NEW LAWS AFFECTING ILLINOIS CITIZENS By SECRETARY OF STATE GEORGE H. RYAN

One of the new laws in Illinois this year expands the use of Social Security numbers to track down "dead-beat" parents and another provides tougher penalties for drug-impaired drivers. I supported these provisions, which took effect Jan. 1, during last spring's legislative session.

Each of these laws promotes responsible citizenship. They will be welcomed by anyone who believes parents should be responsible for supporting their children, and that drivers should be responsible when they get behind the wheel of a car.

The child support measure allows the Secretary of State's office, beginning in October 1992, to release Social Security numbers to officials of the Illinois Department of Public Aid (IDPA) to track down non-supportive, or "deadbeat" parents.

That agency expects the measure will help it divert at least $1.6 million in tax refunds to the families of such parents. In addition, public aid officials believe the law will convince more parents to make their payments voluntarily.

I remain committed to guarding sensitive information from unnecessary exposure, but parents' rights to privacy should not be balanced on the backs of their children.

The legislation was sponsored by former Rep. Tom Ewing (R-Pontiac) and Sen. Beverly Fawell (R-Glen Ellyn).

Another measure closed a loophole in state law that treated drug-using drivers more leniently than drunk drivers.

Under the revised law, a driver failing a chemical drug test faces an automatic 12-month suspension of driving privileges if he or she has had a prior suspension for impaired driving. Previously, a second drug-related offense brought only a three-month suspension.

Sponsors of the legislation were Sen. David Barkhausen (R-Lake Villa) and Rep. Dan Cronin (R-Elmhurst).

Other laws took effect Jan. 1 that:

• Allow the Secretary of State's Business Services Department to provide an expedited process for corporate filings. Businesses now can pay an additional fee for a filing to be handled within 24 hours, rather than the usual five- to nine-day processing period.

These filings include articles of incorporation, corporate annual reports, certificates of good standing and the reservation or transfer of a corporate name.

The department projects that approximately one-fourth of new corporate filings, or about 100,000 filings each year, will be made on an expedited basis. Other states' experiences have shown that the additional workload would be supported entirely by the extra fees.

Sponsors of the law were Sen. Barkhausen and Rep. Robert Churchill (R-Lake Bluff).

• Remove the requirement that applicants for a drivers license or instruction permit provide a copy of their birth certificates that have been certified within the last two years.

The law also strengthens enforcement over fraudulent or fictitious licenses and provides for more uniform administrative sanctions.

The measure was sponsored by Sen. Carl Hawkinson (R-Calesburg) and Rep. Penny Pullen (R-Park Ridge).

• Place a $40 cap on the fee dealers may charge purchasers for document preparation related to the retail installment purchase of a vehicle.

Sponsors were Sen. John Davidson (R-Springfield) and Rep. Don Hensel (R-West Chicago).

As these new laws attest, the Secretary of State's office serves and protects Illinois citizens in a variety of ways. During my administration, we will continue to support legislation that serves the public interest. •

February 1992 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 25