New Cunningham law to make reaching 911 easier backed by Illinois State Police

• HB5502

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham sponsored legislation that makes it easier for callers to reach 911 during an emergency was signed into law Friday.

“This new law helps children during times of an emergency,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the southwest suburbs. “We are removing barriers that hinder people from calling 911 and we are making it easier for first responders to locate the caller.”

Under current law, multi-line telephone systems require dialing "9" or another number to reach an outside line. Places like businesses, hotels and government buildings use these systems to handle two or more calls coming in at the same time. Under the new law, MLTS vendors and manufacturers must configure new systems to support direct dialing 911.

This goal of this legislation is protect people and specifically children. Back in 2013, a women was killed in a hotel room by her estranged husband. Her daughter attempted to call 911 four times, but the calls never went through because the hotel’s multi-line telephone system required her to dial “9” before making an outbound call. Illinois will follow suit with other states who have already passed this legislation.

House Bill 5502 will also update regulation on multi-line systems to provide accurate information about the caller’s location within a building or complex. Far too often, large hotels or complexes use multi-line systems and it is difficult for emergency response to get an exact location on the caller. This is ensures people needing help during an emergency are able to be located by first responders.

“This legislation will save lives and could save your child’s life,” Cunningham said.

House Bill 5502 is effective immediately.

Cunningham: Bike Across America

• Bike Across America

New laws supported by Cunningham to protect people from carjackings

• HB601
• HB3772
• HB3699

CHICAGO – Last year alone, more carjackings were reported in Chicago than in any other city. To address the increase in car thefts and hijackings, State Senator Bill Cunningham supported and co-sponsored a series of bills that were signed into law Thursday. 

“Carjackings have skyrocketed in Chicago,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “Innocent people are affected by this crime daily, so we have to address the issue head-on by giving law enforcement the tools they need.”  

The bills signed into law include: 

House Bill 601, which seeks to thwart tech-savvy car theft rings. Car thieves have exploited new technology that can pick up the signal from a key fob at a distance, allowing a victim’s vehicle to be unlocked or stolen even while the fob remains in their home. The new law modernizes the definition of the possession of burglary tools offense to include devices designed to unlock or start a vehicle without a key and devices designed to capture or duplicate a signal from a key fob.   

House Bill 3699, provides law enforcement with additional resources to coordinate efforts to put a stop to carjackings. The new law will fund the formation of law enforcement task forces to track carjacking rings that operate in multiple jurisdictions. Similar task forces have been successful in enabling police to share criminal intelligence to target narcotics trafficking.  

House Bill 3772, which will provide protections for victims of carjackings who receive red light or speed camera violations after their vehicle has been hijacked. The law will also waive towing and storage fees for victims of carjacking if their vehicle is recovered and brought to an auto pond.  

“It is both foolish and unfair to hold victims responsible for any fees or citations placed on a car after it has been stolen from them,” Cunningham said. 

The new laws take effect Jan. 1, 2023. 

Cunningham: Property After Death Forum

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www.SenatorBillCunningham.com/PropertyAfterDeathForum