Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/satit_srihin

New laws that went into effect this week include:

• SPEED LIMIT: Senate Bill 2015 increases the speed limit on interstate and toll ways to 70 mph, unless some other speed restriction is imposed under the Illinois Vehicle Code.

• ADULT LIABILITY AND MINORS DRINKING ALCOHOL: House Bill 4745 expands parental liability for alcohol consumed by a minor in the home to alcohol consumed by minors in vehicles, trailers, campers, or boats. Parents and guardians face up to $2,000 in fines if they permit individuals younger than 21 to drink in a trailer, boat, or similar vessel.

• BEER and HARD CIDER: Senate Bill 3103 expanded the definition of beer to include hard cider.

• MEDICAL MARIJUANA: Senate Bill 2636 provides that children and teenagers suffering from seizures may be eligible for medical cannabis.

• CRIMINAL RECORDS and JOB APPLICATIONS – BAN THE BOX!: Illinois’ Ban the Box legislation (House Bill 5701) prohibits employers from inquiring into an applicant’s criminal history until the final round of job interviews.

• SIGN and DRIVE: Under Senate Bill 2583, law enforcement can no longer require a driver to turn over his driver’s license for petty traffic violations including speeding tickets (license as bail). Instead of surrendering a driver’s license, a driver’s signature promising to comply with the citation is sufficient.

• BOATING SAFETY CERTIFICATE: Requires persons born after January 1, 1991 to obtain a Boating Safety Certificate to lawfully operate a boat over 10 horsepower. Any person between the ages of 10 and 12 must be supervised by an adult with a Certificate.

• INTERNS AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT: House Bill 4157 provides that unpaid interns have the same protections against sexual harassment as regular employees.

• HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Senate Bill 3558 provides that the crime of solicitation of a sexual act does not apply to minors, creates new fines for human trafficking and keeping a place of prostitution, and creates a fund to support victims’ recovery services.

• ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES: House Bill 5868 requires retailers to keep electronic cigarettes behind store counters.

• CYBER BULLYING: House Bill 4207, requires schools to investigate instances of cyber bullying that allegedly occurred off-campus.

We have provided links to the status of each mentioned Bill found on ILGA.gov. Also check out our past blog posts on the Speed Limit, Medical Marijuana, Ban the Box, and License as Bail. Stay tuned for an update on current events coming in the New Year!

We at LauraLaw wish you a wonderful New Year and look forward to serving you in 2015. As always, if you have any questions be sure to give Laura a call!