SB0326eng 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB0326 Engrossed LRB100 04921 RJF 14931 b

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Regulatory Sunset Act is amended by changing Section 4.32 as follows:

(5 ILCS 80/4.32)

Sec. 4.32. Acts repealed on January 1, 2022. The following Acts are repealed on January 1, 2022:

The Boxing and Full-contact Martial Arts Act.

The Collateral Recovery Act.

The Detection of Deception Examiners Act.

The Home Inspector License Act.

The Registered Interior Designers Design Title Act.

The Massage Licensing Act.

The Petroleum Equipment Contractors Licensing Act.

The Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Act of 2002.

The Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor's License Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-24, eff. 6-28-11; 97-119, eff. 7-14-11; 97-168, eff. 7-22-11; 97-226, eff. 7-28-11; 97-428, eff. 8-16-11; 97-514, eff. 8-23-11; 97-576, eff. 7-1-12; 97-598, eff. 8-26-11; 97-602, eff. 8-26-11; 97-813, eff. 7-13-12.)

Section 10. The Interior Design Title Act is amended by changing Sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 13 and by adding Sections 11.5 and 30.5 as follows:

(225 ILCS 310/1) (from Ch. 111, par. 8201)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)

Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Registered Interior Designers Design Title Act.

(Source: P.A. 92-104, eff. 7-20-01.)

(225 ILCS 310/2) (from Ch. 111, par. 8202)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)

Sec. 2. Public policy. Interior design in the State of Illinois is hereby declared to affect the public health, safety, and welfare and to be subject to regulation and control in the public interest. It is further declared to be a matter of public interest and concern that the interior design profession professions merit and receive the confidence of the public and that only qualified persons be permitted to use the title of registered interior designer in the State of Illinois. This Act shall be liberally construed to carry out these objectives and purposes.

(Source: P.A. 95-1023, eff. 6-1-09; 96-1334, eff. 7-27-10.)

(225 ILCS 310/3) (from Ch. 111, par. 8203)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)

Sec. 3. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Secretary" means the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Board" means the Board of Registered Interior Design Professionals established under Section 6 of this Act.

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"The profession of interior design", within the meaning and intent of this Act, refers to persons qualified by education, experience, and examination, who administer contracts for fabrication, procurement, or installation in the implementation of designs, drawings, and specifications for any interior design project and offer or furnish professional services, such as consultations, studies, drawings, and specifications in connection with the location of lighting fixtures, lamps and specifications of ceiling finishes as shown in reflected ceiling plans, space planning, furnishings, or the fabrication of non-loadbearing structural elements within and surrounding interior spaces of buildings but specifically excluding mechanical and electrical systems, except for specifications of fixtures and their location within interior spaces.

"Public member" means a person who is not an interior designer, educator in the field, architect, structural engineer, or professional engineer. For purposes of board membership, any person with a significant financial interest in the design or construction service or profession is not a public member.

"Registered interior designer" means a person who has received registration under Section 8 of this Act. A person represents himself or herself to be a "registered interior designer" within the meaning of this Act if he or she holds himself or herself out to the public by any title incorporating the words "registered interior designer" or any title that includes the words "registered interior design".

"Secretary" means the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"The profession of interior design", within the meaning and intent of this Act, refers to persons qualified by education, experience, and examination, who administer contracts for fabrication, procurement, or installation in the implementation of designs, drawings, and specifications for any interior design project and offer or furnish professional services, such as consultations, studies, drawings, and specifications in connection with the location of lighting fixtures, lamps and specifications of ceiling finishes as shown in reflected ceiling plans, space planning, furnishings, or the fabrication of non-loadbearing structural elements within and surrounding interior spaces of buildings but specifically excluding mechanical and electrical systems, except for specifications of fixtures and their location within interior spaces.

A person represents himself or herself to be a "registered interior designer" within the meaning of this Act if he or she holds himself or herself out to the public by any title incorporating the words "registered interior designer" or any title that includes the words "registered interior design".

