WHEATON-DuPageCountyState’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett announced today that six legislative initiatives proposed by his office have been signed into law by Governor Blagojevich. The six legislative proposals are contained within five Bills the Governor signed into law. With the Governor’s signature on the five bills, more than half of Birkett’s 2008 legislative initiatives have become law.
The following legislative initiatives will become law on January 1, 2009 with the exception of SB 2494, which took effect August 4, 2008.
SB 2594 – Illinois Parentage Act Birthing Expenses (introduced by Senator John Millner, R-Carol Stream.) Provides that in actions brought within two years of a child’s birth, the Court may enter a judgment or order directing either parent to pay reasonable expenses related to the mother’s pregnancy and the delivery of the child.
SB 2494 – DUI Felony Clarification (introduced by Senator Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge.) Toughens up DUI laws in consideration of municipal or out-of-state offenders.
SB 2382 – Fighting Cyberpredators (introduced by Senator John Millner, R-Carol Stream; Chief House Sponsor Representative Sidney Mathias, R-Buffalo Grove.) Creates the new offenses of grooming and traveling to meet a minor. The anti- grooming provision criminalizes the use of computers and similar technology for the purpose of seducing, soliciting, luring or enticing a child or someone believed to be a child to engage in a sex act. The bill also targets offenders who, after grooming their intended victim, travel any distance to meet with that victim for the purpose of committing a sex offense.
SB 2435 – Declaratory Relief Stays Eliminated (introduced by Senator John Cullerton, D-Chicago and Representative Jim Durkin, R-Countyside.) Amends the law to eliminate the automatic stay in cases where the final judgment grants injunctive or declaratory relief to a government agency relative to the enforcement of a statute, rule or local ordinance.
SB 2509 – Hearsay Exception in Child Sex Crime Cases (introduced by Senator Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge; Chief House Sponsor Representative Susana Mendoza, D-Chicago.) Combines two separate proposals offered by Birkett’s office, both addressing the admissibility of evidence in certain sex cases that would otherwise be inadmissible under the established rules of evidence.
“I am extremely proud that we were able to get these important legislative proposals passed into law,” commented Birkett. “Over the past several years, with input from my office, law enforcement and concerned citizens, we have improved the quality of life and implemented important safeguards aimed at protecting every member of society, especially our children. I would like to thank Senators Millner, Kotowski and Cullerton as well as Representatives Mathias, Durkin and Mendoza for their support.”
