New Laws to Support Law Enforcement and Protect Court Officers

CHICAGO - July 24, 2012. As part of his ongoing efforts to increase public safety in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today signed two new laws that will help law enforcement crack down on drug crime and protect members of the justice system. The governor signed the new laws at the Illinois State Police Forensics Labs in Chicago and was joined by members of Illinois' law enforcement community who support the new laws, including the Illinois State Police, the Chicago Police Department, and numerous state's attorneys.

Governor Quinn has signed several new laws this summer to crack down on crime and strengthen public safety, including one that empowers law enforcement to prosecute street gangs as organized crime and a law guarding against sex offenders by requiring park districts to perform employee background checks.

"The men and women who protect us from crime every day need the tools to do their jobs effectively," Governor Quinn said. "These laws will help law enforcement get more criminals off the street and protect the members of our judicial system as they carry out justice for the people of Illinois."

House Bill 4081, sponsored by Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) and Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton), creates an exemption in Illinois' eavesdropping statute which allows State's Attorneys to give prior approval for the recording of individuals whom law enforcement suspects will commit a drug crime. The evidence obtained in these recordings may be used only in the prosecution of drug crimes or forcible felonies committed during the investigation of a drug crime. Current law allows law enforcement to obtain a court order to record a drug crime, but delays in that process in the past have resulted in missed crimes. This law is also a safeguard for undercover officers who may require immediate assistance when their lives are in danger.

"As a former State's Attorney for Madison County, I know this law will be invaluable in reducing the drug crime that plagues our communities," Sen. Haine said.

This legislation will strengthen the justice system by allowing more credible evidence into criminal proceedings. Judges and juries will be able to hear the actual conversations of those suspected of committing drug crimes, rather than relying on witness testimony that can be unreliable. Prosecutors and defense attorneys will also have more evidence to consider while negotiating plea agreements, which reduce the burden upon the criminal justice system. This new process allows Illinois law enforcement the same flexibility in crime situations as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and law enforcement in surrounding states. The law is effective January 1.

House Bill 5877, sponsored by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), creates the Illinois Judicial Privacy Act, which prohibits individuals, businesses, associations or government agencies from posting a judicial officer's personal information if that officer has requested in writing that it be removed. Upon receipt of the request, government agencies must remove information that is publicly available within five business days. Individuals, associations and businesses must remove the information within 72 hours. A person who posts personal information knowing that it could pose a threat to the health or safety of a judicial officer or his/her immediate family and which is a proximate cause of injury or death would be guilty of a Class 3 felony.

This legislation is an initiative of the Illinois Judges Association, which has found threats to judges rising steadily over the past decade. It was designed in response to the murder of the mother and husband of U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow. Law enforcement believes the two were victims of retaliation against the judge following an unfavorable ruling.

Sections of the law concerning the posting of information are effective within 60 days and provisions affecting information use by the Secretary of State for identification cards, vehicle registrations and driver's licenses are effective January 1.

CHICAGO - July 20, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 3340

An Act Concerning: Transportation

The law requires the Secretary of State's office to regulate scrap processors and properly issue vehicle titles based certain requirements.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4569

An Act Concerning: State Government

The law consolidates the responsibilities of the Secretary of State Merit Commission and gives the Secretary of State inspector general greater flexibility when hiring investigators and auditors.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4602

An Act Concerning: Education

The law gives the Ridgeland School District 122 bonding authority of up to $50 million, in order to refund bonds originally issued in 2000 by voter approval.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5073

An Act Concerning: Secretary of State

The law allows the Office of the Secretary of State to waive drivers' fees once the Governor declares a disaster.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 5190

An Act Concerning: Business

The law prohibits any person from knowingly filing a false or fraudulent document with the Secretary of State in connection with a secured transaction.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5362

An Act Concerning: Local Government

The law extends the deadline for non-home rule municipalities to use the tax proceeds for municipal operations from the following: the Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act, or the Non-Home Rule Municipal Use Tax Act.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5493

An Act Concerning: Transportation

The law allows expands the offenses for which the Secretary of State must revoke a driver's license or permit and permits the Secretary of State to issue an administrative citation in lieu of filing a criminal complaint in certain situations.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1691

