2013 Articles

The Probate Act of 1975 has been amended to provide an exception to a public guardian's duty to maintain insurance on the real and personal property belonging to the guardian's ward. 755 ILCS 5/13-5.

The General Assembly has enacted the "Toxin-Free Toddler Act" regulating the presence of bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, in children's food and beverage containers.

The General Assembly has added a new section to the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act. 720 ILCS 646/120 new.

The Property Tax Code has been amended to modify the maximum annual reduction for the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption for the taxable years of 2012 and 2013. 35 ILCS 200/15-170.

The law on use of disability license plates, decals, and devices has been expanded to explicitly provide for items issued to now-deceased individuals.

To accommodate changes to the Illinois standard provisions for life insurance policies, 215 ILCS 5/224, the Illinois Department of Insurance changed two requirements for the construction and filing of life insurance and annuity forms. 50 Ill. Adm. Code 1405.

Effective September 10, 2013, the Illinois Commerce Commission adopted Minimum Safety Standards for Transportation of Gas and for Gas Pipeline Facilities. 83 Ill. Adm. Code 590.

Illinois lawmakers have amended the Motor Fuel Sales Act to make refueling more accessible and convenient for persons with disabilities. 815 ILCS 365/2.

As of January 1, 2014, applicants for massage licenses will be required to meet higher licensing standards. 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1284

Pursuant to a recent amendment of the Animal Welfare Act, immediately upon becoming aware of an outbreak of a contagious and life threatening disease, which includes diseases such as distemper or parvovirus, a pet shop operator is now legally obligated to notify the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Section 12-610.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, which used to only prohibit the composing, sending, and receiving of electronic messages while driving, will soon prohibit any use of an "electronic communications devise" while driving. 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2.

The Illinois Vehicle Code has been amended to limit the mounting and demonstration of oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights on vehicles, subject to certain exceptions (625 ILCS 5/12-215; 625 ILCS 5/12-609).

The Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act has been amended to provide new requirements for recordkeeping by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (325 ILCS 5/7.7).

Newly implemented rules adopted in part 412 of title 83 of the Illinois Administrative Code regulate marketing practices and set ground rules for consumer contracts and dispute resolution applicable for retail electric suppliers.

Illinois lawmakers have amended the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act to require new sex education curricula in schools. 105 ILCS 110/3.

Illinois lawmakers have amended the Illinois Plumbing License Law (225 ILCS 320/11, 16) to provide new requirements for plumbers' license cards.

Amendments to the Skilled Nursing and Intermediate Care Facilities Code (the "Code"), effective March 29, 2013, mandate additional minimum written resident care policies and procedures for long-term care facilities. See 77 Ill. Adm. Code 300.610.

Guardianship cases that require the appointment of a guardian ad litem generally require that the petitioner pay for any guardian ad litem fees when the respondent is unable to pay. 755 ILCS 5/11a-10.

On January 22, 2013, the Illinois Appellate Court, First District, held that a dispute over a discovery order that arises in arbitration is not ripe for adjudication until a final award has been issued.

On June 20, 2013, the Illinois Supreme Court held, first, that electronically filing ("e-filing") a postjudgment motion when circuit court rules required a paper copy did not fail to toll the time for filing a notice of appeal; and, second, that e-filing a notice of appeal when circuit court rules required a paper copy did not deprive the appellate court of jurisdiction.