Opinion ID: 2144018
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Subsequent Legislation

Text: Questions are raised in these appeals with regard to the effect of subsequent legislation passed by the Illinois legislature. We briefly discuss that legislation. Following the circuit court of Cook County's decision in Johnson, the General Assembly began revisiting different portions of Public Act 89-428 in separate pieces of legislation. Public Act 89-457, mentioned above, was enacted on May 22, 1996. Public Act 89-457 recodified the Environmental Impact Fee Law that was contained in article 3 of Public Act 89-428. Public Act 89-457, like Public Act 89-428, imposed the fee to begin on January 1, 1996. Public Act 89-457 also contained a provision validating all actions taken in reliance on article 3 of Public Act 89-428. Public Act 89-452 was enacted on May 17, 1996. Public Act 89-452 contained an exemption from the offense of eavesdropping for employers similar to that contained in article 6 of Public Act 89-428. The exemption established by Public Act 89-452, however, was more limited than that contained in Public Act 89-428 and contained far more details concerning its application. On May 29, 1996, the General Assembly enacted Public Act 89-462, which created the Child Sex Offender and Murderer Community Notification Law. That law is substantially similar to the Child Sex Offender Community Notification Law created by article I of Public Act 89-428. Public Act 89-462 also recodified the provisions of article 2 of Public Act 89-428. Public Act 89-689 was enacted on December 31, 1996. That Act addressed three provisions that had been contained in Public Act 89-428:(1) the timing of parole hearings, formerly addressed in article 5; (2) the Truth-in-Sentencing Commission, formerly addressed in article 6; and (3) fitness hearings for criminal defendants receiving psychotropic drugs, formerly addressed in article 6. Several provisions of Public Act 89-428 have not been addressed in subsequent legislation. Those provisions include the enhanced felony classifications for possession and delivery of cannabis contained in article 4, the addition to the child hearsay exception contained in article 6, and the provision regarding prisoners' reimbursement for incarceration expenses contained in article 6.