Illinoisans to be affected by new laws on July 1

[June 30, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- Under one of several new laws that take effect July 1, Illinoisans will face a tougher penalty if they drive without insurance, according to state Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield.

Under Senate Bill 624 (Public Act 94-1035), if individuals are convicted of driving without insurance, they will face an automatic three-month suspension of their driver's license and must pay a reinstatement fee of $100 before they can get their license back. The fee is in addition to a fine of up to $1,000 that drivers can also be required to pay. Anyone convicted of driving without insurance while their license is suspended will receive an additional six-month suspension.

Under another new law, Senate Bill 1268 (Public Act 94-1072), some Illinois workers will see a pay increase as the state's new minimum wage takes effect on July 1. Illinois employers will be required to pay minimum-wage employees $7.50; this will be followed by 25-cent yearly increases until 2010, when the state's minimum wage will rise to $8.25. The new legislation allows for workers under 18 years old to be paid up to 50 cents per hour less than the current minimum wage.

Other measures that will take effect on July 1:

Tattoo registration -- Senate Bill 927, Public Act 94-1040 -- Requires the Department of Public Health to regulate tattoo and body piercing facilities in order to ensure sanitation and sterilization standards are complied with.

Interagency Alcoholism and other Drug Dependency Board -- Senate Bill 2199, Public Act 94-1033 -- Requires the board to meet quarterly and advise the Department of Human Services in substance-abuse programming.

Prompt payment -- House Bill 5260, Public Act 94-972 -- Requires construction firms to be notified within 30 days of a defect or problem being discovered in their bill. Currently, state agencies are required to report defects in a prompt manner, which may go beyond 30 days.

Teen driver licenses -- House Bill 1463, P.A. 94-916 -- Students who are under the age of 18 and are classified as habitually truant or do not maintain attendance in school may not receive a driver's license from the secretary of state.

Illinois Skills Match -- Senate Bill 2449, P.A. 94-786 -- Requires all executive branch entities, public universities and constitutional officers to use the Illinois Department of Employment Security's Skills Match program or provide links to IDES online site for use on the Skills Match site. The Skills Match program acts as a central clearinghouse for information and opportunities for those seeking employment in Illinois.

Day and temporary workers -- House Bill 3752, Public Act 94-1102 -- A companion bill to the minimum-wage hike, this measure clarifies that the increase applies to day workers and temporary workers over the age of 18.

[Text from news release sent on behalf of Sen. Larry Bomke by Illinois Senate Republican staff]