The New Year has brought into effect more than 100 new laws in Illinois.  In addition, court costs for various types of cases and procedures are on the rise.  Here is a summary of some of the most notable legislative changes.

Technology is playing a big role in some of the changes.  New DUI laws involve the use of Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices — along with a doubling of penalties for statutory summary suspensions — were outlined in Attorney Daniel Stamm's post Dec. 26 of last year.  In addition, satellite monitoring devices can be used to track the whereabouts of those who have violated orders of protection.  This new law was passed in response to the Cindy Bischof murder last year. 

While this law now is in effect, funding to enforce it remains a question, which may be why Kane County is among jurisdictions examining an increase in criminal court fees this year.  The courts also may bring in some extra dollars as Senate Bill 2053 now is law.  It allows circuit clerks to charge a fee to seal or expunge court records. 

Another new law removes the automatic expiration of orders of protection after two years.  Now an OOP can remain in effect until a judge removes it.

In the area of Internet safety, earlier this year we reported that IT consultants now are bound by law to report incidences of child pornography found on their clients' computers.  In addition, the definition of "cyberstalking" has been expanded to include various acts, such as the creation of an Internet site that lasts at least 24 hours and harasses or threatens someone; and schools are now required to teach Internet safety at least once per year to all students in grades 3 and higher.  High schools, colleges and universities also must add sexual assault awareness lessons to their offerings, and convicted sex offenders can not serve as election judges, as polling places often are in schools. 

Speaking of children, parents can now be held liable for up to $30,000 in damages for a child who's a "serial vandal."  Parents of first offenders remain liable for up to $20,000 in damages. Furthermore, while it's long been illegal for minors to purchase cigarettes, until now, there was no law prohibiting minors to use fake IDs to purchase them.  Now the minor can be charged with both crimes — perhaps another way to generate income under the umbrella of  protecting children's health.

Additional new laws tied to health care include Senate Bill 2399 which states that employers and licensing agencies cannot require genetic testing or genetic information from an individual as a condition of employment, nor can they hire, fire or make other employment decisions based on someone's genetic information.  House Bill 1432 requires insurance companies to cover eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa under "serious mental illness."

Environmentalists will be pleased with some of the new laws in effect.  State-owned or leased buildings of more than 1,000 square-feet now must consider using LED lighting and other Energy Star options, and a new state law requires that all new automatic sprinkler systems installed after Jan. 1 be equipped to stop when it's raining.  This law does not apply to golf courses or agricultural settings.

And the perhaps most-needed new law in Illinois focuses on political ethics.  House Bill 824 is designed to curb "pay to play" by putting limits on political donations from government contractors.

Attorneys Joseph P. McCaffery & Mickelle Olawoye, along with various news reports, contributed to this post.