Illinois is bringing down the hammer for the New Year. And when I say bringing down the hammer, I mean a few significant changes, but mainly obscure and long-overdo rules. The slew of new laws went into effect Jan. 1, 2016, and topics range from pumpkin pie to law enforcement regulations.
1. Fake 9-1-1 Calls
The first version of this law came about in 1998, when phony 9-1-1 calls could land you in jail for a year or amount to a $1,000 fine. Now, it’s 10 times that amount with a $10,000 reimbursement. Some may think this is an extreme measure, but as it is, a significant number of 9-1-1 phone calls do not require emergency assistance.
When you think of the pranksters who make officers and emergency responders waste time and energy, as well as cost the state money from bogus cases of “Boy Cries Wolf,” the fine doesn’t appear so harsh. In 2010, a deputy was seriously injured in a car accident when he was responding to one of these hoax calls.
2. Locked Pill Bottles
As if pill bottles aren’t already hard enough to open, there will now be numerical locking devices on prescription opioid drugs (painkillers). It’s the first pilot program of its kind in the United States, but it doesn’t seem necessary. Drug addicts are addicts for a reason, and a lock is merely an inconvenience for those who are actually in need of the medicine, not a preventative for abusers.
3. Animal Care
If animal cruelty takes place in the presence of a minor, the penalties start at a $250 fine and no less than 100 community service hours. Additionally, exposing pets to extreme temperatures is illegal, not to mention immoral, which begs the question of how this law wasn’t already instated. I understand this law for suburban household pets, but farmers with pets and dogs meant to withstand the cold should be exempt. Lastly, Illinoisans are once again allowed to hunt bobcats, but good luck.
4. Underage Drinking
THE DRINKING AGE IS 18 AGAIN! Just kidding, but this new law will finally put an all too common debate to rest. If you are a teenager under the influence of alcohol, but not to the degree of your friend who you would like to call an ambulance for, you can now do so without fear of being arrested. All I have to say is it’s about damn time this is official. Obviously, calling for emergency medical help shouldn’t be debated, but teenagers are immature, selfish and dumb, and sometimes their stupidity results in someone else’s death.
5. Drunk Driving
A Breathalyzer ignition device is now required for those who have received a fourth DUI and have been sober for three years. Initially, this law may seem absurd, because why do persistent drunk drivers deserve penance? Then again, people who have access to a car will drive it, whether they have the authority to do so or not. Kids are known to risk severe punishment just to drive without a license early, and drunks arguably have the same mentality. You might as well make it as difficult as possible by requiring them to blow every time they drive.
6. Drugs
With the decriminalization of marijuana, it’s important to clarify what is actually considered marijuana. Synthetic marijuana is known on the streets as K2, and the new law states no one can be in possession of, distribute or manufacture K2.
7. Elders
Families can video record their loved ones in nursing or assisted living homes to monitor their treatment. This is absolutely awesome. Old people are like babies in a lot of ways, and they shouldn’t be mistreated or abused simply because they are incapable of caring for themselves. Let’s just hope grandma remembers to shut off the camera before she gets her freak on.
8. School Discipline
Suspensions and expulsion in public schools will decrease now that schools are not allowed to follow a “zero tolerance” policy. Administrators are required to explore all avenues before punishing a student.
I’m not a fan of this law because I believe students who don’t want to learn will continue to be disruptive in class until they get what they want. School officials shouldn’t have to go through the stress of exhausting all their resources for a child who simply isn’t cut out for formal education.
9. Therapy Techniques
With same-sex marriage being legal, it’s an obvious step to ban gay-conversion therapy. Any efforts to change a minor’s sexual orientation and claim that it is a mental illness are prohibited. I’m sure many people weren’t even aware that this existed on a legitimate level. Luckily, the quack therapists who continue to follow this agenda will violate the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
10. Body Cameras on Police Officers
With all of the recent police brutality cases, body cameras have been discussed amongst government officials for quite some time. In Illinois, it’s been decided that officers aren’t required to wear one, so basically nothing is changing. Apparently they felt that it was necessary to clarify their stance on the issue, and in my opinion, they chose the wrong one.
Bonus: Pumpkin Pie
I’m still not sure why this is considered a law, but pumpkin pie is now the official state pie. I know what you’re thinking; I too have had trouble sleeping at night knowing Illinois didn’t have an official state pie. All laws are supposed to be seen as equal, so this surely will help with the Illinois government’s credibility.
If you’re a rule-following junkie, you can read the full list of the new 237 laws at abc7chicago.com. Otherwise, these 10 laws are all you really need to know in order to stay well informed about your local government’s latest shenanigans.
