As we greet the New Year, I want to wish each of you a happy 2010.  During 2009, the Illinois General Assembly worked very hard to pass legislation and as of January 1^st, many new laws went into effect.  If you are interested in a brief summary of some of these new laws, please take a few minutes to read the partial list which is included in this newsletter.

Full Summary of Laws

• It is now illegal in the state of Illinois to text while driving a vehicle to cut down on distracted driving accidents (HB71).
• It is also illegal to use a cell phone in a school or construction zone unless it is hands free (HB72). Motorists are required to hang up prior to entering these zones or they could be ticketed.
• The speed limit for trucks on rural interstate highways was raised to 65 mph, the same as for cars (HB3986).  This does not change the speed limit for trucks in the collar counties.
• HB2455 allows Low-speed vehicles, such as some golf carts, to now legally drive on roads with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less, unless a local government outlaws them.
• Credit card companies are no longer allowed to offer free pizzas and other gimmicks on college campuses to lure students into signing up for credit cards (HB2352).
• HB52 states veterans who are partially disabled will be able to receive one free set of Disabled Veteran specialty license plates which were previously only given to those who were 100 percent disabled.
• There are also four new specialty plates available for members of the Distinguished Flying Cross, plates for members of the Teamsters and United Auto Workers unions, and Operation Iraqi Freedom license plates.
• SB2217 counts enhanced skills driving school as a drivers education course to receive a driver’s license in Illinois.
• Ethics investigations are now conducted with the results of the investigation made public if the investigation results in a state employee being fired or suspended for at least three days. Previously, results of such investigations were confidential (SB54).
• Professional registered lobbyists now must go through the same ethics training as state workers. They must report their spending more frequently and pay higher fees for the privilege of lobbying in the state (SB54).
• The law also increases protections for whistleblowers who report illegal activities and strengthens so-called revolving door provisions that affect some state employees who then move to private sector jobs in the ethics package (SB54).
• HB3718 requires cell phone towers and other AM broadcast facilities to be at least 300 feet from residential property lines.
• The state’s Freedom of Information Act, which is designed to make public documents public, has been updated (S189). It now requires public bodies to respond faster to FOIA requests, limits circumstances under which governments can reject information requests and, for the first time, allows fines to be imposed if a governmental unit deliberately violates the law.
• The public can now see the salary and benefit information about the district superintendent, administrators and teachers through the State Board of Education each year.
• In HB1314, convicted sex offenders are prohibited from accessing social networking Internet sites such as Facebook and MySpace as long as they are required to register under the state’s Sex Offender Registration Act.
• Convicted sex offenders are prohibited from using computer software to delete information on any computer used by the offender while on mandatory supervised release, probation or supervision (HB550).
• HB760 declares each April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
• It is now mandatory to revoke the Firearm Owners Identification Card of a person who is the subject of an order of protection (HB3991). Lawmakers also increased the penalty for carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon on public transportation, and increased the penalties for giving or selling a firearm to a convicted felon.
• American Indians are exempt from the state’s indoor smoking ban when used for their religious services and rituals (SB1685).
• American flags flown at state and local government buildings in Illinois must now be made in America (HB1332).
• HB921 requires dentists who administer anesthesia to now have automated external defibrillators in their office.
• Schools must also add Mexican-American history and the history of disabilities and people with disabilities to their curriculum.

I invite you to visit the Illinois General Assembly website www.ilga.gov, which has a variety of information, including the full text of every legislative bill – whether passed into law or proposed but not enacted.   This website is a very helpful tool for those of you who are interested in tracking proposed legislation.

On January 12^th, members of the Illinois General Assembly will be returning to Springfield to address remaining issues from the current session.  The new legislative session begins on January 13^th at which time the Governor will make his “State of the State” address at noon to the Illinois General Assembly.

I hope that you enjoy receiving these updates, and I will continue to keep you updated on issues affecting our district and our state.

Happy New Year!

IL State Rep. Renée Kosel

Springfield… State Representative Renée Kosel (R-New Lenox) adamantly opposed campaign finance legislation that fails to reduce the power of party bosses or reform the current political landscape in Illinois. Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 1466, House Amendment #3 by a vote of 66-49.