(Source: P.A. 95-1023, eff. 6-1-09; 96-1334, eff. 7-27-10.)

(225 ILCS 310/5) (from Ch. 111, par. 8205)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)

Sec. 5. Powers and duties of the Department. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Department shall exercise the following functions, powers, and duties:

(a) To conduct or authorize examinations to ascertain the fitness and qualifications of applicants for registration and issue certificates of registration to those who are found to be fit and qualified.

(b) To prescribe rules and regulations for a method of examination of candidates. The Department shall designate as its examination for registered interior designers the National Council for Interior Design Qualification examination.

(c) To adopt as its own rules relating to education and experience requirements, those guidelines published from time to time by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation Foundation for Interior Design Education Research or its successor entity equivalent.

(d) To conduct hearings on proceedings to revoke, suspend, or refuse to issue certificates of registration.

(e) To promulgate rules and regulations required for the administration of this Act.

(f) The Department is encouraged to:

(1) maintain membership in the Council for Interior Design Qualification and participate in activities of the Council for Interior Design Qualification Council of Delegates; and

(2) designate at least one employee of the Department to attend national and regional meetings of the Council for Interior Design Qualification. All costs associated with Department membership and attendance of the delegate to any national or regional Council for Interior Design Qualification meetings may be funded from the General Professions Dedicated Fund.

(Source: P.A. 95-1023, eff. 6-1-09; 96-1334, eff. 7-27-10.)

(225 ILCS 310/8) (from Ch. 111, par. 8208)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)

Sec. 8. Requirements for registration.

(a) Each applicant for registration shall apply to the Department in writing on a form provided by the Department. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, each applicant shall take and pass the examination approved by the Department. Prior to registration, the applicant shall provide substantial evidence to the Board that the applicant: (1) is a graduate of a 5 year interior design program from an accredited institution and has completed at least 2 years of full time diversified interior design experience; (2) is a graduate of a 4 year interior design program from an accredited institution and has completed at least 2 years of full time diversified interior design experience; (3) has completed at least 3 years of interior design curriculum from an accredited institution and has completed 3 years of full time diversified interior design experience; (4) is a graduate of a 2 year interior design program from an accredited institution and has completed 4 years of full time diversified interior design experience; or (5) (blank). (b) In addition to providing evidence of meeting the requirements of subsection (a): (1) Each applicant for registration as a registered interior designer shall provide substantial evidence, including written documentation, to the Department that he or she has successfully passed completed the examination administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Qualifications. The evidence and documentation shall be placed on file at the Department and be available to the Board.

(2) (Blank).

Examinations for applicants under this Act may be held at the direction of the Department from time to time but not less than once each year. The scope and form of the examination shall conform to the National Council for Interior Design Qualification examination for interior designers.

(b) Each applicant for registration who possesses the necessary qualifications shall pay to the Department the required registration fee, which is not refundable, at the time of filing his or her application.

(c) An individual may apply applying for original registration prior to passing the National Council for Interior Design Qualification examination. He or she shall have 2 years after 3 years from the date of filing an application to pass the examination complete the application process. If evidence and documentation of passing the examination is received by the Department later than 2 years after the individual's filing the process has not been completed in 3 years, the application shall be denied and the fee forfeited. The applicant may reapply at any time , but shall meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.

(c) (Blank).

(c-5) (Blank).

(d) Upon payment of the required fee, which shall be determined by rule, an applicant who is an architect licensed under the laws of this State may, without passing the National Council for Interior Design Qualification examination, be granted registration as a registered interior designer by the Department provided the applicant submits proof of an active architectural license in Illinois.

(e) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 95-1023, eff. 6-1-09; 96-1334, eff. 7-27-10.)

(225 ILCS 310/9) (from Ch. 111, par. 8209)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)

Sec. 9. Expiration; renewal; restoration.

