Traffic/DUI

(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. 

(Arroyo, D-Chicago; Martinez, D-Chicago) requires the General Assembly to redraw the subcircuit boundaries after every federal decennial census. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. Applies to Cook County and the 12th, 16th, 17th, 19th, and 22nd districts. In accordance with existing law, a resident judgeship assigned to a subcircuit shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit. Any vacancy in a resident judgeship existing on or occurring after the effective date of a law redrawing the boundaries of the subcircuits shall be filled by a resident of the redrawn subcircuit.

Effective January 1, 2020.

(Harmon, D-Oak Park) provides shorthand reporting includes the making of a verbatim record by the use of closed microphone voice dictation silencer and pen shorthand writing. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may certify an applicant who is a certified verbatim reporter or registered professional reporter of another jurisdiction as a certified shorthand reporter. Scheduled for hearing next week in the Senate Licensed Activities Committee. 

(Villa, D-Batavia) mandates that the Secretary of State require the use of ignition interlock devices for a period not less than five years on all vehicles owned by a person who has been convicted of a first (rather than second or subsequent) offense for driving under the influence. Scheduled for hearing next Wednesday in House Transportation Committee.