2001 Articles

On May 11, 2001, the Illinois Department of Public Aid (department) adopted amendments to section 140 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 89 Ill Adm Code 140.

Under current Illinois law, courts may permit children under 18 who are witnesses in certain criminal prosecutions like sexual assault, predatory sexual assault of a child, and sexual abuse to testify via closed-circuit television outside the courtroom if the judge determines that in-court testimony would result in the child suffering serious emotional distress.

On October 1, 2001, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (department) adopted an amendment to section 300 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 89 Ill Adm Code 300.

Legislation signed by Gov. Ryan in August authorizes a deduction equal to a taxpayer's contribution to a Bright Start College Savings Program account.

On May 24, 2001, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the appellate court and held that no independent cause of action exists in tort for an alleged breach of an implied duty of good faith and fair dealing arising from a contract.

Certain broadcasting employees may soon enjoy greater freedom under a recent bill passed by both the Illinois House and Senate.

On September 20, 2001, the Illinois Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the appellate court in dismissing an appeal under SCR 304(a), ruling that a notice of appeal cannot be filed before the trial court has ruled on all existing SCR 137 motions for sanctions.

On August 14, 2001, the Illinois Department of Human Services (department) adopted amendments to section 2060 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 77 Ill Adm Code 2060.

On December 8, 2000, the seventh circuit court of appeals reversed the district court's decision to set aside the jury's verdict in favor of Victor and Tre McNair, two brothers who had instituted a claim of excessive force against Officer Sean Coffey in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

On April 19, 2001, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the appellate court's holding that the juvenile court lacked authority to remove a minor from his temporary foster home since there was no immediate necessity for the removal.

Senate Bill 627 would create a traffic ticket parent notification pilot program in DuPage, Kendall and Sangamon Counties beginning on January 1, 2002, and ending on December 31, 2003.

On March 30, 2001, the seventh circuit affirmed the lower court's finding that a go-kart racer could be held to the terms of a release form which defendants could not produce.

The Illinois House Agriculture Committee unanimously approved a bill intended to reduce incidents of "animal hoarding" in the state.

On September 14, 2001, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (department) adopted amendments to section 301 of the Illinois Administrative Code. 89 Ill Adm Code 301.

On March 15, 2001, the seventh circuit held that plaintiff's Fourth Amendment rights were violated when officials of the Illinois Department of Revenue seized property belonging to the plaintiff but not named in a search warrant, and held that the plain view doctrine did not protect defendants' actions.

On July 31, 2001, the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District, affirmed the order of the Human Rights Commission concluding that the commission's finding that the plaintiff's employer, R.B. Hayward and Company, did not discriminate against him based on a handicap or a perceived handicap "was not against the manifest weight of the evidence."

The office of defendant Jesse White, secretary of state, revoked plaintiff Ronald Mohr's driving privileges for each of two driving under the influence convictions in 1982 and 1989.

On August 29, 2001, the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, reversed the trial court's decision reinstating the plaintiff's annuity and pension benefits after the Retirement Board of the Policemen's Annuity and Benefit Fund denied his application for reinstatement of those benefits.