New Law Improves Access to Public Meeting Information

WHEATON - July 19, 2012. As part of his ongoing efforts to increase government accountability and transparency, Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to strengthen the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The governor was joined at the ceremony, held in the DuPage County building council chambers, by local legislators and DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin. Governor Quinn is committed to restoring integrity to Illinois government.

"This law gives the public greater access to information and activities that impact their lives," Governor Quinn said. "Increasing government openness and accountability from the statewide level to the local level will make Illinois a stronger, more ethical state."

House Bill 4687, sponsored by Rep. Sandra Pihos (R-Glen Ellyn) and Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), requires public bodies conducting a public meeting to ensure that a copy of the meeting notice and agenda is available to the public for the entire 48 hours preceding the meeting. The measure specifies that public bodies can satisfy this requirement by posting the meeting notice on the Internet. The law also ensures that meeting agendas provide the public with adequate information about the meeting's actions.

"I applaud Governor Quinn's ongoing commitment to achieve more openness and greater transparency in Illinois government," Chairman Cronin said. "By bridging the information gap between government and taxpayers, we make meaningful progress in the effort to restore the trust of our residents and the integrity of state government."

"This new law will require all entities subject to the Open Meetings Act to provide a certain level of specificity when creating their agendas," said Rep. Pihos.

"I'm happy we were able to work together in a bipartisan way to close a loophole that didn't serve the public," Sen. Dillard said. "This measure will help the public be better informed about what their local governments are doing."

This legislation was inspired by a court case centered on an Illinois municipality that posted a meeting notice before the meeting but did so in a building that was locked on the weekends and not accessible to the public. This legislation closes that loophole by requiring online posting of meeting agendas that list meeting action items in such cases and which are continuously available. The law takes effect Jan. 1.

Since taking office, Governor Quinn has made improving ethics and increasing government transparency and accountability a top priority. In 2011, the governor signed new laws that hold local governments more accountable by requiring them to provide information such as finances, contracts and non-compliances to County Boards. Governor Quinn also launched Appointments.Illinois.Gov, Accountability.Illinois.Gov and Data.Illinois.Gov to bring more transparency to state appointments, contracts and salary information and public data collected by state and federal agencies.

New Laws Protect Consumers from False Charges, Help them Resolve Billing and Credit Issues and Increase Utility Choice

CHICAGO - July 18, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today continued his long history of fighting for consumers by signing four new laws that will increase protections for consumers. The new laws ban false phone charges known as "cramming," lower utility costs for consumers and help them resolve billing and credit issues to improve their credit scores. The governor was joined by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, legislators and members of the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), the consumer rights watchdog group founded by Governor Quinn 30 years ago.

"When everyday people work together for the common good, we can improve our state," Governor Quinn said. "We need to keep fighting for consumer rights in Illinois and ensure those rights are protected from those who would take advantage of them."

House Bill 5211, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park) and Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), would ban third-party vendors from charging customers for unwanted services, a practice known as cramming, starting Jan. 1, 2013. The bill was an initiative of the Attorney General's office, which found vendors using deceptive sales pitches and placing unauthorized charges on consumers' phone bills for things they never intended to buy including calling cards, voice mail service, credit repair services, extended warranties and toll-free numbers for free long distance service.

Most often, these charges range from $10 to $45 dollars and go undetected because consumers do not pay attention to all the details in their phone bills. According to the Attorney General's Office, phone bill "cramming" is a $2 billion a year business. An estimated 15 to 20 million American households receive at least 300 million third-party charges on their bills each year. Only about one out of every 20 cramming victims becomes aware of the charges.

"Today we can finally put an end to a pervasive scam that has allowed phone companies to rake in $2 billion a year by 'cramming' charges on subscribers' bills for unwanted and unused services," Attorney General Lisa Madigan said. "Far too many consumers have opened their monthly phone bills to find bogus charges they never authorized. I applaud the governor for his support of this law to stop to our phone numbers being used as credit cards by scammers."

"This is an important measure to save consumers from hassle," said Rep. Burke. "This new law will prevent lots of businesses, nonprofits and everyday citizens from encountering this practice."

"No one should have to pay for services they don't want and didn't order," said Sen. Koehler.  "The fact that 'cramming' scam artists target seniors and other vulnerable Illinois residents makes me especially proud that we are outlawing this practice."

Governor Quinn also signed three additional laws to require utilities to notify credit-reporting bureaus when billing issues have been resolved and allow townships to aggregate power purchasing, which will increase competition and lower costs. The new laws are designed to lower utility costs for consumers and help them resolve billing and credit issues.

House Bill 5025, sponsored by Rep. Joe Lyons (D-Chicago) and Sen. John Mulroe (D-Chicago) will help consumers resolve negative action on their credit scores by requiring public utilities to notify credit reporting agencies when a customer has paid off their outstanding balances in full. This measure will allow utility customers to be more quickly relieved of pressure from collection agencies and help them improve their credit scores. The law goes into effect Jan. 1.

Senate Bill 3170 sponsored by Rep. JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch) and Sen. Suzi Schmidt (R-Lake Villa), allows townships to participate in electrical aggregation the same way counties and municipalities can under current law. Aggregation allows for greater group energy purchasing, which increases competition and lowers costs for consumers. According to the Illinois Commerce Commission, more than 90 municipalities have become power aggregators since 2010, which has allowed for greater consumer savings. The law goes into effect immediately.

