Traffic/DUI

(Cabello, R-Rockford) prohibits a guilty plea from being taken unless the court explains the following to the defendant: (1) the maximum and minimum penalty provided by law for the offense which may be imposed by the court (rather than the consequences of the plea and the maximum penalty provided by law for the offense which may be imposed by the court); (2) any possible increased sentence by reason of the fact of a prior conviction or future conviction and any possibility of the imposition of consecutive sentences; (3) any registration requirement that accompanies the plea and the restrictions associated with the registration; and (4) the consequences of the plea on a defendant’s ability to: (a) retain or obtain housing in the public or private market; (b) acquire loans for educational or other purposes; (c) enroll in certain degree programs; (d) retain or obtain employment; (e) retain or obtain an occupational or driver's license; (f) possess a firearm; and (g) retain or obtain custody of a child. Scheduled for hearing next Tuesday in House Criminal Law Committee.

(Christian Mitchell, D-Chicago) allows a court, on the motion of court-appointed counsel, to conduct a hearing on the amount of payment to court-appointed counsel. Under current law the State’s Attorney or the court may now make this motion. This bill adds the court-appointed counsel as well. Assigned to House Rules Committee.

(Haine, D-Alton) lifts the ceiling for the court-services fee that is now at $25. It can be increased to more than $25 if accompanied by an acceptable cost study per statute. The court-services fee is dedicated to the the county sheriff for court security and applies to civil pleadings and criminal convictions. Just introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Assignments.

(Althoff, R-McHenry) amends the Counties Code to allow defaulted fines or penalties or installments of either to be collected by any means authorized for the collection of monetary judgments. Allows the state’s attorney to retain attorneys and private collection agents to do the collections. Charges their fees against the offender. Just introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Assignments.

(Wheeler, R-Cystal Lake) amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to require a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 consecutive days if a person is convicted of driving on a revoked or suspended license for driving under the influence or a statutory summary suspension if there is any amount of alcohol or illegal drug in his or her breath, blood, or urine. Just introduced and referred to House Rules Committee.

(Brady, R-Normal) amends the Clerks of Courts Act to allow the circuit court clerk to reasonably rely upon any notice of the party’s change of address received from the United States Postal Service as a true and correct statement of the party’s current residential address. Applies to any notification required by law to be made by the circuit clerk to a party. Just introduced and referred to House Rules Committee.