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Springfield… New laws protecting consumers who buy gift cards, restrictions on smoking, and tougher permit requirements for teenage drivers are among the more than 100 news laws slated to take effect in January, according to State Sen. John J. Millner (R- Carol Stream).
Under House Bill 369, gift certificates and gift cards cannot expire nor have their value reduced, as long as they are used within a five-year time frame. Previously, reductions in the value of gift cards and expiration dates were set by the issuer of the certificates.
One of the most widely debated new laws this year is the ban on smoking in public places, Senate Bill 500, which will apply to virtually all businesses and public places.
On another topic, a number of safety measures and increased restrictions go into effect January 1, in an attempt to protect teen drivers.
The smoking ban prohibits smoking within 15 feet of all public buildings and places of employment. It also requires all employers to post signs at the entrance to the building that clearly state it is a “no smoking” zone and requires removing all ashtrays at the entrances to the buildings. Businesses can download signs by going to http://www.idph.state.il.us/smokefree/smokefreesigns.htm
Several new laws focus on teen driving. One of these, Senate Bill 172, strengthens the state’s Graduated Driver Licensing program following recommendations from the Secretary of State’s Teen Driver Safety Task Force.
The legislation increases the required permit phase for drivers younger than 18 from three months to nine months, proposes a stricter driving curfew for new drivers, and sets tough penalties – including license revocation and vehicle impoundment – for drivers who are involved in street racing. It also imposes increased penalties for new drivers who commit a moving or seatbelt violation, and prohibits drivers younger than 18 from having more than one passenger younger than 20 in the car for the first year he or she has the permit. An exemption is allowed for siblings of the driver.
Another new law, Senate Bill 140, prohibits anyone younger than 19 years old who has a driving permit from using cellular phones while driving, except in case of emergency. In addition, House Bill 518 will allow parents to access the driving records of their teenagers while they have a graduated driver’s license.
Other bills becoming law on January 1 include: |
