Legal Updates

This is a listing of some of the most recent changes in the law.  This list is not exhaustive and is only meant to give a general idea of the new law(s). 

Effective 7/22/10:

• Sec. 11-1002.
  Pedestrians' right-of-way at crosswalks.
  (a) When traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
  (b) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a moving vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
  (c) Paragraph (a) shall not apply under the condition stated in Section 11-1003 (b).
  (d) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.
  (e) Whenever stop signs or flashing red signals are in place at an intersection or at a plainly marked crosswalk between intersections, drivers shall yield right-of-way to pedestrians as set forth in Section 11-904 of this Chapter.
  (Source: P.A. 96-1165, eff. 7-22-10.)

Effective 1/1/10:

• H.B. 1105 - Pub. Act 96-0772  Disorderly Conduct - Amends the charge of Disorderly Conduct to include knowingly transmitting or causing to be transmitted a threat of destruction of a school, or a threat of violence, death or bodily harm directed against a person at school, a school funtion, or event.  (Class 4 Felony)
• S.B. 141 - Pub. Act 96-0199  Gang Recruitment - Amends and provides that street gang recruitment of a minor (under the age of 18) by any means through the use of force or threat of the use of force is a Class 1 Felony.
• S.B. 1655 - Pub. Act 96-335  Obstructing Identification - Creates the offense of Obstructing Identification, a Class A Misdemeanor.  A person commits the offense when he or she knowingly furnishes a false name, address or date of birth to a police officer.
• H.B. 71 - Pub. Act 0130  Electronic Communication - A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a roadway while using an electronic communication device to compose, send or read an electronic message. Provides that a violation is an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles.
• H.B. 72 - Pub. Act 96-0131 No Phone in School/Work Zones - A person, regardless of age, may not use a wireless telephone in a school speed zone or a construction or maintenance speed zone, except for a person engaged in a highway construction or maintenance project for which a construction or maintenance speed zone has been established when the person is using a wireless telephone in furtherance of that project.   IL Compiled Statute: 625 ILCS 5/12-610.1
• S.B. 1590 - Pub. Act 96-0331  Electronic Visitation - Allows for a child to "visit" with their non-custodial parent by electronic means, such as the Internet, telephone, video conferencing, etc. 
• H.B. 3956 - Pub. Act 0524  Trucking - Increases the speed limit to 65 mph for big trucks traveling on interstates outside Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties.
• H.B. 370 - Pub. Act 96-0143  Uninsured Motorists - Increases the penalty for individuals caught operating an uninsured motor vehicle, if that uninsured vehicle causes bodily harm to come to another person.
• H.B. 4013 - Pub. Act 96-0313  Vehicle - Allows vehicles to be seized if they have been used in the theft of a precious metal or scrap metal, as a way to deter the trend of taking copper wire and pipe from vacant buildings.
• H.B. 4327 - Pub. Act 96-0530  Window Tint - Establishes penalties for a person who installs or repairs window tint which is illegally applied to the front windshield of a vehicle or to the front side windows.

Effective 6/1/09:

• H.B. 1314 - Pub. Act 96-0262  Internet Safety                                                        Prohibits the accessing or using of a social networking website by an offender placed on supervision or convicted for a sex crime.

Effective 1/10/09:

• S.B. 2275 - Pub. Act 95-1031  Raises the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to include 17-year olds charged with misdemeanor offenses.  (Anyone under 18 years of age will be considered a juvenile for any misdemeanor offense).

To see a more detailed list, click here.