New laws starting Jan. 1 address distracted driving, bowling shoes

SPRINGFIELD - More than 250 new state laws take effect tomorrow covering a dizzying array of topics and penalties. The Daily Herald pored over the list to find 10 of the more interesting -- if not curious -- laws hitting the books in 2010.

Want to delve deeper? Use the bill number to find the full text of a law at www.ilga.gov.

1. Texting and drivingIllinois joins the growing number of states specifically targeting drivers who text message while behind the wheel. As of today, it is a primary offense, meaning you can be pulled over for that alone. The $75 ticket also counts as a moving violation, so it will count toward a possible driver's license suspension and could raise insurance rates.The push for such laws took on added momentum after a 2006 incident in Urbana in which a teen driver trying to download ring tones hit and killed a bicyclist.Supporters say any distraction while driving can have devastating consequences."You'd be amazed at what happens in 2 seconds," said Mike Stout, traffic safety division director at the Illinois Secretary of State's Office.And how will police know what you're doing behind the wheel?"You'd be surprised how much we can see into a vehicle when we're next to it," said Illinois State Police Capt. Jim Wolf.A related new law bans all drivers from using cell phones in school or construction zones unless the phone is in hands-free mode. (HB 71, HB 72)2. Bowling shoe warningsBowling alleys that post signs warning of the potential dangers of wearing bowling shoes outside will be immune from lawsuits if people subsequently slip and fall.State Rep. Frank Mautino, a downstate Democrat from Spring Valley, said a local bowling alley in Peru, Ill., approached him with the idea nearly 15 years ago. The idea, he said, is to give bowling alleys the same legal protections enjoyed by baseball stadiums and skate rinks.But each year the proposal stalled in Springfield.The difference this year? "The indoor smoking ban is the reason it passed," said Mautino. "People have to go outside now. The situation comes up that people are wearing the (bowling) shoes outside to smoke."The already smooth-soled shoes become extra slick if they pick up water, snow, ice or other debris and increase the likelihood someone will fall. The legislation says that if the bowling center places a warning sign near the entrance and exit, the owners cannot be sued if someone then falls.After championing the proposal for the better of his legislative career, Mautino isn't exactly beating his chest over it becoming law."I don't know that it's going to make a huge difference," he said, though noting it could slightly lower bowling alley insurance rates. (SB 1335)3. Concealed carryState parole agents and parole supervisors are now allowed to carry concealed weapons at all times. (HB 202)4. College creditNo longer can college students get free T-shirts and pizza for filling out credit card applications. A new law bans the freebies that had frequented college campuses. The same law also requires schools to offer financial education classes informing students about the consequences of debt if the school enters into any deal with credit card companies.Another provision prohibits colleges, universities and any other school - including student and alumni associations - from selling student information to banks and credit card companies. (HB 2352)5. Student votingCollege ID cards and rental leases are now considered acceptable forms of identification when registering to vote. The legislation was sponsored by two Champaign-Urbana area Democrats. (HB 4077)6. American madeAll flags flown outside state and local government buildings must be made in the United States. (HB 1332)7. Unsocial networkingSex offenders are banned from using social networking Web sites while on parole, probation, or any other supervised or conditional release. Social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook have been purging themselves of thousands of accounts linked to sex offenders in recent years. State attorneys general, including Illinois', pressured the social networking giants to create stricter rules and warning about the dangers that may lurk online. Hundreds of Illinois sex offenders have been found and removed from the two sites. (HB 1314)8. It's for my friendHealth-care professionals are now allowed to prescribe antibiotics to the partner of a patient with a sexually transmitted disease without that partner coming in for an office visit. The goal is to increase treatment among those who might not otherwise go to a doctor. (SB 212)9. I can't drive 55Outside Chicago and the collar counties, big rig trucks will now be able to drive 65 mph. Their speed is still restricted to 55 within the metro area.The increase ends a lengthy legislative battle for truckers. State lawmakers had routinely hiked the speed limits for big rigs only to have then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich veto the increase. This time, Gov. Pat Quinn signed the law.Supporters of the increase say the roads will be safer if all traffic follows the same speed limit. Critics say the huge trucks need to go slower because it takes them longer to stop. (HB 3956)10. Scrap metalA down economy spurred an increase in theft of copper pipe, wire and other precious metals from vacant homes and businesses. For instance, someone stole 280 feet of copper gutters and downspouts off the David Adler Cultural Center in Libertyville.Now, not only can authorities arrest the thief, they can also seize any vehicles used in such theft. (HB 4013)False360240No more texting while driving, thanks to a new law that goes into effect tomorrow. False <div class="infoBox"><h1>More Coverage</h1><div class="infoBoxContent"><div class="infoArea"><h2>Stories</h2><ul class="links"><li><a href="/story/?id=347801">Full list of 250 state laws which begin Jan. 1 <span class="date">[12/31/09]</span></a></li></ul></div></div></div>