(a) The expiration date and renewal period for each certificate of registration issued under this Act shall be set by rule. A registrant may renew such registration during the month preceding its expiration date by paying the required renewal fee.

(b) Inactive status.

(1) Any registrant who notifies the Department in writing on forms prescribed by the Department may elect to place his or her certificate of registration on an inactive status and shall, subject to rules of the Department, be excused from payment of renewal fees until he or she notifies the Department in writing of his or her desire to resume active status.

(2) Any registrant requesting restoration from inactive status shall be required to pay the current renewal fee and shall be required to restore his or her registration.

(3) Any registrant whose registration is on inactive status shall not use the title "registered interior designer" in the State of Illinois.

(4) Any registrant who uses the title "registered interior designer" while his or her certificate of registration is lapsed or inactive shall be considered to be using the title without a registration which shall be grounds for discipline under Section 13 of this Act.

(c) Any registrant whose registration has expired may have his or her certificate of registration restored at any time within 5 years after its expiration, upon payment of the required fee.

(d) Any person whose registration has been expired for more than 5 years may have his or her registration restored by making application to the Department and filing proof acceptable to the Department of his or her fitness to have his or her registration restored, including sworn evidence certifying to active lawful practice in another jurisdiction, and by paying the required restoration fee. A person using the title "registered interior designer" on an expired registration is deemed to be in violation of this Act.

(e) If a person whose certificate of registration has expired has not maintained active status in another jurisdiction, the Department shall determine, by an evaluation process established by rule, his or her fitness to resume active status and may require the person to complete a period of evaluated practical experience, and may require successful completion of an examination.

(f) Any person whose certificate of registration has expired while he or she has been engaged (1) in federal or State service active duty, or (2) in training or education under the supervision of the United States preliminary to induction into the military service, may have his or her registration restored without paying any lapsed renewal or restoration fee if, within 2 years after termination of such service, training or education, he or she furnishes the Department with satisfactory proof that he or she has been so engaged and that his or her service, training, or education has been so terminated.

(g) An individual applying for restoration of a registration shall have 3 years from the date of application to complete the application process. If the process has not been completed in 3 years, the application shall be denied and the fee forfeited. The applicant may reapply at any time , but shall meet the requirement in effect at the time of reapplication.

(Source: P.A. 95-1023, eff. 6-1-09; 96-1334, eff. 7-27-10.)

(225 ILCS 310/10) (from Ch. 111, par. 8210)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)

Sec. 10. Foreign applicants. Upon payment of the required fee, an applicant who is an interior designer currently registered, certified, or licensed under the laws of another state or territory of the United States or a foreign country or province shall, without further examination, be granted registration as an interior designer, as the case may be, by the Department if, as determined by the Department, the applicant provides adequate documentation establishing:

(1) that the applicant has passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification examination; and

(2) the applicant's current licensure, certification, or registration with regard to the practice of interior design in one or more jurisdictions; (a) whenever the requirements of such state or territory of the United States or a foreign country or province were, at the date of registration, certification, or licensure, substantially equal to or greater than the requirements then in force in this State. ; or

(b) whenever such requirements of another state or territory of the United States or a foreign country or province together with educational and professional qualifications, as distinguished from practical experience, of the applicant since obtaining a license as an interior designer in such state or territory of the United States are substantially equal to the requirements in force in Illinois at the time of application for registration.

(Source: P.A. 96-1334, eff. 7-27-10.)

(225 ILCS 310/11.5 new)

Sec. 11.5. Continuing education.

(a) This Section applies to an individual applying for renewal or restoration of registration as a registered interior designer.

(b) An applicant for renewal of registration shall submit proof to the Department of having completed 24 continuing education units from one or more Department approved continuing education providers during the term of the registration.

An applicant shall prove completion of continuing education units by submitting with the registration renewal application the following information:

(1) Official documentation from a continuing education provider, including:

(A) the name and address of the continuing education provider;

(B) the dates on which the applicant attended the provider's continuing education course;

(C) the name of the continuing education course and a description of the subject matter covered; and

(D) the hours of credit earned by the applicant due to his or her successful completion of the continuing education course.

