NEW LAWS TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1
New laws take effect January 1 in the areas of honoring our fallen armed forces heroes, eliminating unauthorized phone bill charges, and reporting missing children.
Gold Star license plates will be available from the Secretary of State for Illinois residents who are the surviving widow, widower, sibling, or parent of a person who lost his/her life in armed forces service to our country. The Secretary of State, at his discretion, may make all plates vanity or personalized plates. More information is available at the Secretary of State website.
"Phone cramming,” the practice of putting charges on a telephone bill for unauthorized services, was abused by third party providers, not necessarily your phone company. Victims of "phone cramming" are billed for products or services they did not authorize or order. The new law makes it illegal for a third-party vendor to bill a consumer for goods or services on their telephone bill.
Another new law creates a new offense for failure to report a missing child. The legislation stems from the death of Caylee Anthony, a two-year-old, missing in Florida in 2008. Local authorities were not notified of Caylee Anthony's death for more than 30 days, sparking a nationwide effort to reform state laws to ensure a missing child or death of a child is reported within 24 hours.
CRIMESTOPPERS LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON HART CEMETERY DAMAGE
Crime Stoppers of Macoupin and Montgomery Counties is looking for information relating to criminal damage to property at the Hart Cemetery south of Litchfield. Someone drove through the cemetery property leaving tracks and ruts. Anyone offering information leading to an arrest is eligible for a $1000.00 reward. If you have information, please call 1-800-352-0136.
SHOAL CREEK WHITETAILS UNLIMITED BANQUET
The Shoal Creek Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited banquet is Saturday, February 2, 2013, at the Highland KC Hall. The evening begins with a social hour and games at 5:00 p.m. and the banquet buffet from 5:00 – 7:00. Tickets are $40.00 for singles, $20.00 for spouses, and $18.00 for children ages 15 and under. For more information or to order tickets, call Greg at 664-9735.