An Act Concerning: Business

The law amends the Secretary of State's business entity laws to add provisions pertaining to the reinstatement of certain business entities, the resignation of registered agents and the electronic filing of required documents.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2492

An Act Concerning: Local Government

The law enables individuals serving on a jury to waive any payments they receive.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan.1

Bill No.: SB 3453

An Act Concerning: Regulation

The law creates the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards Fund and gives control of the fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 3718

An Act Concerning: Public Health

Requires the development and implementation of rules regarding the denial of reimbursement for non-emergency ambulance transport.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

FRANKFORT - July 20, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today signed four new laws to improve road safety across Illinois by reducing speeding and distracted driving. The governor was joined by legislators, community leaders and families of crash victims to enact Julie's Law, named after a Chicago-area crash victim, and several additional laws that restrict cell phone usage in school and construction zones. Today's action is the latest by Governor Quinn to increase safety on Illinois roads and highways.

"By working together, we can deter reckless driving behavior and create safer roads across our state," Governor Quinn said. "These new laws will protect children and families, and prevent dangerous trends such as speeding and distracted driving."

Senate Bill 2888, also known as Julie's Law, is sponsored by Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) and Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Arlington Heights). 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.

Julie's Law is named after Orland Park teen Julie Gorczysnski, who lost her life in 2011 after being struck by a speeding driver going 76 mph in a 40 mph zone. The driver who collided with Gorczysnski's car had previously been placed on court supervision seven times for excessive speeding. The law is effective Jul. 1, 2013.

"A young woman in my district was killed in an accident caused by someone who should have never been behind the wheel at all," Sen. Crotty said. "This law will help make sure that no family will have to endure the loss of a loved one in the way that has befallen the Gorczysnski family."

"This legislation addresses motorists who are pulled over for driving more than 25 miles over the speed limit in urban areas and more than 30 miles an hour over on highways," Rep. Mathias said. "It is my hope that the more stringent penalties will serve as a deterrent for motorists who put their lives and the lives of others at risk by driving too fast."

Governor Quinn also signed additional laws to improve traffic safety today. Senate Bill 2488, sponsored by Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Highwood) and Rep. Karen May (D-Highwood), expands the definition of construction and maintenance work zones to include areas where Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) or a local agency has posted signage advising motorists of an approaching speed zone. This expansion prohibits the use of cell phones in all roadway work zones, which will prevent distracted driving and increase protection for work crews. Previously, the use of cell phones was only prohibited in work zones with speed limit reductions. The law is effective Jan. 1, 2013.

House Bill 5099, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Costello, II (D-Sparta) and Sen. William Haine (D-Alton), 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. The law is effective immediately.

House Bill 5101, sponsored by Rep. John D'Amico (D-Chicago) and Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Cicero), brings the Illinois Vehicle Code (IVC) into compliance with federal regulations, and prohibits a commercial motor vehicle operator from using a hand-held mobile phone or engaging in texting while driving. The legislation also amends the code to include texting or using a hand-held mobile device as a "serious traffic violation." The law is effective Jan. 1, 2013.

"Our goal is to drive zero fatalities to reality, and these new measures take us another step in the right direction," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider.

For more information about traffic safety, visit www.dot.state.il.us.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a letter to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Congressman Dave Loebsack, and Congressman Bruce Braley today urged the Administration to reconsider its proposed closure of the Clinton field office.  In late June, the SSA informed members of Congress and officials in Clinton of their plans to close the field office this September.  This office currently serves the 49,000 residents of Clinton County, including over 10,000 current Social Security beneficiaries, who would have to travel to Davenport to visit a Social Security office if the closure goes forward.

"We are very concerned with this proposed closure and urge you to reconsider," wrote the lawmakers.  "The number of visitors to the Clinton office has increased each of the last three years, from 180 visitors per week in 2009 to 210 in 2012.  Many of these individuals would have to travel up to 40 miles further to the Davenport office.  In addition, by consolidating these offices, the number or Iowans who have to use the new Davenport office will now exceed the national average population served by a field office.

"While we understand the budget constraints facing the agency, we are particularly concerned with the impact this will have on the ability of low-income and disabled residents to communicate with the Social Security Administration," they concluded.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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