WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderNew laws take effect January 1, 2010

New laws take effect January 1, 2010

UNDATED (WREX) - A number of new laws that could affect your daily life take effect in Illinois with the start of the new year.

Former Winnebago County Deputy State's Attorney and legal expert Chuck Prorok says many of the new laws are helping Illinois catch up to other states. Prorok was on 13 News Today Tuesday morning to talk about the changes. You can watch his entire interview by clicking the video link at the top left of this story.

Below are some of the major law changes for 2010:

Texting While Driving

The rules for cell phone users are the big changes. First, it is now illegal to text or read text messages while you are driving. Anyone caught will face a $75 fine. Drivers can check messages if they pull over to the side of the road or are at a standstill in traffic with their car in park or neutral. That law also applies to instant messages, emails and surfing the Internet while driving.

Cell Phone Use in School/Construction Zones

Another new law bans any use of cell phones in school zones and construction zones.

Street Legal Vehicles

Golf carts and ATV's can now operate on some local streets. Those types of vehicles will be allowed to be on roads with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or less and cross a street that has a posted speed limit of 45 mph or less. Drivers must hold a valid Illinois driver's license and vehicles must have brakes, steering, a rear-view mirror, headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, reflectors on the front and back and a slow-moving vehicle sign in the rear. Seat belts aren't required.

Voting Change 

All Illinois voting systems must detect and notify voters if they under vote, which is a ballot that doesn't include votes for one or more races. Voters will be notified when they do not cast a vote for any of the state constitutional offices (governor, attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller, treasurer).

Juvenile Misdemeanors

The age for misdemeanor cases to be held in juvenile court will be raised from 16 to 17.

Juvenile court provides more latitude in accessing services for offenders, such as mental health, drug treatment and appropriate community-based services for an increased chance of rehabilitation.

This change does not affect suspects who commit felony crimes.