In August, Gov. Ryan signed into law Senate Bill 433, which amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act to clarify the current uncertainty about division and evaluation of stock options in dissolution of marriage cases.

In some Illinois jurisdictions, nonviolent drug offenders have the option of participating in "drug court" rather than going to jail.

In July, Gov. George H. Ryan signed legislation amending the Probate Act of 1975.

In addition to signing Senate Bill 98 requiring drivers to ensure that seat belts are used for children under 16, Gov. Ryan signed Senate Bill 403.

In late July, Gov. Ryan signed into law Senate Bill 98, which amends the Child Passenger Protection Act. The new legislation requires drivers to ensure all passengers four years of age or older, but under 16, are secured by either seat belts or restraint systems in a vehicle.

When Gov. Ryan signed P.A. 91-871 (governing evidence retention) in June of 2000, he expressed concerns with a number of provisions in the law including overbroad application to all physical evidence, arbitrary time limits for retention of evidence and unclear guidelines for the court in granting requests for early disposition of evidence.

Gov. George H. Ryan approved legislation in August that will place ecstasy and other "club drugs" on par with controlled substances such as cocaine, heroin, morphine, methamphetamines, and LSD.

Gov. Ryan recently approved legislation amending the requirements for creating a tenancy by the entirety.

New legislation makes it more difficult for defendants to invoke the intoxication defense.

Legislation signed by Gov. Ryan in August authorizes a deduction equal to a taxpayer's contribution to a Bright Start College Savings Program account.

In July, Gov. Ryan signed legislation authorizing courts to notify schools (including public and private schools and colleges and universities) and day-care facilities if a child is the subject of an order of protection.

Gov. Ryan recently signed legislation expanding the hearsay exception for incapacitated seniors.

In late June, Gov. George H. Ryan signed into law House Bill 2900, which re-writes the Telecommunications Article of the Public Utilities Act.

The General Assembly approved a measure to decrease abuse of handicapped-parking placards. The measure would narrow the definition of "person with disabilities."

Before adjourning, the General Assembly sent a number of bills to Gov. Ryan to amend the Illinois Vehicle Code.

The General Assembly has also approved a measure that would increase penalties for persons convicted of driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license.

Senate Bill 627 would create a traffic ticket parent notification pilot program in DuPage, Kendall and Sangamon Counties beginning on January 1, 2002, and ending on December 31, 2003.

Senate Bill 823 would increase penalties for repeat drunk driving offenders, including mandating the use of ignition interlock devices on vehicles owned by individuals convicted of a second or subsequent DUI violation.

Under House Bill 2161, a person under the age of 18 charged with a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code or Criminal Code of 1961 arising out of a serious auto accident may be denied a driver's license.

The General Assembly has approved legislation that would temporarily revoke the driver's licenses of individuals who are convicted of reckless homicide.

The General Assembly approved a new gun control measure that would require convicted felons to surrender their guns and Firearm Ownership Identification Cards before going to prison.

The General Assembly recently approved a measure that will make perpetrators of gang-related murders eligible for the death penalty.

The General Assembly has approved an amendment to the misidentification statute in the Code of Civil Procedure.

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If signed into law, legislation recently passed by both houses of the Illinois General Assembly would provide greater protection for abused spouses.