New Illinois laws affect everything from social media to divorce - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

New Illinois laws affect everything from social media to divorce

In 2013, 150 new laws will go into effect in the state of Illinois, covering subjects that could affect everyone, from underage drinking to telephone bills.

Beginning on January 1, a telephone billing ban will help protect consumers from phone cramming, and being later billed after being solicited for free trials.

The "social host" law will feature stronger venalities for parents and guardians who allow underage drinking in their home. Those who allow it will face a Class A misdemeanor and a $500 fine.

Thanks to another bill, residents' social media passwords will now be protected from their employers. Employers will no longer be able to request social media account information from current or prospective employees.

Despite the large number of new laws, Rockford Attorney Chuck Prorock believes the law pertaining to social media will have an effect on the most people.

"A lot of employers were requiring employees to provide passwords so they can check out those social media sites to see if there were some things that were offensive, so that probably affects the most people," he says.

In the realm of divorce, specific timetables must now be followed in regard to child support expenses.