(SPRINGFIELD) Around a dozen new state laws go into effect a week from tomorrow, on January 1st, 2025, making changes to Illinois’ criminal justice system. Here’s a look a few :
- One changes the name of the offense “unlawful use of a weapon” to “unlawful possession of a weapon” – the law also changes the name of the offense from “armed habitual criminal” to “persistent unlawful possession of a weapon”
- Another new law requires law enforcement training to include a course to assist officers identifying and responding to people with autism
- One new law says that in hazing offenses, it is no longer a defense that the person being hazed was consenting to or permitted the hazing
- Yet another new law says if a person fails to appear in court, the court may send them a text, a call, or an email with notice regarding continued court dates
- And finally, another new law creates the Uniform Statewide Crime Statistics Task Force and requires it to meet at least quarterly to assist the State Police in the development of and implementation of an integrated software system for gathering and publishing crime data from all law enforcement agencies throughout the state.
(SPRINGFIELD) Also starting January 1st, Illinois schools will face new mandates and bans. Here’s a look at some of the changes made to affect most schools throughout the state :
- One new law will require school districts to provide all students with at least 20 minutes a week of relaxation activities in addition to recess
- Another new law continues to prohibit corporal punishment in nonpublic elementary and secondary school throughout the state
- One of the new laws addressing school emergencies is that all public schools be required to have an automated external defibrillator present during the school day and during all school-sponsored extracurricular activities – also, all schools will be mandated to provide information regarding emergency procedures and lifesaving technique, such as AED use, hands-only CPR, and the Heimlich maneuver
- Another new law requires the Illinois State Board of Education to create an Evidence-Based Funding spending plan tool on its website.
(SPRINGFIELD) This holiday season, the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and over 200 police and sheriff’s departments around the state are joining forces for the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, running now Friday, and then again over the New Year’s holiday time frame as well. All drivers are reminded that law enforcement personnel will not only focus on impaired drivers, albeit by both alcohol and drugs, they’re also looking for those not using their seat belts while driving, for those driving too fast for conditions, for those texting while driving, & for other traffic offenses.