New Laws for 2016

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ELGIE R. SIMS, JR.

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January 1, will bring over 200 new laws impacting Illinois residents. Following is an overview of several new laws effective for 2016 addressing the quality of our schools, safety of our communities, stability of our state’s economy, and health, welfare and quality of life for all Illinoisans.

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Education

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Requires the study of Civics in High School education curriculum

Public Act 99-434 (HB 4025*)

Provides that of the 2 years of social studies required of high school students, at least one semester must be civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Provides that course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process.

* Law Sponsored/Co-Sponsored by Rep. Sims

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Requires the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in schools

Public Act 99-470 (HB 152)

This new law requires that each school building in the district be equipped with approved carbon monoxide alarms. The alarms or detectors must be located within 20 feet of a carbon monoxide emitting device, in operating condition inspected annually.

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Updated college readiness exam for Illinois students

Public Act 99-185 (SB 1455)

This new law requires high schools to give students a college readiness exam that is accepted by Illinois' public universities.

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Public Safety

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Creates the Police and Community Relations Improvement and Officer Worn Camera Act

Public Act 99-352 (SB 1304*) This new law outlines the steps necessary regarding the investigation of officer-involved deaths that involve a law enforcement officer. The new law also authorizes the use of Body Cameras and sets forth the protocols necessary to operate and store information obtained from the cameras. It further establishes minimum in-service training requirements, which a permanent police officer must satisfactorily complete every 3 years, shall include constitutional and proper use of law enforcement authority, procedural justice, civil rights, human rights, and cultural competency, and complete annually updates and use of force training which shall include scenario based training.

The new law includes an increase of $5 in the fines for moving violations to pay for costs associated with the cameras.

•  Law Sponsored/Co-Sponsored by Rep. Sims

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Allows suspension of the Statute of Limitations in sexual assault cases

Public Act 99-252 (HB 369)

This new law allows the period within which a prosecution must be commenced to exclude any period in which the sexual assault evidence is collected and submitted to the Illinois State Police.

The Statute of Limitations does not begin until the completion of the analysis of the submitted evidence, including but not limited to collection of evidence of a sexual assault using the Illinois State Police sexual assault evidence collection kit.

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Ends mandatory life sentences for minors

Public Act 99-69 (HB 2471)

Eliminates mandatory sentences of natural life imprisonment for persons convicted of offenses committed before they attain 18 years of age.

The new law provides that when a person commits an offense and the person is under 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense, the court, at the sentencing hearing, shall consider the person's potential for rehabilitation or evidence of rehabilitation, or both.

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Restrictions on persons driving with DUIs

Public Act 99-467 (SB 627)

 This new law requires people with a restricted driving permit from DUIs resulting in death or injury or who have two or more DUIs to only operate vehicles with ignition breathalyzers; requires law enforcement to inform individuals suspected of DUI of the consequences of refusing an alcohol test in writing.

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CONSUMER PROTECTION, GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCIES & VETERANS AFFAIRS

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 Outlines consumer protections for borrowers considering reverse mortgages

Public Act 99-0331 (SB 1440*) This new law establishes requirements for lenders of reverse mortgages, establishes various disclosure requirements, and institutes a requirement for a cooling-off period before a borrower can be bound by the loan terms, and prohibits certain activities by lenders.

* Law Sponsored/Co-Sponsored by Rep. Sims

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Credit freeze for active military personnel

Public Act 99-0373 (HB 3425*)

The new law requires consumer reporting agencies to implement a credit freeze without cost for active duty military personnel.

* Law Sponsored/Co-Sponsored by Rep. Sims

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 Outlines consumer protections for borrowers considering reverse mortgages

Public Act 99-0331 (SB 1440*) This new law establishes requirements for lenders of reverse mortgages, establishes various disclosure requirements, and institutes a requirement for a cooling-off period before a borrower can be bound by the loan terms, and prohibits certain activities by lenders.

* Law Sponsored/Co-Sponsored by Rep. Sims

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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 Establishes crowdfunding guidelines Public Act 99-0182 (HB 3429*)

Amends the Illinois Securities Law by creating intrastate crowdfunding exemption for Illinois. The new law will connect entrepreneurs with small investors online, allowing early-stage businesses access to an untapped source of the capital they need to grow while protecting investors in small companies against fraud and predatory practices.

* Law Sponsored/Co-Sponsored by Rep. Sims

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 Online database for new businesses Public Act 99-0134 (SB 659*)

This new law establishes requirements for the creation of a state website for businesses considering relocating to or opening in Illinois.

* Law Sponsored/Co-Sponsored by Rep. Sims

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Breastfeeding rooms at airports Public Act 99-228 (SB 344*)

This new Illinois law requires that O’Hare, Midway and any newly constructed airports create breastfeeding rooms for mothers desiring to breastfeed their children.

* Law Sponsored/Co-Sponsored by Rep. Sims

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HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

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Designated caregivers Public Act 99-0222 (SB 1298*)

The new law mandates hospitals provide patients with an opportunity to designate a caregiver before leaving the hospital.

* Law Sponsored/Co-Sponsored by Rep. Sims

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Foster Children’s Bill of Rights Public Act 99-0344 (HB 3684)

The new law creates the Foster Children’s Bill of Rights, which provides that it is the policy of this State that every child and adult in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services who is placed in foster care shall have certain rights.

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Prohibits the sale of powdered alcohol Public Act 99-0051 (SB 67)

The new law provides for a prohibition on selling, offering for sale, or delivering, receiving, or purchasing for resale any product consisting of or containing powdered alcohol.

The first offense is a Class A misdemeanor and a Class 4 felony for second or subsequent offenses.

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For additional information on the new laws referenced above and all

new laws, please refer to www.ILGA.gov.�

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