New Laws For 2012

Illinois promulgated over 200 new laws, which went into effect on January 1, 2012.

Here are some of them: 

BIKERS CAN NOW RUN A RED LIGHT, IT IS LEGAL

Motorcycles and bicycles, often not heavy enough to trigger sensors that switch traffic lights from red to green, will now be allowed to legally pass through that light after waiting “a reasonable time.” Previously, the riders would have had to wait for another vehicle to arrive at the traffic light to set off the sensor.

SCHOOLS CAN TAKE ON WEB BULLYING

Allows a school board to suspend or expel a student who has made an explicit threat on the Internet against a school employee, student, or any school personnel.

FALSE CHILD ABUSE REPORTING

Making a false report of child abuse to DCFS is a Class 4 felony violation.

GOOD NEWS FOR OUR FURRY FRIENDS- PET IDENTIFICATION

A new state law requires animal shelters and control centers to scan for implanted microchips, implanted in many dogs or cats, within one day of being taken in. A second scan is also required before the pet can be either adopted, moved to another shelter or center or euthanized.

APARTMENT LOCK CHANGE REQUIRED IN COOK

A new amendment to the Illinois Landlord and Tenant Act requires most landlords in Cook County to re-key or otherwise change the locks of the apartments and other properties they own whenever new tenants move in. The law excludes locks on common areas of buildings and does not apply to owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer apartments.