SPRINGFIELD - On Jan. 1, 2016, 237 new laws go into effect in Illinois, including measures that impact fighting crime, government transparency, business, hunting, health, and family. Animals Humane Care for Animals (SB 125/PA 99-0311): States that, “No owner of a dog or cat may expose the dog or cat in a manner that places the dog or cat in a lifethreatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat or cold conditions.” Business Illinois continues to rank near the bottom when it comes to being a business-friendly state. In 2015, however, Sen. Sue Rezin led the effort in one of the very few pro-growth, pro-jobs business reforms passed by the General Assembly during the spring session. SB 1672/PA 99-0463 will allow businesses to file and receive a permit directly from the state, instead of going through the federal government. That will speed up the application time and provide for more certainty for job creators. Duplicative Small Business Regulations (HB 3887/PA 99-0370): Requires state agencies to examine their rules, administrative regulations, and permitting processes as they pertain to small businesses in order to identify those rules, regulations, and processes that are unreasonable, unduly burdensome, duplicative, or onerous to small businesses. Equal Pay Act Changes (HB 3619/PA 99-0418): Provides that the Act applies to all employers (currently only employers with four or more employees). Provides that any violation of the Act will subject employers to a civil penalties. Sets different penalty structures for employees with fewer than four employees and those with four or more employees. Committing public policy violations will subject the employer to a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000. Minimum Wage Employers Negotiations (SB 38/PA 99-0017 – Sen. Pamela Althoff): An initiative of the Illinois FOP Labor Council that amends the Minimum Wage Law by allowing a collective bargaining unit to negotiate and contractually exempt themselves from the hourly wage requirements imposed by the Act. Instead, the union can agree to an alternate shift schedule as allowed under federal law. Residential Mortgage License Act Changes (HB 3369/PA 99-0015 – Sen. Sue Rezin): Amends the Residential Mortgage License Act to improve the efficiency and include modern best practices in the regulation of the Act. Title Insurance Fee (HB 3910/PA 99-0104): Provides that each title insurance company fee of $3 per policy is paid by the agent or agent’s parent company. Consumers Landlords Accumulated Interest (HB 1319/PA 99-0253): Provides that the lessor shall, within 30 days after the end of each 12-month rental period, pay to the lessee any interest that has accumulated to an amount of $5 or more, unless the lessee is in default under the terms of the lease. All accumulated interest that remains unpaid, regardless of the amount, must be paid over to the lessee upon termination of the tenancy. 10
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