280 new laws take effect Jan. 1 

[DEC. 27, 2005]  FORSYTH -- Effective with the start of the new year, 280 new laws become effective, according to state Rep. Bill Mitchell.

"As we celebrate the start of a new year, many new laws go into effect that could impact you or your family," said Mitchell. "Some of these new laws seek to protect families from the devastating crime of identity theft."

Public Act 94-36 requires data collectors to notify consumers following discovery of a security breach, without regard for whether the data has been accessed by an unauthorized third party for legal or illegal purposes.

A second bill, House Bill 173, Public Act 94-43, prohibits placing a child's Social Security number on child support collection forms.

"Identity thieves can ruin you financially if they get their hands on important personal information such as your Social Security number," Mitchell said. "I feel strongly that state government and businesses need to take extra precautions to keep that vital information out of the wrong hands, and these new laws will help achieve that goal."

Highlights of other new laws taking effect:

• Public Act 94-598, sponsored by Mitchell, allows the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish and maintain a program devoted to encouraging the rapid establishment of businesses and employers in business parks by developing standards for the location, development and maintenance of business parks in Illinois.

• Sponsored by Mitchell, House Bill 3544, Public Act 94-513,  allows the state treasurer to enter into written agreements with financial institutions to install automatic teller machines at the state fairs in Springfield and DuQuoin.

• Co-sponsored by Mitchell, House Bill 2509, Public Act 94-648, establishes the Hospital Basic Services Preservation Fund to help hospital providers receive loans in order to maintain certain basic services essential to the community.

• Public Act 94-12 prohibits the sale of yo-yo waterballs in the state.

• Public Act 94-241 prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from operating a motor vehicle unless every occupant in the vehicle is wearing a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt.

• Public Act 94-391 allows nursing mothers to be excused from jury duty.

"I hope everyone has a healthy and happy new year," said Mitchell.

[News release from Rep. Bill Mitchell]