“Today, the efforts of Republicans, bi-partisan reform groups and statewide media to place meaningful caps on campaign contributions were blatantly ignored. This campaign finance bill places caps on everyone except party leaders. The Democrats have dragged their feet on any real reforms and fought tooth and nail to protect their own interests,” Rep. Kosel said. Continue reading »

Mokena…State Representative Renée Kosel (R-New Lenox) has filed legislation aimed at rectifying the long lame duck period currently in place when township assessors and collectors take office. House Bill 4627 amends the timeframe after the election cycle for township assessors and collectors to take office on the third Monday of May instead of January 1 of the following year. This will bring them in line with the other local township officials who take their oath of office in May.

The current law allows township assessors and collectors to remain in office for eight months after they have lost their election. The new legislation would not impact current assessors and collectors as it cannot take effect until the next election cycle which is 2013. However, Rep. Kosel is confident that this legislation would prevent a long lame duck period. Continue reading »

Mokena, IL…There was a packed room of school officials and educators from across the Will County region at the Frankfort KidsWork Children’s Museum for an Education Legislative Luncheon hosted by Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and State Representative Renée Kosel (R-New Lenox).

“It was great to hear from those who are invested in our education system from across the region including Frankfort, Homer Glen, Joliet Mokena, New Lenox, and Plainfield. Our area boasts some of the best school systems in the state, and ensuring that their needs are represented in Springfield is one of my most important priorities,” Rep. Kosel said.

Among the education funding issues highlighted, Rep. Kosel outlined a new plan (House Bill 4622) she is co-sponsoring to provide funding for the college MAP scholarships in the spring semester that were eliminated from the Fiscal Year 2010 state budget. The plan would allow delinquent taxpayers to pay what they owe in income and sales taxes (from June 20, 2002 through January 15, 2010) to the state without interest or penalty. It is estimated that the tax amnesty program could generate approximately $104.9 million to be deposited in the Illinois Student Assistance Commission MAP fund.

Rep. Kosel visits with attendees of her Education Legislative Luncheon.

Continue reading »

Mokena, IL…In an effort to role back the Cook County sales tax, State Rep. Renée Kosel (R-New Lenox) co-sponsored legislation that would make it easier for the Cook County Board to override vetoes made by the Cook County President.

Recently, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger vetoed an initiative of Cook County Commissioners that would have rolled back the Cook County sales tax by 0.5 percent. Cook County Commissioners fell one vote short of overriding the veto as current law requires a four-fifths vote to override. Continue reading »

Frankfort – The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) recently hosted a Will County Legislative Forum at the Frankfort Fire Protection District Training Center. The event was attended by fire officials from 15 fire departments/protection districts throughout Will County. State Representative Renée Kosel (R-New Lenox) and State Senator A.J. Wilhelmi (D-Joliet) were the keynote speakers and explained the current state of affairs in Springfield. This was followed by an overview of fire service legislation provided by IFSA Government Affairs Director Margaret Vaughn. The event was wrapped up with a question and answer session in which fire officials were able to express concerns to their legislators about specific legislation.

IL Fire Safety Alliance Forum

Continue reading »

Mokena, IL…More than 250 area residents attended a Property Tax Appeal Forum hosted by State Representative Renée Kosel (R-New Lenox) on Tuesday, September 8th. The event, which was held at Cross of Glory Church in Homer Glen, featured a legislative update by Rep. Kosel regarding property tax relief legislation, and was followed up by presentations on the assessment and appeal process by the Will County Supervisor of Assessments and the Will County Treasurer. Continue reading »

Mokena…This week, the Governor signed into law legislation introduced by State Representative Renée Kosel (R-New Lenox) that will help keep homeowners informed about developments that may impact their quality of life. House Bill 3718 (now Public Act 96-0696) establishes public hearing requirements concerning the construction of cell towers.

“I have always been a strong advocate for public awareness and encouraging communication between local municipalities and their residents especially when it comes to development. Homeowners have a right to be informed and heard when a massive cell tower may be constructed near their property,” Rep. Kosel said. Continue reading »

Mokena… State Representative Renée Kosel (R-New Lenox) is inviting the public to attend a Property Tax Appeal Forum on Tuesday, September 8 at 7 p.m. at Cross of Glory Lutheran Church, 14719 West 163rd Street, Homer Glen. Local tax experts will be on hand to educate people on the topic of property tax assessments and how to appeal an assessment.

Rep. Kosel will also discuss current property tax relief programs available through the state. Special presenters invited to participate include Will County Supervisor of Assessments Rhonda Novak, Will County Treasurer Pat McGuire and Homer Township Assessor Karen Szynkowski. Property assessments in Will County were mailed out August 14 and the appeal deadline is September 21. Continue reading »