2011 Articles

Illinois lawmakers amended the Code of Civil Procedure to allow correctional institutions, facilities and jails to refuse entry to process servers for security purposes. 735 ILCS 5/2-203.2 new.

Under amendments to the Property Tax Code, property owners can seek reimbursement for taxes paid on annexed property beginning in the 2010 tax year. 35 ILCS 200/20-27.

The Jury Act and the Jury Commission Act have been amended to prohibit persons who have been excused from jury duty due to a total and permanent disability from ever serving as a juror again. (705 ILCS 305/10.4, 10.5 new).

The Illinois Pension Code has been amended to enable public workers to establish creditable service and earn credits in the public employee retirement system during furloughs.

Retailers offering merchandise rebate offers must now abide by new disclosure requirements. (815 ILCS 505/2LLL new).

Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Vehicle Code to address the registration status of vehicles used in gunrunning violations (625 ILCS 5/3-704).

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity recently adopted regulations necessary to successfully implement the Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit Act. 35 ILCS 25/5 and 15.

The Illinois Commerce Commission recently amended regulations governing contractors engaged in relocation towing of vehicles.

Illinois lawmakers have amended the Counties Code, Illinois Municipal Code, and the State Mandates Act to better regulate the demolition and renovation of buildings containing hazardous air pollutants such as asbestos. 55 ILCS 5/5-1063.5; 65 ILCS 5/11-39-2.5; 30 ILCS 805/8.35.

A plaintiff is allowed to correct the mistaken identity of a defendant in a suit to establish liability under the Dramshop Act when the relation-back factors of state law are satisfied, according to the Appellate Court for the Fourth District of Illinois.

The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to impose rules governing automated traffic law ordinances enacted by municipalities or counties. 625 ILCS 5/11-208.

An amendment has been made to the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act regarding public service announcements and promotional material. 5 ILCS 430/5-20.

On July 22, 2011, the 4th District Appellate Court reversed the lower court's decision granting the Town of Normal's motion to dismiss plaintiff Mary Collins' retaliatory-discharge claim. Since Collins' claim was brought under the Workers' Compensation Act, there is an exception to the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (Tort Immunity Act), and her claim is not time-barred by the one-year statute of limitations in section 8-101(a).

The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to modify restrictions for non-highway vehicles (625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1).

The Secretary of State (Secretary) recently adopted a new section as part of the Issuance of Licenses regulations in the Illinois Administrative Code. The new section governs the issuance of renewal licenses to Illinois residents eligible for safe driver renewal.

The Illinois School Code has been amended to allow school districts to increase driver education course fees to an amount not exceeding $250. (105 ILCS 5/27-24.2).

Illinois lawmakers have amended the School Code to require school districts to provide certain criminal record check results and Statewide Sex Offender Database check results that it obtained within the past year upon request. (105 ILCS 5/10-21.9, 5/34-18.5)

The School Code has been amended to require school social workers who work with 7th through 12th graders to receive training for the detection and intervention of student suicide (105 ILCS 5/34-18.7).

Illinois lawmakers have amended the School Code to enable school boards to suspend or expel students for committing gross disobedience or misconduct using electronic means. (105 ILCS 5/10-22.6).

Service by publication only establishes personal jurisdiction in an eminent domain case where the entity seizing land has diligently searched for all potential parties to the action, according to an Illinois Court of Appeals ruling.