A listing of all new laws scheduled to go into effect on January 1, continues.
Not all measures approved by the General Assembly go into effect on the first of the year. Bills which contain a specific effective date within the language of the measure and bills that carry an “immediate” effective date can go into effect at other times of the year.
The State Senate meets on the third floor of the north side of the Illinois State Capitol.
However, January 1 is the default date for a new law to become effective if there is no specific language specifying when it will become effective.
Under the Illinois Constitution, the legislature must set a “uniform effective date” for laws passed prior to June 1 of a calendar year. That uniform effective date, which is January 1, applies if the legislation does not otherwise specify when the law becomes effective.
A listing of all new laws scheduled to go into effect on January 1, follows.
Not all measures approved by the General Assembly go into effect on the first of the year. Bills which contain a specific effective date within the language of the measure and bills that carry an “immediate” effective date can go into effect at other times of the year.
However, January 1 is the default date for a new law to become effective if there is no specific language specifying when it will become effective.
Under the Illinois Constitution, the legislature must set a “uniform effective date” for laws passed prior to June 1 of a calendar year. That uniform effective date, which is January 1, applies if the legislation does not otherwise specify when the law becomes effective.
Education
Gangs in Schools (HB 2768/PA 98-0059): Adds illegal use or possession of weapons and illegal gang activity to the list of criminal actions that require a principal to call on law enforcement agencies when the safety and welfare of students and teachers are threatened. This is already required in Chicago, but current law only states that it is the responsibility of the principal to use proper law enforcement agencies when the safety and welfare of students and teachers are threatened by illegal use of drugs and alcohol in school districts outside Chicago. HB 2768 also specifically includes illegal gang activity as a criminal offense for which courts and law enforcement agencies must report to the principal of a public school whenever a student has been detained.
Student Online Privacy (HB 64/PA 98-0129): States that a post-secondary school cannot request or require a student (or his parent/guardian) to provide any account information, including passwords, in order to gain access to social networking sites. However, this does not apply when a post-secondary school has cause to believe that a student’s account on a social networking website contains evidence that the student has violated school disciplinary rule or policy. Also requires elementary and secondary schools to provide notification to students and their parents that they have the ability to request or require account information, including passwords, in order to gain access to social networking sites, if the school has reasonable cause to believe that the student’s account contains evidence that the student violated disciplinary rules or policy. The notification must be published in the disciplinary rules, policies or handbook.
Quiche and bacon provided a solid breakfast for the secret “retreat” that the McHenry County College Board held.
Zion School District (HB 160/PA 98-0131): Introduced to benefit Zion Elementary School District #6, this measure would give school districts more flexibility to access a dedicated Tort Immunity Fund and use the funds for educational purposes only. Applies only under certain conditions, requires a public hearing and expires in 2016.
Community Colleges (HB 3067/PA 98-0269): Adds an exemption to the lowest responsible bidder requirement for community colleges for contracts for the purchase of perishable foods and perishable beverages. This will bring the community colleges in line with public universities and K-12.
Bring Parents to School Day (HB 129/PA 98-0304): Creates a “Bring Your Parents to School Day” on the first Monday in October of each year. Allows a school board to permit the parents or guardians of students to attend class with their children and meet with teachers and administrators during the school day.
Teacher Basic Skills (HB 490/PA 98-0361): Requires applicants seeking a Professional Educator License to pass a test of basic skills before the license is issued. Also requires that all applicants completing Illinois teacher education programs must pass the basic skills test prior to starting their student teaching or starting the final semester of their internship, unless it is required earlier by the institution.