The 91st General Assembly has taken a second major step toward ensuring criminal justice by requiring that physical evidence used to convict criminals be preserved for DNA and other testing in post-trial proceedings.
On June 15, 2000, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed first degree murder, attempted murder, and armed robbery convictions against Paris D. Sims, as well as a death sentence ordered by the circuit court of St. Clair County.
On April 5, 2000, the Illinois Department of Human Services adopted emergency amendments to section 50 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 89 Ill Adm Code 50.
During one of the briefest legislative sessions in recent memory, the General Assembly ended a four-month controversy over whether illegally transporting firearms should be considered a felony or misdemeanor in Illinois.
House Bill 3911 required Illinois law enforcement officers to record information about the race of motorists who received traffic or warning citations.
Pursuant to Public Act 91-469, "[a] person who drives a vehicle ... at a speed that is 40 miles per hour or more in excess of the applicable maximum speed limit" commits a Class A misdemeanor.
On January 7, 2000, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority ("Authority") adopted emergency amendments to the Illinois Administrative Code. 20 Ill Adm Code 1560.
On December 23, 1999, the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer adopted emergency rules to section 725 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 74 Ill Adm Code 725.
P.A. 91-657 makes several changes to the eavesdropping sections of the Illinois Criminal Code, 720 ILCS 5/14-1 et seq. The act also closes a loophole and makes additional amendments.
As of January 1, 2000, Illinois drivers who own or operate vehicles containing hidden compartments may be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Public Act 91-359 amends the Vehicle Code by making it illegal to own or operate a motor vehicle when a person knows the vehicle contains a false or secret compartment.
Public Act 91-403 amends the Controlled Substances Act by making it unlawful to possess any methamphetamine-manufacturing chemical with the intent to manufacture meth.
Until recently, torturing animals was only a misdemeanor in Illinois. However, individuals who intentionally torture animals will now face up to three years in prison and will be forced to undergo psychological and psychiatric evaluations for a first offense.
Public Act 91-229 expands the definition of ``child'' with regard to the offense of child pornography to include any material that conveys the impression that the [material] is of a person under the age of 18.
Governor George Ryan recently signed four pieces of legislation that amend existing sex offense statutes to more forcefully combat an increased number of Internet-related sex offenses.
Governor George Ryan recently signed four pieces of legislation that amend existing sex offense statutes to more forcefully combat an increased number of Internet-related sex offenses.
Public Act 91-226 redefines the offense of indecent solicitation of a child to apply to additional incidents, including more Internet-related incidents.
