New IL Laws In Effect … All 237 of Them!

It's one thing when a few new laws effect a state. it's another when there are 237 NEW laws. Which ones involve you?

I was surprised with the number of new laws that took effect on the 1st this year. Here are some that you may be interested in or haven't heard of yet:

Another new law taking effect Jan. 1, spearheaded by Sen. Kyle McCarter, goes after designer drug manufacturers. SB 1129/PA 99-0371 combats dangerous synthetic or designer street drugs by targeting how they are made and allowing prosecutors to not have to wait as long for lab tests to show if the synthetic drug involved was illegal.

 

The sale of powdered caffeine to anyone younger than 18 and the sale of products consisting of or containing powdered alcohol will be prohibited under two new laws (SB 9/PA 99-0050 and SB 67/PA 99-0051).

 

Those who call 9-1-1 in 2016 better be sure it’s a legitimate emergency. Individuals convicted of making false or prank calls to 9-1-1 call centers or making other false reports to emergency responders could be held responsible for reimbursing the costs incurred by the responding emergency agency under HB 3988/PA 99-0160.

 

As more police officers start to use body cameras, SB 1304/PA 99-0352 establishes new rules and regulations for officers who use the technology. The new law requires police officers who wear a body camera, to keep it on when conducting any law enforcement activities, among other rules.

 

Individuals who continue to endanger citizens on Illinois roadways by repeatedly driving under the influence of alcohol, will have another barrier that can prevent them from getting back behind the wheel.  Sen. Jason Barickman’s SB 627/PA 99-0467 requires individuals convicted of two or more DUIs or reckless homicide convictions to install a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device as a condition of a Restricted Driving Permit.

 

Humane Care for Animals (SB 125/PA 99-0311): States that, “No owner of a dog or cat may expose the dog or cat in a manner that places the dog or cat in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat or cold conditions.”

 

Home Kitchens (HB 2486/PA 99-0191): Provides that a home kitchen operation does not include a person who produces or packages non-potentially hazardous baked goods for sale by a religious, charitable, or nonprofit organization for fundraising purposes.

 

Human Trafficking Notices (HB 2556/PA 99-0099): Creates the Human Trafficking Resource Center Notice Act. Businesses and establishments that are prime “hot spots” for human trafficking are required to post a notice with information about the National Human Trafficking Resource Center and the hotline number.

 

New Business Website (SB 659/PA 99-0134): Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to create and maintain a website to help anyone wishing to start a business in Illinois or relocate a business in Illinois.

 

Breastfeeding Airport Accommodations (SB 344/PA 99-0228): Requires airports that have more than 1,000,000 enplanements a year to provide a location, by Jan. 1, 2017, at each terminal behind the security screening area for women to express breast milk in private. The location must include a chair and an electrical outlet and be outside the confines of a public restroom. Requires smaller airports that have fewer than 1,000,000 enplanements a year to comply with this requirement upon new terminal construction, expansion or renovation. Upon construction of a new terminal, expansion or renovation, the airport must provide a sink in any room designated for nursing mothers.

 

Parentage Act of 2015 (HB 1531/PA 99-0085): Comprehensive re-write of Illinois parentage law. The Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 is created to guide establishment of a parent-child relationship, to authorize genetic testing, to establish procedures regarding parentage of a child of assisted reproduction, and to provide for establishment of child support obligations. The Illinois Parentage Act and the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 are repealed.

Get the entire list of all 237 new Illinois laws HERE.