Artwork shows the fight of the 54th Massachusetts’ Colored Regiment in the Civil War. This piece is part of “Freedom: A History of US,” an exhibit illuminating critical figures and events from America’s struggle for freedom, which will open Jan. 11 at the Elmhurst History Museum.

STATE

New divorce law decides who gets the family pet

Divorce proceedings have so many assets to divvy up. And, the decision of one question can raise a lot of concern: Who gets the dog? 

Under SB 1261, which Gov. Bruce Rauner signed in August and took effect in Illinois Jan. 1, the judge will now answer that question. In deciding the fate of any family pet, a judge may take into consideration important pet parent details concerning who takes care of the animal on a day-to-day basis, and who spends more money on necessities such as food and vaccinations.

Two other new laws that took effect Jan. 1 also affect animals.

SB 1884 requires laboratories to make a reasonable effort to find homes for dogs or cats used in their research.

And, staple circus character is now a part of history. To protect elephants from harmful training conditions and abuses, SB 1342 prohibits circuses or traveling animal acts in Illinois from using African and Asian elephants.

Doctors can renew patients’ disabled parking permits

Technology is making it easier for people with disabilities to renew their parking placards while visiting their doctor. Physicians can renew their patient’s disability placards online via the Illinois Secretary of States website, making Illinois the second state in the nation to provide this service.

Persons with disabilities are required to renew their permanent disability parking placards every four years. With the upgraded renewal system, the Secretary of State’s office sends a renewal certification form to the authorized holder of permanent disability placard approximately three months prior to their parking placard’s expiration date. The renewal certification form contains the information of the authorized holders including their current parking placard number and authorized pin number. The authorized holders then take the form to their physician, who submits the patient’s information online at cyberdriveillionis.com.

Then, the certification form is submitted instantly to the Secretary of State’s office. If the authorized holders provided an email address, they will receive an email confirmation that their application has been received. Following approval, their updated placard will be mailed. The new system reduces the amount of time it takes for individuals to receive their new parking placard.

The next expiration date for parking placards is Jan. 31.

COUNTY

DuPage, Will leaders want to ban sale of some animals

DuPage County joined with Will County and State Sen. Michael Connelly (R-Naperville) to call for a ban, in those counties, on the retail sale of animals obtained from commercial breeders, which can have lower health and welfare standards.

Connelly’s legislation is the result of a joint effort between leaders in DuPage County, Will County, The Humane Society of the United States, The Puppy Mill Project and several other local animal advocacy groups. The bill would bring state laws regulating the retail sale of animals obtained from commercial breeders in line with similar ordinances already enacted in Chicago and Cook County to protect the consumer, improve animal welfare standards, encourage pet adoption and responsible breeding and bring about an end to animal cruelty for profit.

Connelly said commercial breeding “can be a sad and abusive industry.” The bill is designed to help stop inhumane practices and encourage pet stores to partner with animal shelters and rescue organizations. This legislation will not make it illegal to breed pets. People will still be able to purchase an animal directly from a breeder.

Rep. David Olsen (R-Downers Grove) will be the sponsor of the bill in the state House of Representatives. He said the bill would improve animal care standards, encourage more pet adoptions and responsible breeding practices and protect consumers.

ELMHURST

Concept of American freedom is explored in new exhibit

The struggle for freedom in America has shaped every aspect of our country since its inception, and continues today in many ways unforeseen by our nation’s founders. The evolving concept of freedom and its pursuit is explored in a touring exhibition from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, which opens Jan. 11, at the Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park Ave.,
Elmhurst.

Titled “Freedom: A History of US,” and running through March 12, the exhibit illuminates critical figures and events from the country’s birth until 1968. Highlights include reproductions of a rare 1776 printing of the Declaration of Independence, a secretly printed draft and official copy of the U.S. Constitution, Lincoln’s handwritten speech notes, and letters by Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, and Martin Luther King Jr. The exhibit will be supplemented with materials related to Elmhurst including a 1924 KKK rally flyer on loan from the National Park Service, manuscripts related to the Elmhurst Fair Housing Ordinance, and correspondence from veterans from the Civil War and WWI eras.

The museum is open 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. It is closed on Monday. Admission is free. For more information, call (630) 833-1457. 

GLEN ELLYN

COD new student orientation set for Jan. 17

College of DuPage will welcome new students to spring term during two orientation sessions to be held Jan. 17, in the Health and Science Center, Room 1234, on the college’s main campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

The first session is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and the second is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Each session will begin with check-in, refreshments and information tables. 

The orientation sessions will give students and parents an opportunity to learn about college life; meet with faculty, staff and current students; tour the campus; and receive input on making the most of their educational experience at College of DuPage. Attendees also receive information about financial aid, student life and student services, as well as valuable information on where to find assistance, how to use technology such as Blackboard, and information on other resources available to students.

Registration is required. Go to cod.edu or call (630) 942-2800.

–DuPage County News Briefs–