The state will be rolling out 152 new laws on January 1, most of which won't be noticeable, but there are some you should know about.
1. There will be a 2 dollar increase in license plate fees. Half the 20-22 million in increased revenue generated from this will go to the Department of Natural Resources and the other half to maintenance in state parks.
2. HIgher fines will be in effect for those who take advantage of handicapped parking spaces. A first offense will result in the suspension of the drivers license for up to 60 days and a second offense provides for a one year suspension and a $1000 fine.
3. Surcharge increase at Adult Entertainment venues, or as they are called, strip clubs which serve alcohol. The businesses could pay a 3 dollar per customer or a 5000 to 25,000 surcharge depending on on sales.
4. Caylee's Law: it will be a Class 4 felony in Illinois if a parent or guardian fails to report a child age 13 and under missing within 24 hours. Children 2 and under must be reported missing within an hour.
5. prohibits the use of cell phones while driving in any construction or maintenance zone, not just those with speed restrictions. Another new law says drivers of commercial motor vehicles cannot use handheld mobile devices while driving, with only a couple of exceptions.
6. Illinois businesses will no longer require employees or prospective employees to provide information that allows the company to gain access to a person’s social networking site on the Internet.
7. It will no longer be legal to own, sell, trade or distribute shark fins.
8. A package of laws intended to prevent elder abuse
9. Julie's Law: The law prohibits courts from granting supervision to any defendant
charged with operating a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than 30
mph over the posted speed limit, or in excess of 25 mph in an urban
district.
10. House Bill 5099 prohibits motorists from using mobile phones when driving within 500
feet of an emergency scene, and expands the definition of “electronic
message.” The legislation will reduce distracted driving by banning
talking and taking photos on a mobile device near an emergency scene.
11. tougher penalties for child-sex crimes, including barring convicted sex
offenders from participating in holiday events that involve children,
such as giving candy to trick-or-treaters and dressing up as Santa
Claus. Another law increases the age of a victim of child luring to 17
and makes it a felony if the teenager is traveling to or from school.
Accompanying that measure is one that categorizes anyone convicted of
luring a minor as a sexual predator. Another law enhances child
pornography penalties if the child is younger than 13.
12. New law allows a judge to freeze the assets of someone charged with financial
exploitation of a senior or a person with a disability in case
restitution is ordered.
13. Law allowing law enforcement officers to use wiretaps or other eavesdropping
measures during a felony drug investigation if approved by a state's
attorney instead of a judge.
14. Law banning the use of taxpayer or tuition dollars to conduct a college
hiring search except for a university president or in a case where the
president and trustees can show a need.
Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2012/12/27/2440126/new-laws-cover-everything-from.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2012/12/27/2440126/new-laws-cover-everything-from.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2012/12/27/2440126/new-laws-cover-everything-from.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2012/12/27/2440126/new-laws-cover-everything-from.html#storylink=cpy
