Bill Summaries


Vetoes

Gov. James Thompson applied the first amendatory veto of his administration June 30 to S.B. 1143, a bill to establish court procedures for releasing defendants, found not guilty by reason of insanity, from mental institutions. Thompson recommended additional provisions requiring a pre-release examination by a psychiatrist independent of the Department of Mental Health, and a court hearing before a change in the court's original order is made. Both additions were accepted by the legislature with constitutional majorities in each house, which Thompson so certified August 2, as required by law. (A vote of three-fifths of the members of each chamber is needed to override an amendatory veto.) The bill is now law, P.A. 80-164.

The governor's veto of a section of S.B. 753, that would have allocated funds for an Office of a State Women's Advocate, drew the ire of 19 women's groups August 11. "This is the kind of attention women get in Illinois from Gov. Thompson," said Ellen Benjamin, coordinator of the Illinois Women's Agenda. The coalition of women's groups was particularly angered by the governor's delay in naming an advocate for women, as promised in his campaign. The governor's remark that "Women and consumers can fend for themselves a little longer," made in announcing why he was appointing a child welfare advocate before advocates of other interest groups, was called "downright insulting" by Rep. Giddy Dyer (R., Hinsdale). Dyer has been a strong supporter of Thompson on most issues. Thompson says he still intends to name a Women's Advocate, but is looking for "a strong woman to do the job."

One of the most bitterly controversial issues before state legislatures nationwide is the question of whether to legalize use of the drug laetrile, which is manufactured from peach pits. The Illinois legislature passed a bill, H.B. 1200, to allow use of the so-called cancer treatment drug, but Gov. James Thompson vetoed it August 24, saying he believes laetrile is "totally ineffective in treating cancer." In vetoing the bill, which would have permitted use of laetrile by licensed doctors to treat only patients diagnosed as having terminal cancer, Thompson said, "Laetrile has never been shown to be effective against cancer in any reputable clinical study .... I cannot justify its use without becoming a hidden partner in deception . . . ."

Noting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ban on transportation or sale of laetrile, the governor said legalization would "put our stamp of approval on the black market." As to the freedom of choice issue raised by the drug's advocates, Thompson maintained that such freedom "always depends on accurate knowledge about the choices available. Very few citizens have the laboratory facilities to test laetrile on their own. And no cancer victim has the time. That is why it is very much the government's responsibility to make a judgment about laetrile on behalf of the people it represents."

Public Acts
H.B. 1928 (P.A. 80-290), to allow counties to regulate and license massage parlors in unincorporated areas of Illinois, was signed by the governor August 23.

S.B. 818 (P.A. 80-159), designed to establish a comprehensive soil erosion and sediment control program with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, was signed into law by Gov. Thompson August 1. The law would "help assure the future productivity of our agricultural lands," according to Thompson. The former director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Leo Eisel, who was appointed by Thompson, says the bill was "gutted" by amendments. It becomes effective January 1, 1978.

S.B. 21 (P.A. 80-163), transferring 58.74 acres of state-owned land to the City of Alton was signed by the governor August 2. The land is to be used for park and open space purposes, according to Gov. Thompson. It had been part of the Alton Mental Health Center.

Illinois motorists will get five-year license plates beginning in September 1978 under a new law signed by the governor August 4. Instead of buying new plates each year, motorists will buy stickers annually to put on the plates. The plates themselves will be made of heavy gauge aluminum. The new system "will save $10 million to $14 million over the life of the plates," according to Secretary of State Alan J. Dixon. Illinois is the 45th state to adopt a multi-year license plate program. H.B. 381, which makes the change (P. A. 80-230), passed the House 156-4, and the Senate 55-1.

Motorized pedalcycles are now legal in Illinois under S.B. 1301 (P.A. 80-262), signed by the governor at a plant which plans to manufacture the vehicles in Olney. The use of motorized bicycles, known as mopeds, is permitted by the new law for all holders of valid Illinois driver's licenses. Speed limits for the cycles call for a maximum capability of 30 miles per hour on level ground, and mopeds may not be used on roads

28/ October 1977/ Illinois Issues


with a speed limit of over 45 miles an hour. No more than one person may ride a moped unless it is constructed specifically for the purpose, with extra passenger seat, handgrips and footrests. Registration includes a yearly $12 fee per machine. The secretary of state will collect the fee and issue a license plate for each moped. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Terry L. Bruce (D., Olney), and was signed at the AMF, Inc., plant in Olney where production of mopeds is planned, beginning early in 1978.

A repeal of the eight-hour work day for women passed into law August 21 with the governor's signature of H.B.53 (P.A. 80-226). The eight-hour-day law for women had been in effect since 1937, although in recent years it has been applicable only to employers with fewer than 15 workers.

Guns which daze target victims with an electric shock, also known as lasers, or "stun" guns are placed in the same class as handguns and other dangerous weapons under a new law signed by the governor August 22. The measure, H.B. 289 (P.A. 80-259) was approved unanimously in both houses of the legislature. Gov. Thompson said the guns can be just as dangerous as hand guns, causing severe damage to the nervous system. Manufacturers of the weapons say effects of the shock are temporary.

The new farm tax assessment bill, which sets land value by a formula based upon productivity, is now law. The governor signed S.B. 493 (P.A. 80-249) at a State Fair ceremony during a popular Chicago farm radio program, WGN's Noon Show. (See August Legislative Action and Mick Cochran's interview with Agriculture Director John Block on page 19.)

H.B. 44, raising the benefit level of the state's circuit breaker tax relief program for the elderly and disabled, was signed into law August 18. It will mean increases of up to $ 150 a year in circuit breaker tax payments to those over 65 or disabled with incomes of under $10,000. The P.A. number of the new law is 80-257. (See August Legislative Action.)

H.B. 409 (P. A. 80-269), appropriating over $250,000 for construction planning of the law school at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, was signed August 22.

H.B. 2240 (P.A. 80-291), requires a mandatory autopsy of any child under two years of age who dies unexpectedly.

Prison inspections, S.B. 687 (P.A. 80-367), requires that all state prisons be inspected annually by the Illinois Department of Public Health to check sanitary conditions and medical treatment.

Earphone driving, S.B. 166 (P.A. 80-361), outlaws the wearing of headset receivers while driving a motor vehicle.

Child visitation rights, H.B. 1824 (P.A. 80-373), allows grandparents of a child whose natural parents have died to visit the child if he has not since been adopted.

Hazardous materials, S.B. 245 (P.A. 80-351). tightens regulations on all trucks hauling hazardous materials on Illinois roads by adopting federal standards.

Vice mayor of Chicago, H.B. 608 (P.A. 80-308), establishes office of vice mayor for Chicago, to be elected by the city council to serve as acting mayor in the event of a vacancy in the office.

Medicare supplements, H.B. 1191 (P.A. 80- 435), requires that insurance firms revise certain of their policies and advertisements so as to be less misleading to purchasers. ž

October 1977 / Illinois Issues / 29


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