Senate Bill 3811, sponsored by Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park) and Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) protects the ability of certain groups to continue to benefit from "net metering," which allows customers who generate their own renewable energy to sell excess power back to an electricity provider. The new law takes into account the increased aggregation and alternative energy sources more Illinois communities are now using. The measure provides that net metering customers will be treated equally regardless of the competitiveness of their local energy market. The law goes into effect immediately.

Designates Every Nov. 14 to Highlight Diabetes Education, Prevention 

CHICAGO - July, 17, 2012. As part of his ongoing efforts to improve health and wellness in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today signed a law to raise awareness of diabetes. Under the new law, every Nov. 14 will be "Diabetes Awareness Day" in the state of Illinois. November is American Diabetes Month, and more than 800,000 Illinois residents are living with the disease, double the number 20 years ago.

"In order to prevent diabetes, we must continue to raise awareness and educate people about the importance of having a healthy, active lifestyle to lower the risk of developing diabetes," Governor Quinn said. "I would like to thank Leader Cross for his longtime commitment to increasing awareness and prevention of diabetes."

House Bill 5003 was sponsored by House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago). Cross is a member of the board of directors of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Illinois Chapter and founded the Illinois Diabetes Caucus.

"We've had tremendous support in the legislature and from our local and state diabetes communities to make today's law a reality. It is so important to know the risk factors of diabetes and to consult your doctor if you are experiencing them," said Cross.

"As a member of the Illinois Legislative Diabetes Caucus, I have led the effort to designate November 14 of each year as Diabetes Awareness Day in Illinois," said Hunter. "This and other initiatives, such as my work to reinsert the Diabetes Research Check-off Fund into next year's income tax form and exempt the check-off from being removed from the form in the future, helps to raise awareness of this dreadful disease while providing resources to combat it in the future. I applaud the governor for his leadership in signing this legislation."

Governor Quinn has long worked to encourage Illinois residents to adopt healthy lifestyles, which can help prevent diabetes from developing in some cases. "Diabetes Awareness Day" will help remind Illinois residents to make decisions - healthy eating, exercising and not smoking - to lower the risk of getting diabetes.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the number of Illinois residents who have diabetes has more than doubled over the past 20 years, reaching approximately 800,000 in 2011. The department also estimates that an additional 500,000 people are unaware they have the disease. Of Illinois adults with diabetes, 18.6 percent are 65 years of age or older. Diabetes-related care in Illinois costs around $7.3 billion each year.

Individuals who have diabetes have too much glucose in their blood, which can cause serious cardiovascular and nervous system problems. Although Type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes can occur at any age, the most commonly diagnosed form of diabetes is Type 2, formerly called "adult-onset" diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, non-traumatic lower-limb amputations and new cases of blindness among adults in the United States and is a major cause of heart disease and stroke.

Governor Quinn signed the new law at Edward Hospital. The Edward Diabetes Center provides counseling and education for individuals living with diabetes, including: Type 1 diabetes, pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes; La Diabetes, Spanish diabetes education; gestational diabetes; insulin pump therapy; glucose sensor training and medical nutrition therapy.

The Illinois Department of Public Health offers programs aimed at preventing diabetes, such as the Illinois Diabetes and Prevention Control Program and the Illinois Tobacco Quitline. For more information please visit: www.idph.state.il.us. The new law goes into effect immediately.

New Measures Strengthen Crime Victims' Rights and Streamlines Victim Compensation

CHICAGO - July 16, 2012.  Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by legislators, community leaders and crime victims as he signed three new laws to increase assistance for crime victims and their families. The measures signed today will strengthen crime victims' rights, ensure that victims know their rights under Illinois law, and simplify the process for awarding victim compensation in Illinois. The governor signed the legislation to help crime victims as part of his commitment to increase public safety in Illinois.

"As we continue working to reduce crime in Illinois, we want to ensure that any victim of a crime has the support they need," Governor Quinn said. "These measures will help victims receive emotional and financial piece of mind while recovering from a crime."

House Bill 5187, sponsored by Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan) and Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan), increases the rights of crime victims by requiring law enforcement to provide a written copy of victim rights within 48 hours of their first contact. Law enforcement will also be required to explain the assistance that victims may be eligible for under the Crime Victims Compensation Act. In addition, the law directs these rights to be posted outside any criminal courtroom in Illinois. Among the rights included is guaranteed notification to victims when an offender is committed to a mental health facility or leaves state custody. The law is supported by the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, Illinois Coalitions Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, and the Offices of the Illinois Attorney General and the State's Attorney of Cook County.

Senate Bill 3693, sponsored by Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton) and Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) broadens compensation for victims and their families by providing for spousal counseling services, adding additional violent crimes that could be eligible for restitution and authorizing payments to non-family or non-immediate family members who make initial payments for medical care and other expenses. The law also streamlines payment procedures to address a time lapse between the crime, a trial and medical procedures, and provides a new maximum award of $1,250 for replacement services, $7,000 for funeral and burial expenses and $1,250 for loss of earnings. HB 5187 and SB 3693 take affect January 1.

Senate Bill 3602, sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago), improves the way fines are calculated and contributed to the Violence Crime Victims Assistance Fund (VCVAF). The measure streamlines the procedure for determining fund contributions by changing it from a percentage of the fine to a simple, flat fee. The law will ensure that the VCVAF receives the consistent contributions it needs to support victims and their families across Illinois in the aftermath of a crime. SB 3602 takes effect immediately.

For more information about crime victim rights and the Crime Victim Compensation Program, call the Office of Illinois Attorney General at 1-800-228-3368 or visit online at http://www.ag.state.il.us/victims/cvc.html.