Laws change every year, including 27 new laws for Illinois in 2017. That’s why our attorneys at O’Dekirk, Allred and Associates in Joliet stay on top of those changes, whether it involves criminal charges, divorce, child support, custody, personal injury, residential real estate, driver’s license reinstatement, or anything in between. Our firm is committed to fighting relentlessly for every client. Let’s take a look at 27 new laws that took effect on January 1 of this year.
Honorary Highway Designation for Veterans
HB 4344-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, D-Joliet
This law makes it easier for families of veterans killed in action to apply for an honorary designation on state roadways.
Password Privacy for Social Media
HB 4999-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Michael Connelly, R-Lisle
This law strengthens our current law which prohibits employers from accessing employees’ social media passwords.
Adoption of Police Dogs
SB 3129-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park
This law gives police officers the first preference to adopt their police dogs. This is intended to ensure retiring police dogs can remain a part of the officer’s family.
Fines for Failure to Stop at Railroad Crossing
SB 2806-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Karen McConnaughay, R-St. Charles
This law increases fines for failing to stop at a railroad crossing when the warning gates and lights are activated.
Domestic Violence Training for Cosmetologists
HB 4264-Senate Sponsor-Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago
This law trains cosmetologists, nail technicians, hair braiders, and estheticians to look for signs of domestic violence. As part of their licensure renewal process, it requires them to take a one-hour continuing education class studying domestic violence and sexual assault.
Visitation Rights for Grandparents
HB 5656-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Pamela Althoff, R-Crystal Lake
This law gives grandparents and great-grandparents visitation with their grandkids who are in DCFS custody.
Tax on Feminine Products
SB 2746-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake
This law updates the Illinois tax codes to ensure that essential women’s health products like feminine pads and tampons are not charged the same sales tax as shampoo.
Increasing Eligibility for School Breakfast Program
SB 2393-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park
This law creates a Breakfast after the Bell program which enables more students to be eligible for school breakfast.
Minors and Hunting Laws
SB 2410-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Neil Anderson, R-East Moline
This law lets minors trap game without taking the hunter training course if they have someone who is at least 21-years-old with them.
Fishing for Catfish
HB 5788-Senate Sponsor: Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville
The law allows people fishing to use a pitchfork, underwater spear gun, or a bow and arrow to catch catfish.
Access and Training for Epinephrine
HB 4462-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Chris Nybo, R-Elmhurst
This law creates increased access and training for the use of epinephrine auto-injectors.
Lead Levels
SB 2300-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago
This law prevents the release or sale of properties with high lead levels until it’s mitigated and the property is safe. Older homes are more likely to contain lead and children are more susceptible to poisoning.
Birth Control Coverage
HB 5576- Senate Sponsor: Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D-Steger
This law makes a seamless process for all women to access birth control without additional costs by making Illinois insurance companies provide coverage for almost all FDA-approved contraceptive choices. Insurance companies must cover up to 12 months of contraceptives at a time.
Lobbying Groups and Taxpayer-Funded Pensions.
HB 4259-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, D-Joliet
This law makes lobbying groups ineligible to receive taxpayer-funded pensions.
Legal Counsel for Minors Charged with Murder
SB 2370-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, D-Chicago
This law requires legal counsel during the interrogation of minors who are under the age of 15 and charged with murder.
Forbids Medical Providers Refusing Treatments for Religious Objections
SB 1564-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston
This law updates the Illinois’ Health Care Right of Conscience law, which forbids medical providers from refusing certain medical treatments based on religious objections. Under this new law, medical patients and women in particular, will be better informed about their medical care.
Sexual Assault Crimes Prosecution
SB 3096-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Scott Bennett, D-Chicago
This law improves and increases reporting, investigation, and prosecution of sexual assault crimes in Illinois. It provides a longer time for victims to request a rape kit, speeds up forensic testing, and requires more detailed reporting of sexual assault cases by law enforcement.
Flexibility in Employee Sick Time
HB 6162-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins, D-Chicago
This law makes employers give their workers greater flexibility in using their sick time. A company giving sick leave to employees must allow them to use up to half of their allotted time to attend to the medical needs of family members.
Video Recording Allowed
SB 629- Senate Sponsor: Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston
This law lets vehicles that transport people or goods on a contractual basis to have a video recorder operating, but they must post a notice letting passengers know their conversations may be recorded.
Prohibiting Non-Compete Agreements
SB 3163- Senate Sponsor: Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, D-Chicago
This law prevents any company from asking a worker paid less than $13.50 an hour to sign a non-compete agreement.
Excused from School to Play Taps
HB 4432- Senate Sponsor: Sen. Chuck Weaver, R-Peoria
This law excuses students from school to play Taps at a military funeral.
Probation for Non-Violent Offenders
SB 3164-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Michael Connelly, R-Lisle
This law gives more flexibility in granting probation for certain non-violent offenders.
No Bath Salts
SB 210-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill
This law stops retailers from selling the type of drug known as bath salts.
Court Closed Circuit TV for Children Testifying
SB 2880-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Michael Connelly, R-Lisle
This law lets child victims of battery or domestic abuse testify using closed circuit television, instead of being in the courtroom.
Cash to Post Bail
SB 2907-Senate Sponsor: Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford
This law makes law enforcement officials accept cash to post bail. This law was in response to a credit card machine malfunction at a county jail keeping a man locked up over a weekend for a minor offense.
If you have any questions about these 27 new laws for Illinois in 2017 or any legal concerns, contact our attorneys at O’Dekirk, Allred and Associates in Joliet who have experience and extensive knowledge. We specialize in criminal cases, divorce, child support, custody, personal injury, residential real estate, driver’s license reinstatement, and everything in between. We will vigorously fight on your behalf. Contact us today so we can discuss your specific legal needs.