Construction Law

(Andersson, R-Geneva; Mulroe, D-Chicago) creates the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act. The Act would standardize court-filing fees and fines into 13 schedules of potential assessments for criminal and traffic offenses and four schedules for civil court cases. The Act also caps the maximum amount of money that can be assessed under each schedule and for various services or filings within the court process. The money collected under these assessment schedules would then be distributed at the state, county, and local levels for officials to decide how to best allocate their portion for maintaining the courts. It would also provide a sliding-scale waiver for some civil litigants and criminal defendants depending on their income relative to the federal poverty level. It has an immediate effective date for part of it and a delayed effective date for most of it.

(Harmon, D-Oak Park; Feigenholtz, D-Chicago) includes registered interior designers under this Act. Effective August 17, 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.

(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. 

(Thapedi, D-Chicago; Mulroe, D-Chicago) amends the Home Repair and Remodeling Act to make the consumer-rights brochure more explanatory for homeowners, contractors, and lawyers. It makes no changes to substantive law. Effective January 1, 2019.

(Halpin, D-Rock Island; Raoul, D-Chicago) provides that if a written lease specifies costs, they must be for damage beyond normal wear and tear and reasonable to restore the leased premises to the same condition at the time the lease began. Effective July 31, 2018. 

(Althoff, R-Crystal Lake; Martwick, D-Chicago) provides 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. Passed both chambers.

(Breen, R-Lombard; Curran, R-Woodridge) amends the Counties Code, the Municipal Code, and the Township Code affecting provisions regarding building or structure zoning violations. Prohibits any suit against a unit of government or its officials for any act relating to zoning administration, enforcement, or implementation or any ordinance, resolution, or other zoning regulation. Makes an exception for property owned by the unit of government.

Effective June 29, 2018. 

(Castro, D-Elgin; Mah, D-Chicago) prohibits a landlord from (1) threatening to disclose or disclosing information regarding the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant to any person with the intent of harassing or intimidating the tenant for exercising his or her rights; or (2) bring an action to recover possession of a dwelling unit based solely or in part on the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant. A landlord is not liable for complying with the law or a court order. A similar affirmative defense is created as a defense to an eviction action. Passed both chambers. 

(Andersson, R-Geneva; Mulroe, D-Chicago) creates the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act. The Act would standardize court-filing fees and fines into 13 schedules of potential assessments for criminal and traffic offenses, and four schedules for civil court cases, which are divided by the kind of offense or case. The Act also caps the maximum amount of money that can be assessed under each schedule and for various services or filings within the court process. The money collected under these assessment schedules would then be distributed at the state, county, and local levels for officials to decide how to best allocate their portion for maintaining the courts. House Bill 4594 would also provide a sliding-scale waiver for some civil litigants and criminal defendants depending on their income relative to the federal poverty level. House Bill 544 (Mulroe, D-Chicago; Andersson, R-Geneva) is a trailer bill to resolve technical concerns. Both bills passed both chambers.