Section Activities Summary

ISBA Central Discussions

Legislation

The Section Council reviewed 103 bills that may affect their members’ practice area. Highlights of the most recent legislative session include:

• Senate Bill 3484 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Sets forth titling requirements for (i) a motor driven cycle that is powered by an electric motor with a nominal power rating of greater than 750 watts but less than or equal to 8,000 watts and (ii) a gas-powered bicycle capable of operating at speeds greater than 28 miles per hour. Excludes electric micromobility devices from titling, registration, license or permit, and liability insurance policy requirements. Establishes signage requirements notifying users of areas where the operation of motor driven cycles is strictly prohibited. Sets forth the operation of toy vehicles, motor driven cycles, and electric micromobility devices in the State. Prohibits low-speed gas bicycles and low-speed electric bicycles from being operated by a person under the age of 18 with a passenger unless the passenger is a sibling, stepsibling, child, or stepchild of the operator. Establishes where a low-speed gas bicycle may be operated. Allows the Department of Natural Resources and park districts, forest preserve districts, conservation districts, and transit districts to regulate the use of low-speed electric bicycles on their properties. Effective January 1, 2027.
• House Bill 4217 amends the Officers and Employees Article of the Counties Code. Allows a public defender who is representing a client in a criminal case to also represent the client in a statutory summary suspension proceeding under a specified provision in the Illinois Vehicle Code arising from the same arrest. Effective January 1, 2027.
• House Bill 4428 amends the Pretrial Services Act. Key changes include the addition of new powers and duties for the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services, such as creating and managing grant initiatives to support pretrial services and providing financial assistance to eligible entities. The Office is also authorized to reimburse counties for reasonable pretrial expenses, subject to established criteria and available funding. Additionally, the pretrial services agency is required to notify supervised individuals of their court appearance obligations through multiple text messages and maintain records of these notifications. It mandates an analysis by the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services to identify effective methods for establishing court date reminders for all individuals charged with criminal offenses in Illinois. This analysis will assess existing notification systems, their effectiveness, and the practicality of implementing such systems in circuit courts that currently lack them. The Office is tasked with reporting its findings to the General Assembly, Governor, and Supreme Court by December 31, 2026, to inform potential legislative changes in 2027.