Senate Week in Review: December 8-12, 2008

              Senate Week in Review: New Illinois laws
More than 100 new state laws will take effect on January 1, 2009, including a package of long-awaited ethics and
contracting reforms, a measure that will better track domestic violence offenders who have violated orders of protection,
and legislation targeting drunk drivers.

Senator Tim Bivins says one of the most important pieces of legislation approved by Illinois lawmakers in 2008 was House
Bill 824 (Public Act 95-097) – “pay-to-play” reforms that ban state contractors from giving campaign contributions to the
statewide officeholder responsible for awarding the contract, as well as contributions to declared candidates for the
statewide office awarding the contract. The measure will apply to all contracts totaling $50,000 or more.

The new law will require businesses with contracts or pending bids to register with the State Board of Elections, including
registering affiliated entities, owners and key executives. The State Board of Elections will be required to maintain a
searchable database of all the names of contractors, affiliated persons and entities. Those found in violation of the law
could have their contracts voided, and incomplete or falsified filings with the State Board of Elections would be
considered a criminal offense, punishable by a fine. Contractors are obliged to notify legislators to whom they donate,
that they are registered with the State Board of Elections.
In response to the tragic murder of an Arlington Heights woman, the General Assembly approved Senate Bill 2719 (PA
95-0773), which seeks to increase protections for domestic violence victims and provide them with reassurance that an
order of protection is being observed. The new law requires an individual charged with violating an order of protection, or
a restraining order, to undergo a risk assessment evaluation at an approved partner abuse intervention program.
Additionally, as a condition of bail the individual could also be placed under electronic surveillance for constant
monitoring.

Also on January 1, individuals convicted of driving under the influence will be required to install a breath alcohol ignition
interlock device in their vehicles. As stipulated in Senate Bill 300 (PA 95-0400), the individual will have to breathe into the
device before the engine will start and will be required to submit additional breath samples at random intervals while the
car is in motion.

Additionally, if an individual fails a breath alcohol test at the time of arrest the length of their license suspension time
increases from three months to six months. If they refuse to submit to a breath alcohol test at the time of the arrest, their
suspension will increase from six months to a year.

Other bills that will become law on January 1 include:

Absentee Ballots (SB 439/PA 95-0889) – Allows municipalities to create a new absentee allot for consolidated elections
that will count for both the primary and general elections.

Accident Reports (HB 5907/PA 95-0754) – Requires a driver involved in an accident to forward a written accident report if
the accident resulted in property damage in excess of $1,500.

AED (HB 1279/PA 95-0712) – Requires public and private outdoor facilities focusing on cardiovascular exertion to have an
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and a trained user on the premises during all physical fitness activities.

Alcopops (SB 2472/PA 95-0860) – Changes the definition of “alcopop” to include an energy drink containing alcohol and
other stimulants including caffeine, guarana, taurine, and ginseng.

Annexation (SB 2677/PA 95-0931) – Prohibits municipalities from annexing territory if another municipality has already
served notice of the proposed annexation.

Senator Tim Bivins
http://bivins.senategop.org Powered by Joomla! Generated: 12 January, 2009, 09:04