Sacrificing Liberty for Security
November 24, 2015
Landlords: Beware of Bad Tenants
January 15, 2016
16 New Illinois Laws for 2016
The new year will add 237 new laws to the books in Illinois. Among the new laws, are 16 listed below, which may be of interest, anticipation or regret to the residents of Illinois.
- Play with the Police and Pay. Anyone convicted of disorderly conduct, involving calling 911 to make a false report, false alarm or complaint, will be required to reimburse the local government for costs up to $10,000. (P.A. 99-0160)
- Powdered Caffeine Not for Kids. Unlawful to sell, give or provide powdered pure caffeine to anyone under age 18. (P.A. 99-0050)
- You May be Illegal, but You Can Be My Lawyer. Undocumented residents and the children of immigrants, not citizens of the United States, can now receive a license to practice law in Illinois. (P.A. 99-0419)
- Airport Accommodations for Nursing Moms. Large and newly constructed or renovated airports must provide a designated room for traveling moms to nurse and pump in private. (P.A. 99-0228)
- See the Garbage Truck. Waste service vehicles can now be equipped with amber oscillating, rotating or flashing lights. (P.A. 99-0125)
- Slow Road for Repeat DUI Offenders to Regain Driver’s License. A person with two or more DUI convictions cannot apply for a driver’s license until first getting a restricted driving permit and using an ignition interlock device for at least 5 years without any serious violations. (P.A. 99-0296)
- I Got a Guy Who Can Get Some Tickets. Ticket brokers have increased disclosure requirements and must have a refund policy. (P.A. 99-0431)
- Are All the Medical Providers in My Network? Hospitals cannot charge patients more for out of network surgical assistants than in network. (P.A. 99-0100)
- Sarah, Patch Me Through to . . . Condo association members can participate in meetings over the phone or other electronic means. (P.A.-0472)
- Keep an Eye On Grandpa. Residents of nursing homes or their representatives may use surveillance systems in their rooms at their own expense. (P.A. 99-0430)
- A Second Chance, Someday. A young offender under 18 years of age at the time of the crime, cannot be sentenced to mandatory natural life imprisonment, and the judge shall consider the juvenile’s potential for rehabilitation prior to imposing sentence. (P.A. 99-0069)
- Free License Plates for Veterans. Fees no longer required for veterans seeking Korean War Veteran, Iraq Campaign or Afghanistan Campaign license plates. (P.A. 99-0127)
- Not Everyone Can Be a Music Therapist. Music Therapists must now be licensed by the Music Therapy Advisory Board within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. (P.A. 99-0397)
- I Told You It Wasn’t Me! A law enforcement agency that makes an arrest as a result of mistaken identity and does not file charges, shall destroy the arrest records of that person within 180 days. (P.A. 99-0363)
- I Feel Pretty. No mental health provider shall engage in sexual orientation change efforts with a person under the age of 18. (P.A. 99-0411)
- A Reasonable Service Charge for the Clerk of the Court. In Cook County only, the Clerk may not keep more than $100 of the bail bond money (reduced from 10%). (P.A. 99-0412)
For anyone wishing to read the full text of the new laws, you can refer to the cited Public Act (P.A.) on the Illinois General Assembly website.