theVoice rockfordchamber.com February 2014
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Issues to Watch LEGISLATIVE 200+ new Illinois laws take effect in 2014 More than 200 new laws took effect on Jan. 1, 2014, including measures targeting distracted driving, rules and regulations associated with medical marijuana for those with chronic illnesses, an increase in the state speed limit to 70 miles per hour on most Illinois interstates, the legalization of gay marriage and major changes to the government worker pension system. Visit www.ilga.gov/ legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp for official language of the bills.
Distracted Driving: Cell Phone Ban Illinois joined roughly a dozen other states with laws banning the use of cell phones while driving, unless using hands-free technology, according to House Bill 1247. The prior law only prohibited texting and driving. Drivers still can make calls in an emergency. Violators will be fined $75 for a first offense, and up to $150 for repeat offenses as well as a moving violation on a driving record. Another law increases penalties for accidents involving someone using a cell phone or other communication device while behind the wheel, if it leads to a motor vehicle accident resulting in serious injury or permanent disability. According to House Bill 2585, those convicted could be charged with a felony, carrying penalties of up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. A survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that at any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving.
70 mph Speed Limit Illinois’ speed limit increased to a maximum of 70 miles per hour (mph) on most interstates and toll highways with Senate Bill 2356. Currently 34 states have speed limits of 70 mph or higher, 15 have speed limits of 75 mph, and one has a speed limit of 85 mph. Cook County; the collar counties around Chicago; and Madison County and St. Clair County near St. Louis, can opt out via ordinance. Wisconsin joined Illinois in increasing the speed limit to 70 mph on most state highways with a recent vote by the Wisconsin Assembly. All of Illinois’ neighboring states now have the 70 mph maximum speed limit.
At the request of the Illinois State Police, the same bill increases the penalty for speeding from a petty offense to a misdemeanor. Speeding in excess of 26 mph but less than 35 mph (currently 31-40 mph) will be a Class B misdemeanor. Speeding in excess of 35 mph (currently 40 mph) will be a Class A misdemeanor.
Other driving laws taking effect in 2014 ■■ Prohibition on tracking devices to locate or track a person/entity. Does not apply to lawful usage by a law enforcement agency or if given consent by the vehicle’s registered owners, lessor/lessee. ■■ Separate offenses for construction or maintenance zone speed violations, whether or not workers are present. ■■ Automated Enforcement violations for passing/ overtaking a school bus when loading/unloading children. ■■ Raised penalties for vehicle operation with suspended license from Class 3 felony to Class 4 felony if the accident results in bodily harm. ■■ Anyone convicted of or pleading guilty to DUI who had a blood test performed after refusal to a breath test will reimburse the cost for the administrations of that blood test; even if the test was non-consensual.
Medical Marijuana in Illinois Last summer, Illinois signed its new medical marijuana law. House Bill 1 legally allows authorized patients suffering from about 30 specific diseases and conditions to use medical marijuana grown by an approved cultivation center and purchased from a registered dispensary. The Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois of Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Illinois Department of Agriculture have 120 days from Jan. 1 to develop a registry of patients allowed to use marijuana, and establish the rules and regulations governing medical marijuana cultivation centers and dispensaries. The Illinois bill is considered to be one of the most strictly drafted medical marijuana laws in the country. Doctors are prohibited from prescribing the drug for generalized conditions such as “chronic pain” or “severe nausea.” Other restrictions … Medical Cannabis Organizations (MCOs). Patients or caregivers can’t cultivate marijuana, but would purchase medical cannabis from stateregulated cultivators, MCOs. MCOs are limited to one per state senate
Debilitating medical conditions on the approved medical marijuana list are: (Any citizen may petition the Department of Public Health to add debilitating conditions or treatments to the list.) cancer glaucoma positive status for HIV AIDS hepatitis C amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Crohn’s disease agitation of Alzheimer’s disease cachexia/wasting syndrome muscular dystrophy severe fibromyalgia spinal cord disease, including but not limited to arachnoiditis, Tarlov cysts, hydromyelia, syringomyelia
Rheumatoid arthritis fibrous dysplasia spinal cord injury traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome Multiple Sclerosis Arnold-Chiari malformation and Syringomyelia Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) Parkinson’s Tourette’s, Myoclonus Dystonia Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy RSD (Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Type I)
district, must be non-profit and must be issued a registration by the Department of Public Health. They may not locate within 2,500 feet of a school or share office space with physicians. All cannabis would have to be cultivated in enclosed, locked facilities with appropriate security measures in place. Medical Marijuana Possession Limits. MCOs could distribute no more than 2.5 ounces to any patient during any 14-day period, unless the patient’s physician certifies the patient needs a specific higher quantity. Caregivers, who may serve only one patient, would be permitted to pick up medicine for very ill, homebound patients and would also be subject to this possession limit. Registry ID Cards. Anyone permitted to possess cannabis – patients, caregivers and MCO agents – would be issued ID cards by the Department of Public Health, to protect them from arrest and give law enforcement officers an easy way to verify a person’s status. Restrictions on Driving. No one can operate a motor vehicle within six hours of ingesting cannabis or with specific body concentrations. Employer Rights. Employers
Causalgia CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Type II) Neurofibromatosis Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Sjogren’s syndrome Lupus Interstitial Cystitis Myasthenia Gravis Hydrocephalus nail-patella syndrome residual limb pain
may continue to enforce policies concerning drug testing, zerotolerance or a drug free workplace, applied in a “nondiscriminatory manner.” Employees still can be disciplined for “ingesting cannabis in the workplace, working while under the influence or for otherwise violating the proper standard of care.” Landlords could prohibit smoking on the premises of leased property. Other limitations include restrictions on … ■■ the use of cannabis contributing to negligence, professional malpractice or professional misconduct; ■■ possession in a school bus, on school grounds, in a private residence used to provide licensed child care or in any correctional facility. ■■ Smoking medical in a public place where an individual could reasonably be expected to be observed by others, in a health care facility or any other place where smoking is prohibited under the Smoke Free Illinois Act, or knowingly in close physical proximity to anyone under 18.
Get to Know Your Ambassadors Name: Diane James Company: MembersAlliance Credit Union Position: Business Development Representative How long have you been an Ambassador? One year What do you like most about being an Ambassador? Being able to welcome new businesses and helping mark milestones with others. I enjoy the opportunity to get to know my fellow Ambassadors. Networking and participating in Chamber events is just good business. I’m pleased to represent MembersAlliance Credit Union as a Rockford Ambassador.