3, respectively.

New guidelines for adult entertainment facilities PA 093-1056

March
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 116
Effective November 23, 2004, the Counties Code (55 ILCS 5) was amended by changing section 5-1097.5 to prohibit adult entertainment facilities from locating within 3,000 feet of the property boundaries of any school, day care center, cemetery, public park, forest preserve, public housing, and place of religious worship.

Procedural and practice rules promulgated for voluntary mediation of public utility disputes

March
2005
Illinois Law Update
, Page 116
  The Illinois Commerce Commission recently adopted 83 Ill Adm Code 201, dealing with voluntary mediation practice in the resolution of public utilities disputes. 

So, does that statute apply to my case?

By Helen W. Gunnarsson
March
2005
LawPulse
, Page 110
It's often hard to tell exactly when a statute takes effect, but the Illinois Legislative Reference Bureau offers guidance for legislative drafters and practicing lawyers.

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