July 30, 2010

Illinois judges would have the discretion to impose an extended term prison sentence if an individual is convicted of a major sex offense against a child younger than 18 years old who was under the influence of alcohol at the time the offense took place, now that Senate 1020 (PA 96-1390), sponsored by Sen. Dillard, has been signed into law.

“As the father of two young daughters, this bill struck a chord. This law sends the message that the legal system won’t tolerate those who use alcohol as a way to incapacitate a minor, or anyone trying to take advantage of a situation where the victim was obviously inebriated.” Dillard said. The senator pointed to a tragic incident in Burr Ridge tragically involving a young woman who was sexually assaulted after she had become seriously intoxicated.

State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) sponsored Senate Bill 1020, known as Jasmine’s Law, following Senate Committee testimony of Denise Rotheimer, founder of Mothers on a Mission to Stop Violence. Rotheimer pursued SB 1020 after her daughter, Jasmine, was given alcohol and sexually assaulted. Rotheimer traveled to the Capitol to testify in favor of Senate Bill 1020 saying more could be done to strengthen Illinois laws to protect children from sexual predators.

“After Jasmine's Law SB 1020 was introduced to the Criminal Law Committee members, Senator Dillard immediately voiced his support for this legislation by referencing that he had signed on as a chief co-sponsor because of the impact Jasmine's story had on him, and praised the strength of the legal language,” said Rotheimer. “It was important that we get the bill passed to ensure that other victims will have the protection under the law that my daughter did not have at the time she was raped in 2001.”

Dillard said that it would not make a difference if the defendant supplied the alcohol or not. He said the sexual offenses that Senate Bill 1020 extends to include predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual abuse.

Pretending to be the parent or guardian of a minor looking to get “inked” now has hefty consequences since legislation sponsored by Sen. Dillard has been signed into law.

House Bill 4895 (PA 96-1311) creates a new criminal offense that makes it illegal to pretend to be the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 who is seeking to get a tattoo, or facial and body piercing.

“As the father of two young daughters, I would be beside myself if I found out someone misrepresented their identity to help my child get a tattoo,” said Dillard. “My hope is that increasing the penalties will make people think twice about whether or not they’re willing to put their neck on the line so someone else can get a tattoo.”

The penalty for the new offense could result in up to 30 days in county jail, probation or a fine up to $1500.

Currently, anyone under 18 is prohibited from even being in a tattoo parlor or body piercing business, unless accompanied by his or her parent or guardian. Several years ago Dillard sponsored the legislation requiring parental permission for a child to be pierced.

“At the time, I was surprised to learn that wasn’t already a law,” said Dillard.

The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2011.

July 29, 2010          

People who “game” the system to illegally receive public assistance are the focus of a new law sponsored by Sen. Dillard. Senate Bill 3815 (PA 96-1346) creates a task force to assess the pervasiveness of public assistance fraud in Illinois in order to determine whether the state should enforce more stringent penalties for those convicted of fraud.

“The state offers assistance to people who truly need aid. Low-income families who help getting back on their feet, low-income seniors, people with disabilities and nursing home residents—there are people who have a legitimate need for assistance,” said Dillard. “However, there are also dishonest individuals who intentionally seek benefits and services they aren’t entitled to. These are the people who threaten the integrity of our public assistance programs.

“Public aid fraud keeps assistance from flowing to those who need it most—mostly children and senior citizens.”

The senator explained that the Public Benefits Fraud Protection Task Force would conduct a thorough review of the state’s public assistance program and the nature of public assistance found. Task force members would then calculate the detriment of public assistance fraud, and decide whether or not the state should enforce tougher penalties against people seeking to take advantage of the system.

“Every year Illinois loses money to fraud and abuse. We need to determine how much of the state’s resources are being lost so we can take reasonable steps to address the problem,” said Dillard. “Recently, the New York Times projected up to 10 percent of Medicaid—the state’s largest expenditure—is fraud. That is a whopping $1.3 billion of potential savings in Illinois!”

July 29, 2010

Legislation (HB 5147/PA 96-1314) sponsored by Dillard was signed into law, thereby authorizing the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a thermochemical conversion technology demonstration permit. The permit authorizes Packer Engineering Inc. to proceed with the development of “gasifer” technology that Dillard explained would enable Naperville to take its biomass, such as mulch and yard waste, and convert it into alternative energy.

“This project will save money by reducing the cost of removing the waste and it will diminish harmful emissions. However, most importantly this project will have a significant economic benefit for the entire region,” said Dillard. “Our community has been lucky to have progressive, innovated businesses establish themselves here. This development will draw even more business and create even more good-paying jobs for area residents.”

The technology being advanced by Packer Engineering Inc. could convert biomass into ethanol, electricity for plug-in vehicles, or into hydrogen for fuel-cell vehicles. The current plan is for the city of Naperville to use the alternative energy to fuel its fleet.

Peter Schubert, Senior Director of Research and Development at Packer Engineering Inc. says the invention can save municipalities money, and promote growth.

“House Bill 5147 recognizes advances in technology for converting biomass to vehicle fuel, paving the way to creating jobs and new industries in Illinois,” said Schubert, who explained that the gasifer is a first of its kind demonstration of a municipality-based biomass-to-fuel system. “This saves money twice for the city, by avoiding hauling charges for biomass, and by reducing the spending on petroleum-based fuels; our carbon footprint is also reduced, and America’s energy imports drop as well.”

Having been signed into law, HB 5147 took effect immediately.