ISBA Statehouse Review for the week of Dec. 15

ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews bills in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers: Senate Bill 397, which changes the State tax credit of the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act; No. 97-20, which creates a new statute to allow first-offender probation for certain felonies and No. 97-28, which creates two exemptions from prosecution for eavesdropping. More information on each bill is available below the video.

Correction to video: The proposed eavesdropping legislation came from the Intellectiual Property Section Council - not the Criminal Justice Section Council.

Senate Bill 397 (Hutchinson, D-Chicago Heights; Bradley, D-Marion) changes the State tax credit of the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act to be $2 million for persons dying before Jan. 1, 2012; $3.5 million for persons dying on or after Jan. 1, 2012 but before Jan. 1, 2013; and $4 million for persons dying on or after Jan. 1, 2013. It has passed both chambers as part of the CME/Sears tax package, and Governor Quinn has indicated that he will sign it. A PDF version of the bill may be found here (PDF), and these changes are on pages 288-292 of the 292-page bill.

No. 97-20. Creates a new statute to allow first-offender probation for certain felonies. (Proposed by the Criminal Justice Section Council.)

No. 97-28. Creates two exemptions from prosecution for eavesdropping. If a business entity records or listens under the telemarketing or solicitation exemption, the consumer may record as well. Allows a citizen to record a law enforcement officer performing public duties that can be heard by the citizen with the unassisted human ear. (Proposed by Intellectual Property Section Council.)