(2) Satisfactory documentation that a total of at least 12 continuing education units addresses one or more of the following subject matters:

(A) The health, wellness, or overall consumer protection of building occupants.

(B) Public safety, with an emphasis on the impact and application of the State, county, and local building codes, especially those pertaining to fire safety within interior spaces of a building or structure.

(C) Resiliency.

(D) Sustainability.

(E) The impact and application of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and State, county, or local accessibility standards or laws, such as the Environmental Barriers Act and the Illinois Accessibility Code.

(c) An individual with an expired registration of more than one year seeking to restore the registration is required to meet the same continuing education requirements as an individual applying for renewal.

(d) The Department shall only approve continuing education providers that have an established track record of annual course offerings that contribute to individuals' growth of professional competence in the practice of interior design.

(e) The Department may, in its discretion, grant extensions of no more than one year for renewal after expiration if the individual applicant's failure to submit proof of completion of required continuing education units was due to emergency or hardship, including:

(1) serious and protracted illness of the applicant;

(2) the death or serious and protracted illness of a member of the applicant's immediate family; or

(3) the applicant or the applicant's spouse being on extended active military duty.

An extension granted under this Section does not relieve a registered interior designer from complying with the continuing education requirement.

(225 ILCS 310/13) (from Ch. 111, par. 8213)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)

Sec. 13. Refusal, revocation or suspension of registration. The Department may refuse to issue, renew, or restore or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand or take other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, including fines not to exceed $5,000 for each violation, with regard to any registration for any one or combination of the following causes:

(a) Fraud in procuring the certificate of registration.

(b) Habitual intoxication or addiction to the use of drugs.

(c) Making any misrepresentations or false promises, directly or indirectly, to influence, persuade, or induce patronage.

(d) Professional connection or association with, or lending his or her name, to another for illegal use of the title "registered interior designer", or professional connection or association with any person, firm, or corporation holding itself out in any manner contrary to this Act.

(e) Obtaining or seeking to obtain checks, money, or any other items of value by false or fraudulent representations.

(f) Use of the title under a name other than his or her own.

(g) Improper, unprofessional, or dishonorable conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(h) Conviction in this or another state, or federal court, of any crime which is a felony, if the Department determines, after investigation, that such person has not been sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust.

(i) A violation of any provision of this Act or its rules.

(j) Revocation by another state, the District of Columbia, territory, or foreign nation of an interior design or residential interior design license, certification, or registration if at least one of the grounds for that revocation is the same as or the equivalent of one of the grounds for revocation set forth in this Act.

(k) Mental incompetence as declared by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(l) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the registrant has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(m) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(n) Failure to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department within 30 days after receipt of the written request.

(o) Physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill that results in the inability to practice interior design with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

The Department shall deny a registration or renewal authorized by this Act to any person who has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission; however, the Department may issue a certificate of registration or renewal if such person has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend the registration of any person who fails to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty, or interest showing in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied.

The entry of a decree by any circuit court establishing that any person holding a certificate of registration under this Act is a person subject to involuntary admission under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code shall operate as a suspension of that registration. That person may resume using the title "registered interior designer" only upon a finding by the Board that he or she has been determined to be no longer subject to involuntary admission by the court and upon the Board's recommendation to the Director that he or she be permitted to resume using the title "registered interior designer".

(Source: P.A. 95-1023, eff. 6-1-09; 96-1334, eff. 7-27-10.)

(225 ILCS 310/30.5 new)

Sec. 30.5. Roster. The Department shall annually prepare a roster showing the names and addresses of all registered interior designers. This roster shall be available online and electronically upon written request and payment of a required fee as determined by the Department.

