Quinn Signs Two Privacy Laws

One law loosens eavesdropping regulations for drug investigations

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed two new laws Tuesday. One gives judges some extra privacy while the other takes some away from suspected drug criminals.

"These laws will help law enforcement get more criminals off the street and protect the members of our judicial system as they carry out justice for the people of Illinois," Quinn said in a release.

House Bill 5877 prohibits businesses and government agencies from publicly posting information about judges three days after a judge has requested that his or her personal information not be revealed. It also lets a judge use his or her work address instead of a home address to apply for an Illinois identification card.

That law is a response to the murder of the mother and husband of U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow, the governor's office said. Investigators believe the murders happened in retaliation for an unfavorable ruling by the judge, according to the governor's office.

House Bill 4081 allows the State Attorney or his or her designee to approve the use of an eavesdropping device by a law enforcement officer to investigate drug crimes under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, Cannabis Control Act, and Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act.

"As a former State's Attorney for Madison County, I know this law will be invaluable in reducing the drug crime that plagues our communities," said State Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton), who sponsored the legislation.

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