2009 Articles

On December 31, 2008, the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, affirmed the judgment of the Circuit Court of Logan County awarding damages to the plaintiffs for tortious damage to their dog and modifying the damage award to equal the total costs of veterinary care required.

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Code of Criminal Procedure by adding section 115-10.6, which creates a new hearsay exception when evidence is offered against a party that has killed the declarant "intending to procure the unavailability of the declarant as a witness in a criminal or civil proceeding." 725 ILCS 5/115-10.6.

State lawmakers recently added new language to the state Property Tax Code to help homeowners understand and challenge changes in their property assessments. 

Illinois lawmakers amended the Criminal Code of 1961 by adding two new sections making it a crime to interfere with the duties of a judicial officer, or attempt to bribe an officer's immediate family, staff, or other court employees. 720 ILCS 5/32-4e, 32-4f.

The Illinois General Assembly amended section 6 of the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act and added two new sections to the Mercury-added Product Prohibition Act. 410 ILCS 45/6, 410 ILCS 46/22, 23. 

The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation added a new Part to Title 50 entitled,Preneed Life Insurance Minimum Standards for Determining Reserve Liabilities and Nonforfeiture Values. 50 Ill Adm Code 1414, 32 Ill Reg. 19725. 

Illinois lawmakers have amended the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to create, subject to appropriation, a program to award grants to fund capital projects "to improve or renovate [a] hospital's facility or to improve, replace or acquire the hospital's equipment or technology." 

The Secretary of State amended section 1010.245 of Title 92, which deals with certificates of title and the registration of vehicles.   

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (the department) recently adopted new rules creating a pilot program for Dementia Care Units in Supportive Living Facilities (SLF) across the state.