Dec. 04--As the General Assembly's fall session wound down, state lawmakers sent the governor measures Wednesday that would raise jury duty pay, increase penalties for "revenge porn" and expand early voting in Illinois.
The Senate approved legislation that would make it a crime worthy of a potential prison sentence to distribute sexually explicit videos or photos online without a person's consent. The growing problem has humiliated victims in a form of exploitation known as "revenge porn." The measure now will be considered by Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn.
Lawmakers also sent Quinn legislation to keep same-day voter registration and expand early voting to 40 days before an election. The state also would be required to develop a phone app to allow for online voter registration, and polling places that distribute "I voted" stickers would be required to give one to every voter that requests one.
A watered-down measure to put in place regulations for ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft went to the governor. The legislation sets insurance requirements and would require companies to conduct background checks on drivers. Anyone who has more than three moving violations or one major violation in the last three years would not be eligible to be a driver, nor would anyone who is listed in the sex offender database or has been convicted in the last seven years of driving under the influence.
The measure also would require ride-sharing companies to disclose fares, including when they charge more for service during high-demand times in a practice known as surge pricing.
The Senate sent the governor legislation that would lift the 10-year time period in which a lawsuit may be filed over claims on asbestos-related sickness, a measure heavily backed by Democrats and the trial lawyers who support them.
Another trial lawyer-backed bill that went to Quinn would cut the number of jurors on civil court cases from 12 to six. The bill also would increase juror pay from $17 a day or lower to $50 a day.
