Page 52 - February 2020 FOP Magazine

An article submitted by a Lodge 7 Magazine Sponsor
Flood of new 2020 laws likely to impact Illinois police
Police and Illinois State Trooper safety was top of mind for Illinois legislators going into 2020.
protection when they are simply trying to follow their sworn duty to protect and defend. As you may know, Ellis was one of six Illinois troopers struck by a vehicle and killed in
2019.
Also, police investigating shootings on state high-
SB 1862 strengthens Scott’s Law (requiring motorists to slow down, change lanes and proceed with caution when approaching disabled or emergency vehicles on the side of the highway) by increasing fines and penalties associated with breaking the law.
ways can count on more support. The Illinois Ex- pressway Safety Act will upgrade 600 state highway cameras to ensure they have recording capabilities and provide additional cameras along Cook County freeways. The use of images from these cameras is limited to the investigation of offenses involving firearms and detec-
tion of highway hazards.
The law debuting with the most notoriety is the long-de-
bated legalization of marijuana for recreational use. While the measure limits those who may grow pot, it is available to the public through dispensaries.
The rules governing the use of medical cannabis in schools also have been loosened. School nurses and administrators may now dispense it to students who are registered patients of the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program.
The new cannabis laws promise to significantly impact po- licing. Since Illinois officers will no longer be required to dedi- cate time and energy enforcing marijuana laws, they can focus more on violent crime. Also, proponents of legalized marijuana are hoping that the decrease in incarcerations for minor drug offenses will hasten longer prison sentences for gun violations and violent crime.
According to my research, 10 other states have legalized mar- ijuana, and some early data shows an increase in crime-solving. FBI data from Colorado and Washington indicate that crime clearance rates jumped for both violent and property crimes after the legalization of marijuana.
Although not directly related to the criminal code, some of the nascent laws may lead to fewer crimes or preempt scenari- os that require police intervention.
For instance, SB 3550 is aimed at sexual assault prevention. It requires sex education classes to include age-appropriate dis- cussions on the meaning of consent, including that it can be withdrawn at any time and past consent does not constitute future consent.
Addressing the suicide epidemic, public colleges and univer- sities must now make mental health and suicide prevention re- sources readily accessible to students starting in the 2020-2021 academic year. The skyrocketing rates of depression, anxiety and suicide that hit an inflection point during the college years underlie this state mandate to provide resources on public campuses.
As the new decade dawns, these measures hopefully will demonstrate Illinois lawmakers’ support for our dedicated po- lice force and the invaluable work they do.
Ted McNabola is the founding partner of McNabola & Associ- ates, serves on the Board of Directors of the 100 Club of Chicago and has been named a Top 100 Consumer Attorney in Illinois.
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TED McNABOLA CIVIL LITIGATION
Fines now start at $250 for first offenses and $750 for subsequent violations. The creation of the Scott’s Law Fund will produce educational materi-
als and hire off-duty Illinois State Troopers to enforce the law. I have the privilege of representing the Ellis family in con- nection with the tragic death of Illinois State Trooper Gerald Ellis, 36. Through the lens of the devastated family of one of our fallen heroes, I have seen the urgent need for stronger laws
to protect the safety of police officers.
It is infuriating that officers are not provided with the utmost
52 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ FEBRUARY 2020