2014 Articles

As of January 1, 2015, the board of park commissioners must contribute to the pension fund in amounts not less than those required by 40 ILCS 5/12-149(a).

As of January 1, 2016, individuals born after January 1, 1998, may not operate a motorboat that has a horse power exceeding 10, with the exception of those who have a valid Boating Safety Certificate or who meet the other exceptions listed in the section.

Pursuant to the Public Water Supply Operations Act, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") has set forth procedures to obtain a drinking water operator certification. 35 Ill. Adm. Code 681 (eff. Apr. 1, 2014).

The Property Tax Code has been amended to change the method of assessing the value of PPV leases of certain military facilities for state property tax law purposes.

The Housing Development Authority has amended rules regarding the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Program. 47 Ill. Adm. Code 381 (eff. Mar. 10, 2014).

Recent amendments to the Illinois Pension Code include changes to provisions concerning employer and employee contributions, annual pension increases, duty disability benefits, and early retirement.

The Health Facilities and Services Review Board ("the Board") recently added a new Part titled "Public Information Access, Rulemaking, and Organization" to the Chapter governing the Health Facilities and Services Review Board. 2 Ill. Adm. Code 1925 (eff. June 30, 2014).

The Illinois Department of Public Health updated the Communicable Diseases Code to provide a list of reportable diseases and conditions, timeframes to report those diseases and conditions, and the reporting entities and procedures. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 690 (eff. Feb. 11, 2014).

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services recently adopted amendments that clarify who is eligible for their scholarship program, the duration of the scholarship, and who serves on the scholarship committee. 89 Ill. Adm. Code 312 (eff. Dec. 31, 2013).

Amendments to the general procedures of the Labor Relations Board update the physical address of the Springfield office and provide the Board's website address as www.state.il.us/ilrb. 80 Ill. Adm. Code 31200 (eff. Dec. 13, 2013).

The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation amended the Massage Licensing Act to require applicants to submit fingerprints within sixty days of submitting their application for licensure. 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1284 (eff. Feb. 24, 2014).

Per amendments to the Use Tax Act, lessors are not subject to the tax imposed by the Use Tax Act for amounts not calculated at the time a vehicular lease is executed. Such amounts may include, but are not limited to, charges for excess wear and tear.

Newly added section 602.3 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act provides that if a court determines joint custody or visitation rights to be the best arrangement for a child under section 602.1 or section 607 respectively, then the court may further consider, as consistent with the child's best interests, awarding one or both of the parents the right of first refusal to provide child care for the minor child during the other parent's allotted parenting time.

Under the Illinois Poison Prevention Packaging Act, "electronic cigarette" or "e-cigarette" refers to battery-operated devices that contain nicotine, flavor, or chemicals, or a combination thereof, which are transformed into vapor for the purpose of inhalation.

On September 18, 2014, the Illinois Supreme Court held that circuit courts retain jurisdiction over administrative review complaints, even if they are filed in an improper venue. Mary Slepicka resided at Holy Family Villa, a nursing home in Cook County.

On October 18, 2013, the Illinois Supreme Court held that a motorist's claim against the driver in a personal injury action was time-barred after the motorist-plaintiff failed to substitute the personal representative for the deceased driver's estate before the statute of limitations expired.

DCFS recently clarified the difference between putting a child in "substantial risk of physical injury" and placing a child in an "environment injurious to health or welfare." 89 Ill. Adm. Code 300 (eff. June 11, 2014).

On May 22, 2014, the Illinois Supreme Court found that a constitutional challenge to section 607(e) of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (the "Act") became moot when the affected parent established compliance with the statute. See 750 ILCS 5/607(e).