Agricultural Law

(Fine, D-Glenview; Morgan, D-Highwood) amends the medical cannabis law to expand the definition of “debilitating medical condition” to include autism, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, osteoarthritis, anorexia nervosa, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Neuro-Behcet’s Autoimmune Disease, neuropathy, polycystic kidney disease, and superior canal dehiscence syndrome. “Certifying health care professional” is redefined to mean a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant. Passed both chambers. If signed into law by the Governor, it takes effect immediately. 

(Cassidy, D-Chicago; Steans, D-Chicago) decriminalizes possession of small amounts of cannabis and replaces it with a tax and regulation system. A resident of Illinois (21 or older) may purchase cannabis products and possess 30 grams of cannabis flower, no more than 500 mg of THC in cannabis-infused product, and five grams of cannabis concentrate. It creates an automatic expungement through the governor’s clemency process for convictions up to 30 grams. For amounts of 30-500 grams, the state’s attorney or the individual can petition the court to vacate the conviction. Makes other changes. Passed both chambers. If signed into law, it takes effect on January 1, 2020. A more comprehensive summary may be found at the Marijuana Policy Project here. 

(Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview) amends the Code of Civil Procedure to provide that unless the action is governed by the procedures or provisions of another statute, a person suffering legal wrong because of a final administrative decision, or adversely affected or aggrieved by a final administrative decision, is entitled to judicial review of the final administrative decision to the same extent, with the same rights and the same responsibilities, as a person who is a party. The only exception is that this person is not entitled to relief if there was a previous public hearing at which the person failed to present his or her position. To the extent necessary, the person may provide new or additional evidence to the court for the limited purpose of demonstrating the legal wrong or adverse effect or impairment that he or she has experienced or may experience as a result of the final administrative decision.

These new provisions are limited to final administrative permitting decisions made by the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Public Health, or Department of Transportation that impact the public trust in the waters and lands of this State, State parks or natural areas, threatened or endangered species, surface or ground water quality, air quality, or other matters affecting the right to a healthful environment under the Illinois Constitution. 

For purposes of this Section, "adversely affected or aggrieved" means a plaintiff demonstrates: (1) an injury-in-fact that is concrete and particularized, actual, and imminent; (2) a causal connection between the plaintiff's injury and the defendant's conduct; and (3) a likelihood that a decision in the plaintiff's favor would redress the injury. 

House Bill 2839 is scheduled for hearing next week in House Judiciary Committee. 

(Ford, D-Chicago; Castro, D-Elgin) create a three-year pilot program that allows the recorder of deeds to establish an administrative law process to adjudicate expired mechanic’s liens that have been recorded but not litigated or released under the Mechanics Lien Act.

Effective January 1, 2019.

(Mulroe, D-Chicago; Martwick, D-Chicago) amends the Code of Civil Procedure to provide that the court’s jurisdiction is not affected by a technical error in format of a summons if the summons has been issued by a clerk of the court, the person or entity to be served is identified as a defendant on the summons, and the summons is properly served.

Actions for the recovery of real property following a foreclosure must be brought within two years after possession is taken. If a petition is filed to reopen a foreclosure proceeding, the purchaser or successor purchaser is entitled to remain in possession of the property until the foreclosure action is defeated or the previously foreclosed defendant redeems from the foreclosure sale if the purchaser has been in possession of the property for more than six months. A purchaser in actual possession of lands or tenements following a foreclosure is adjudged to be the legal owner of the lands or tenements if he or she continues in possession for two successive years and pays all taxes legally during that time.

Amends the Mortgage Rescue Fraud Act to provide that it is a violation for a distressed-property consultant to, among other things, enter into, enforce, or act upon any agreement with a foreclosure defendant, whether the foreclosure is completed or otherwise, if the agreement provides for a division of proceeds between the foreclosure defendant and the distressed-property consultant derived from the foreclosure litigation.

Effective August 23, 2018. 

(Tracy, R-Quincy; Wheeler, R-North Aurora) creates authorization and requirements for using email as a method of service under this Act. Effective Jan. 1, 2019.

(Mulroe, D-Chicago; Welch, D-Westchester) deletes language requiring that a conveyance of real property to a trust include evidence of acceptance by the trustee and deletes language providing that if the transferor is a trustee of the trust, an interest in real property does not become trust property unless the instrument of conveyance is recorded in the office of the recorder of the county in which the property is located. Effective January 1, 2019. 

(Althoff, R-McHenry; Martwick, D-Chicago) amends the State Tax Lien Registration Act to provide that the notice of tax lien must also include the county or counties where the real property of the debtor to which the lien will attach is located. Provides that a tax lien that is filed in the registry must be attached to all of the existing and after-acquired real and personal property of the debtor. Effective August 3, 2018.