Traffic/DUI

(Hunter, D-Chicago; Ford, D-Chicago) gives the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) more flexibility when collecting interest on IV-D cases to give appropriate relief for obligors. The revisions to the Illinois Vehicle Code would eliminate the existing provision that does not allow the courts or HFS to work with obligors if their licenses are suspended more than once for nonpayment of child support. Effective August 9, 2019.

(Hammond, R-Macomb; Tracy, R-Quincy) authorizes the Secretary of State to suspend or revoke the driving privileges for 12 months of a person who has committed a violation involving the use of an electronic communication device while driving that resulted in great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement. It also requires a minimum fine of $1,000.

Effective July 1, 2020.

(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. Effective January 1, 2020. A more comprehensive summary may be found at the Marijuana Policy Project here. 

(D'Amico, D-Chicago; Castro, D-Elgin) makes it a moving violation for using an electronic communication device while operating a motor vehicle. A driver must be fined a maximum of $75 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, $125 for a third offense, and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense. Effective July 1, 2019.

(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. 

(Hunter, D-Chicago; Ford, D-Chicago) gives the Department of Healthcare and Family Services more flexibility on if and how it will collect interest on IV-D cases to give appropriate relief for obligors in the right cases. The revisions to the Illinois Vehicle Code would eliminate the existing provision that does not allow the courts or HFS to work with an obligor if their license is suspended more than once for non-payment of child support. Passed both chambers. Effective upon the Governor's signature.

(Harmon, D-Oak Park; Zalewski, D-Chicago) creates a licensed activity of the “practice of voice writer reporting.” This means reporting by the use of a system of repeating words of the speaker into a closed-microphone voice-dictation silencer that is capable of digital translation into text. It could be used for grand jury proceedings, court proceedings, court-related proceedings, pretrial examinations, depositions, motions, and related proceedings of like character. Passed both chambers.