Greetings! For our December newsletter we thought you would be entertained (I mean interested) in some of the many new laws enacted for our benefit by the Illinois General Assembly. For better or worse, from the sublime to the ridiculous, here are the highlights.    

Laws Concerning Public Health and Safety

This law avoids some unintended consequences of an existing law the Illinois General Assembly passed previously. Among other things, this law lets children operate a lemonade stand or sell brownies without having to worry about buying a state or local business license. But beware: they cannot make more than $1,000 on their product! Public Act 98-0643

The Wildlife Code is being amended to allow youths under the age of 16 to purchase a less costly license to hunt. This new license is called a Youth Hunting License. Some caveats, though: They must be supervised by a parent or guardian over the age of 21, but they need not take the Hunters Safety Course before getting this license. Public Act 98-0620

Laws Concerning Education

The Illinois School Code will be modified to have "dyslexia" included in its special education provisions. The State Board Of Education is mandated with training teachers how to help children with this disability. This training is supposed to be finished before July 31, 2015. We shall see how that goes! Public Act 98-0705

The Critical Health Problems And Comprehensive Health Education Act is amended to mandate that every youth will be taught in school how to use an Automated External Defibrillator - more commonly referred to as AEDs. AEDs are used for those suffering heart attacks. Parents having religious or moral 

objections to the teaching of this procedure may have their child opt-out of this class. Public Act 98-0632

As an homage to the Teachers Unions, The School Code is amended to change the order in which teachers are called back to work after layoffs. Public Act 98-0648

Laws Concerning Government

The Criminal Code will be modified requiring State's Attorneys to make sure people committing sexual assaults get tested for STDs, so victims can be informed if they may have contracted a disease from this assault. Public Act 98-0760

The Illinois Lottery code is now modified to show support for the Illinois Special Olympics. A "Go For The Gold" scratch-off game has been authorized for sale. Supposedly, all proceeds from the sale of this game will go to support the Special Olympics and the participating athletes. Public Act 98-0649

I hope you've enjoyed this newsletter. As always, please keep me in mind should you, your family, friends or colleagues need legal assistance.

Best wishes to you and yours for a happy, healthy holiday season!