Section 15. The Unified Code of Corrections is amended by changing Section 5-5-5 as follows:

(730 ILCS 5/5-5-5) (from Ch. 38, par. 1005-5-5)

Sec. 5-5-5. Loss and Restoration of Rights.

(a) Conviction and disposition shall not entail the loss by the defendant of any civil rights, except under this Section and Sections 29-6 and 29-10 of The Election Code, as now or hereafter amended.

(b) A person convicted of a felony shall be ineligible to hold an office created by the Constitution of this State until the completion of his sentence.

(c) A person sentenced to imprisonment shall lose his right to vote until released from imprisonment.

(d) On completion of sentence of imprisonment or upon discharge from probation, conditional discharge or periodic imprisonment, or at any time thereafter, all license rights and privileges granted under the authority of this State which have been revoked or suspended because of conviction of an offense shall be restored unless the authority having jurisdiction of such license rights finds after investigation and hearing that restoration is not in the public interest. This paragraph (d) shall not apply to the suspension or revocation of a license to operate a motor vehicle under the Illinois Vehicle Code.

(e) Upon a person's discharge from incarceration or parole, or upon a person's discharge from probation or at any time thereafter, the committing court may enter an order certifying that the sentence has been satisfactorily completed when the court believes it would assist in the rehabilitation of the person and be consistent with the public welfare. Such order may be entered upon the motion of the defendant or the State or upon the court's own motion.

(f) Upon entry of the order, the court shall issue to the person in whose favor the order has been entered a certificate stating that his behavior after conviction has warranted the issuance of the order.

(g) This Section shall not affect the right of a defendant to collaterally attack his conviction or to rely on it in bar of subsequent proceedings for the same offense.

(h) No application for any license specified in subsection (i) of this Section granted under the authority of this State shall be denied by reason of an eligible offender who has obtained a certificate of relief from disabilities, as defined in Article 5.5 of this Chapter, having been previously convicted of one or more criminal offenses, or by reason of a finding of lack of "good moral character" when the finding is based upon the fact that the applicant has previously been convicted of one or more criminal offenses, unless:

(1) there is a direct relationship between one or more of the previous criminal offenses and the specific license sought; or

(2) the issuance of the license would involve an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public.

In making such a determination, the licensing agency shall consider the following factors:

(1) the public policy of this State, as expressed in Article 5.5 of this Chapter, to encourage the licensure and employment of persons previously convicted of one or more criminal offenses;

(2) the specific duties and responsibilities necessarily related to the license being sought;

(3) the bearing, if any, the criminal offenses or offenses for which the person was previously convicted will have on his or her fitness or ability to perform one or more such duties and responsibilities;

(4) the time which has elapsed since the occurrence of the criminal offense or offenses;

(5) the age of the person at the time of occurrence of the criminal offense or offenses;

(6) the seriousness of the offense or offenses;

(7) any information produced by the person or produced on his or her behalf in regard to his or her rehabilitation and good conduct, including a certificate of relief from disabilities issued to the applicant, which certificate shall create a presumption of rehabilitation in regard to the offense or offenses specified in the certificate; and

(8) the legitimate interest of the licensing agency in protecting property, and the safety and welfare of specific individuals or the general public.

(i) A certificate of relief from disabilities shall be issued only for a license or certification issued under the following Acts:

(1) the Animal Welfare Act; except that a certificate of relief from disabilities may not be granted to provide for the issuance or restoration of a license under the Animal Welfare Act for any person convicted of violating Section 3, 3.01, 3.02, 3.03, 3.03-1, or 4.01 of the Humane Care for Animals Act or Section 26-5 or 48-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012;

(2) the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act;

(3) the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985;

(4) the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Repairer Regulation Act;

(5) the Boxing and Full-contact Martial Arts Act;

(6) the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984;

(7) the Illinois Farm Labor Contractor Certification Act;

(8) the Registered Interior Designers Design Title Act;

(9) the Illinois Professional Land Surveyor Act of 1989;

(10) the Illinois Landscape Architecture Act of 1989;

