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Will it Pass? New Laws Proposed in Illinois: Part 2

This is 1818’s second article profiling legislation that has been filed in the Illinois Legislature that interests us and hopefully you.  As you review these initiatives, it is important to remember that most will not become law, and the few that do will likely be amended before being sent to the governor.  In 2019, there were thousands of bills filed; however, only 599 were passed by the general assembly.

If you are looking for a government relations consultant, contact 1818 today.

Lawsuits Against Unlicensed Security or Alarm Contractor

  • Under current law, an interested or injured party can sue someone who performed security or alarm services without a license. Licenses from IDFPR for these services are required under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. HB 4375 allows attorneys’ fees and costs to be awarded if the injured party is successful in obtaining injunctive relief against the unlicensed contractor.
  • 1818 Note – While IDFPR is responsible for ensuring that individuals are licensed under this Act, this new provision would allow injured parties to collect attorneys’ fees from the unlicensed individual or company if they are successful in seeking relief from the court. This could prompt lawsuits from competitors against unlicensed contractors.

Brewing Mead in Illinois – Liquor Law

  • SB 2551 would allow Class 1 and 2 brewers to manufacture and sell mead.
  • 1818 Note –Mead is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey with water and combining it with grains, spices, fruits, and sometimes hops. It is also referred to as honey-wine.

Local Government Immunity for Data Breaches

  • SB 2511 would grant local governments immunity from the unauthorized access to records, data, or electronic information systems.
  • 1818 Note – Local governments need to focus on cybersecurity and email security. Blanket immunity for data breaches could cause municipalities to neglect data security. It will be interesting to see how other elected officials approach this subject.

 Waiver of permit fees after a disaster

  • HB 4319 allows local governments to waive permit, inspection, and related fees for rebuilding efforts after a disaster. A disaster is defined to include fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, hazardous materials spill, or other water contamination, …etc..
  • 1818 Note – Rebuilding after a disaster can be difficult and expensive due to available contractors or materials. This legislation prompts local governments to encourage reconstruction by reducing building-related government fees.

Cannabis Advertising

  • HB 4339 would allow certain cannabis advertising so long as it is done via an app on a phone or tablet used by an individual who is 21 years of age or older.
  • 1818 Note – As cannabis becomes more mainstream in Illinois, dispensaries are going to be looking for new and innovative ways to reach potential customers. This, as with all cannabis regulation, is worth keeping an eye on.

The information in this blog post is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. You should not make a decision whether or not to contact an attorney based upon the information in this blog post. No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. If you require legal advice, please consult with an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

Author Bio

Jordan Matyas is a lawyer, lobbyist, and Founder of 1818 Legal, an Illinois professional licensing defense law firm he created in 2014. With more than 18 years of experience practicing law, he represents clients in a wide range of legal matters, including professional license defense, administrative law, land use and zoning, and state, local, and municipal law.

Jordan received his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois — Chicago School of Law and is a member of the Illinois Bar Association. 

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