Take a look at some of the alterations that will take effect in Illinois on January 1st, 2023. Parts of the controversial SAFE-T Act are among the new laws that will go into effect in Illinois on January 1.
On January 1st, 2023, we will be implementing the following changes. Bail Outs No Longer Permitted to Be Paid in Cash. In January 1st, 2018, cash bail will no longer be allowed in Illinois as part of the Pretrial Fairness Act.
The General Assembly has approved a bill that will give judges the authority to decide whether or not defendants charged with certain felonies and violent misdemeanors pose a danger to the public. In addition, judges will have to determine whether the defendant is a flight risk.
If the judge makes any of these rulings, the defendant could face pre-trial detention.
First and second-degree murder, predatory criminal sexual assault, robbery, burglary, residential burglary, aggravated arson, arson, kidnapping, aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm, and any other felony involving the use or threat of physical force or violence against an individual are all examples of so-called “forcible felonies” that may invite judicial discretion on pre-trial detention.
Non-probational felonies, forcible felonies, hate crimes, and attempted crimes that would otherwise warrant arrest were all added to this list under the most recent amendment. All violent felonies, hate crimes, animal torture, and DUIs resulting in serious physical harm were also added.
For offenses with a potential probation sentence, detention hearings would not be required; however, judges could still decide to keep defendants in jail pending trial if they posed a danger to the community.
Possibly, those accused of stalking, aggravated stalking, domestic battery, or aggravated domestic battery would be detained pending trial.
Adjustments to the Detention Process
“those currently detained can request to have the new system applied to their situation,” said a spokesperson for Illinois Senate President Don Harmon’s office.
Legislators proposed a tiered system for granting hearings on such requests to make the process “manageable for courts.” The outcome of the hearings would then decide whether or not the current detainee should be released. Included in the tiers are:
An initial hearing must be held no later than seven days after being requested, except for minor offenses (such as shoplifting).
Within 60 days of detention, those who are considered flight risks will have their cases heard.
People suspected of being dangerous typically have their cases heard within 90 days.
The CROWN Legislation
The CROWN Act, or the Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act, is a proposed amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act that would strengthen protections for people with natural hair in the workplace. The bill “provides that ‘race’ as used in the Employment Article includes traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles like braids, locks, and twists,” as stated by the General Assembly.
Information Service for New College Students
The Student Confidential Reporting Act, passed in May, creates a program through which schools, the state, and the Illinois State Police can receive reports and other information about students or school employees who may be at risk of harm or self-harm.
There will be a toll-free phone number and other options for getting in touch with Safe2Help’s operators and relaying messages and data.
Program to Test Apprenticeship and Internship Models
A five-year pilot program will be established under the Job Training Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program Act to provide services such as transportation assistance and child care subsidies to qualified individuals who might have otherwise struggled to complete an apprenticeship or internship without these supports. By January 1, 2028, the governor will have received and reviewed the pilot’s findings.
The Act to Establish a Task Force to Investigate the Disappearance and Murder of Women in Chicago.The purpose of the newly established task force mandated by this law is to investigate “the systemic causes behind violence that Chicago women and girls experience.” New policies and practices will be developed “that impact violence against Chicago women and girls and the investigation and prosecution of crimes of gender-related violence against Chicago residents,” as well as “appropriate methods for tracking and collecting data on violence against women and girls in Chicago,” including data on missing and murdered women and girls.
The task force will collect information about many of these crimes and report its findings to the legislature and the governor.
Redesigning Sport-Related License Plates
The new Illinois Vehicle Code mandates that the Secretary of State offer license plates featuring the Chicago Sky, Chicago Fire, or Chicago Red Stars logos to anyone who requests them. The St. Louis Rams logo can no longer be added as an optional extra.
Throwaway Plastics
Illinois’s new “Procurement Code” gives preference to bids that offer compostable or recyclable food ware for any contract awarded by a state agency or higher education institution.
If passed, this legislation would award such contracts to the lowest responsible bidder, with the proviso that “an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the use of compostable food ware or recyclable food ware may be given preference over other bidders who are unable to do so; provided that the bid is not more than 5% greater than the cost of products that are single-use plastic disposable food ware.”
Further, it “prohibits the acquisition and use of single-use plastic disposable food ware in State parks and natural areas.”
The New State Snake of Illinois
The Eastern Milksnake has been designated as the official State snake of Illinois thanks to a change to the state’s Designation Act.
There are milksnakes all over Illinois, and the state’s Department of Natural Resources says they prefer to spend the winter in “small mammal burrows” in the ground.
Milksnakes are deadly because they squeeze their victims to death. “When disturbed, it will rapidly vibrate its tail, hiss, and strike,” the DNR says.
A common misconception held that it could be used to milk cows, hence the name.
Act to Prohibit the Use of Latex Gloves
Any restaurant or other business that deals with food must stop using latex gloves after January 1. It also forbids first responders from using these gloves. After January 1, 2024, all healthcare providers must phase out latex gloves.
Suppose a crisis prevents a food service establishment from obtaining non-latex gloves. In that case, a sign must be displayed at the point of order or purchase to inform customers of the temporary switch to latex gloves for food preparation.
