New Laws for Illinois

Hey all you Illinoisans!! 

2015 is right around the corner.

And as usual, there are a bunch of new Illinois laws which take effect in the new year.

Over 200 of them!
Here's a sampling.

Consider yourself warned.

Out for now......

Matt



1. E-Cigs
Must be kept behind store counters and out of reach from children.

Vapor refills must come in child-proof packaging.


2. Upped speed limits
The speed limit on the state’s tollways and interstates will increase to 70 mph; 60 mph for semis.


3. Traffic stops
No more ticket quota system for police.

If you get pulled over and are issued a ticket, your drivers license won’t be held as bond.


4. Pregnancy in the workplace
Employers must provide pregnant workers with reasonable accommodations, or else it’s a civil rights violation.


5. Homeowner damage disclosure
Home sellers must disclose any door or window damage, including:
flood damage
lead paint
asbestos
meth lab


6. Beer tax and milk definitions
The beer tax will extend to hard ciders.

Milk definition now includes sheep, water buffalo and other hooved animals.


7. Medical marijuana to treat seizures
Children who suffer from seizures can qualify for cannabidiol (CBD), which is an orally-administered liquid to treat epilepsy (not the leafy stuff).


8. Boating, boozing and hoisting orange flags
Those who boat under the influence will have their boats impounded.

If boat passengers are in the water, an orange flag must be raised to indicate the presence of swimmers.


9. School storm shelters
Newly constructed schools must have a storm shelter.


10. Privacy for crime victims
Strengthens security and privacy for the automatic system that notifies victims when their offenders are granted parole or released.


11. Use of drones
Police forces can use drones in the event of a natural disaster or public health emergency.


12. Punishing cyber bullies
School administrators can discipline students who bully their peers on personal devices, even if it’s not on school grounds.


13. Cold-blooded permits
Permits will be required for owners of venomous or other dangerous reptiles and amphibians.


14. New drug bans
Illegalizes synthetic drugs similar to LSD, such as “N-Bomb.”
The law is intended to prevent minors from possessing Kratom plants, which have opiate-like effects.


 15. Hunting bans 
It is illegal to hunt, own or trade gray wolves, black bears and cougars.



AND MORE........

HB 5079
Requires individuals who want trapping licenses to obtain certificates of competence (exempts current/recent license holders)

HB 5080
Changes permit rules for commercial waterfowl hunters, adds waterfowl outfitters to the guidlines for turkey and deer outfitters

HB 5082
Increases the maximum size of casting nets; allows commercial fisherman to use these nets to collect Asian Carp and bait fish

HB 5085
Allows universities and the Dept. of Agriculture to research industrial hemp

SB 0902
Bans the sale, transfer, possession, etc. of certain reptiles and amphibians taken from the wild; creates a permit process for owning other reptiles and amphibians

SB 2662
Allows farm mutual insurance companies to invest in additional types of bonds; makes other technical changes

SB 3333
Allows the Department of Natural Resources to add additional species to Illinois' list of recognized aquatic life by rule

HB 4535
Allows nonresidents who earn advanced degrees in architecture to waive English language tests

HB 4687
Reduces the fee for shipping medical nuclear isotopes less than 100 miles entirely within Illinois

HB 4707
Allows CPAs from other states to account in Illinois for up to 6 months while DFPR processes their applications

HB 4790
Makes various minor changes relating to hair care licenses and certifications

HB 5685
Finishes the process of repealing the Savings and Loan Act by moving all of its pieces to other areas of statute

SB 0499
Changes the Tri-City Regional Port District to the America's Central Port District and expands its jurisdiction

SB 0728
Establishes that multiple offenses for sales of alcohol to a minor only accure during the five year period after the initial offense

SB 1778
Creates regulations for resale dealers, similar to pawnshop brokers; excludes areas with populations over a million

SB 1999
Allows day care/child care licensing applicants to meet the requirement of proving they have graduated high school by proving they have graduated college

SB 2922
Prohibits public insurance adjusters from accepting payment over 10% of the insurance settlement for catastrophic events; allows exemptions

SB 2952
Amends Self-Storage Facility Act, allows notifications to be sent via email

SB 3044
Removes a provision requiring that real estate broker license requirements include real-time discussion between the instructor and students

SB 3103
Expands the definition of beer to include all beverages brewed or fermented from malt products, specifically hard ciders

SB 3290
Exempts off-road riding facilities from liability for noise emissions

SB 3324
Makes a variety of changes to the law regulating purchasing industrial insurance from unauthorized insurers

SB 3506
Allows the use of "urgent care" in the name of urgent care centers, bringing Illinois in line with the other 49 states

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