2016 Articles

The Right to Privacy in the School Setting Act has been amended to require students to provide their passwords to social media sites when certain violations are suspected.

The Department adopted emergency amendments to the Illinois Vital Records Code that allow temporary removal of a dead human body from the State of Illinois for organ and tissue harvesting. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 500 (eff. Mar. 10, 2016).

The Department of Public Health adopted amendments requiring all emergency service personnel to be trained in the administration and use of opioid antagonists.

The Equal Pay Act of 2003 has been amended to apply to all employers, not just those with four or more employees.

On February 19, 2016, the Supreme Court of Illinois held that enhanced sentencing under the Habitual Criminal Act does not affect whether a sentence for aggravated vehicular hijacking with a dangerous weapon other than a firearm ("AVH/DW") violates the Proportionate Penalties Clause of the Illinois Constitution.

On November 4, 2015, the Illinois Supreme Court held that an employee cannot bring an action against an employer outside the Workers' Compensation Act, 820 ILCS 305/1, or the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act ("WODA"), 820 ILCS 310/1, when the employee's disease first manifests after the expiration of time limitations under those acts ("Acts").

The Department ("DCFS") has adopted amendments concerning contact and visitation between siblings when some or all are in DCFS custody and not living in the same household.

The Department ("DPH") has adopted amendments to the Adverse Health Care Event Reporting Code, a Part requiring health care facilities to report to DPH any adverse health care events. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 235 (eff. Dec. 23, 2015).

On July 8, 2016, Governor Rauner signed SB 1120. It amends 720 ILCS 5/16-3, which applies to theft of labor or services or use of property.

The Fire Protection Code underwent significant changes in regards to how the Office of the State Fire Marshal ("OSFM") qualifies and provides oversight for public school fire inspectors. 41 Ill. Adm. Code 111 (eff. May 20, 2016).

The Freedom of Information Act has been amended to include severance agreements entered into by or on behalf of a public entity as documents subject to public inspection and copying.