Illinois Statehouse Review for the week of Jan. 19

ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews bills in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers: Senate Bill 2534 (mortgage foreclosure); House Bill 3979 (association bylaws), House Bill 3981 (expert witness) and House Bill 3850 (local government). More information on each bill is available below the video.

• Senate Bill 2534 (Wilhelmi, D-Joliet) adds to the mortgage foreclosure provisions a definition of "abandoned residential property" to include any two of 14 different criteria. Examples of some of these criteria include (1) if gas, electric, or water utility service to the property has been terminated and (2) windows or entrances to the property are boarded up or closed off or multiple window panes are broken and unrepaired. Provides requirement and procedures for an expedited judgment and sale of abandoned residential property. Ends the period of redemption for abandoned residential property on the date of the judgment confirming the judicial sale. Introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Assignments.
• House Bill 3979 (Nekritz, D-Des Plaines) requires the bylaws of an association to provide that a unit owner may not vote by proxy in a board officer election but may vote by mail. Introduced and referred to the House Rules Committee.
• House Bill 3981 (Kosel, R-Mokena) creates a statutory Daubert statute for expert witnesses. Introduced and referred to the House Rules Committee.
• House Bill 3850 (Sente, D-) Makes it a “public record" to include any agreement between a person or entity and a unit of local government authorizing or requiring the unit of local government to rebate or refund all or a portion of any tax imposed by the unit of local government upon the person or entity. Requires counties and municipalities to post related information on the county's or municipality's website. Preempts the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Introduced and referred to the House Rules Committee.