(11) the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act;

(12) the Private Employment Agency Act;

(13) the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act;

(14) the Real Estate License Act of 2000;

(15) the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act;

(16) the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989;

(17) the Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor's License Act;

(18) the Electrologist Licensing Act;

(19) the Auction License Act;

(20) the Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989;

(21) the Dietitian Nutritionist Practice Act;

(22) the Environmental Health Practitioner Licensing Act;

(23) the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code;

(24) the Land Sales Registration Act of 1999;

(25) the Professional Geologist Licensing Act;

(26) the Illinois Public Accounting Act; and

(27) the Structural Engineering Practice Act of 1989.

(Source: P.A. 97-119, eff. 7-14-11; 97-706, eff. 6-25-12; 97-1108, eff. 1-1-13; 97-1141, eff. 12-28-12; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 20. The Mechanics Lien Act is amended by changing Section 1 as follows:

(770 ILCS 60/1) (from Ch. 82, par. 1)

Sec. 1. Contractor defined; amount of lien; waiver of lien; attachment of lien; agreement to waive; when not enforceable.

(a) Any person who shall by any contract or contracts, express or implied, or partly expressed or implied, with the owner of a lot or tract of land, or with one whom the owner has authorized or knowingly permitted to contract, to improve the lot or tract of land or for the purpose of improving the tract of land, or to manage a structure under construction thereon, is known under this Act as a contractor and has a lien upon the whole of such lot or tract of land and upon adjoining or adjacent lots or tracts of land of such owner constituting the same premises and occupied or used in connection with such lot or tract of land as a place of residence or business; and in case the contract relates to 2 or more buildings, on 2 or more lots or tracts of land, upon all such lots and tracts of land and improvements thereon for the amount due to him or her for the material, fixtures, apparatus, machinery, services or labor, and interest at the rate of 10% per annum from the date the same is due. This lien extends to an estate in fee, for life, for years, or any other estate or any right of redemption or other interest that the owner may have in the lot or tract of land at the time of making such contract or may subsequently acquire and this lien attaches as of the date of the contract.

(b) As used in subsection (a) of this Section, "improve" means to furnish labor, services, material, fixtures, apparatus or machinery, forms or form work in the process of construction where cement, concrete or like material is used for the purpose of or in the building, altering, repairing or ornamenting any house or other building, walk or sidewalk, whether the walk or sidewalk is on the land or bordering thereon, driveway, fence or improvement or appurtenances to the lot or tract of land or connected therewith, and upon, over or under a sidewalk, street or alley adjoining; or fill, sod or excavate such lot or tract of land, or do landscape work thereon or therefor; or raise or lower any house thereon or remove any house thereto, or remove any house or other structure therefrom, or perform any services or incur any expense as an architect, structural engineer, professional engineer, land surveyor, registered interior designer, or property manager in, for, or on a lot or tract of land for any such purpose; or drill any water well thereon; or furnish or perform labor or services as superintendent, time keeper, mechanic, laborer or otherwise, in the building, altering, repairing or ornamenting of the same; or furnish material, fixtures, apparatus, machinery, labor or services, forms or form work used in the process of construction where concrete, cement or like material is used, or drill any water well on the order of his agent, architect, structural engineer, registered interior designer, or superintendent having charge of the improvements, building, altering, repairing, or ornamenting the same.

(c) The taking of additional security by the contractor or sub-contractor is not a waiver of any right of lien which he may have by virtue of this Act, unless made a waiver by express agreement of the parties and the waiver is not prohibited by this Act.

(d) An agreement to waive any right to enforce or claim any lien under this Act, or an agreement to subordinate the lien, where the agreement is in anticipation of and in consideration for the awarding of a contract or subcontract, either express or implied, to perform work or supply materials for an improvement upon real property is against public policy and unenforceable. This Section does not prohibit release of lien under subsection (b) of Section 35 of this Act, nor does it prohibit an agreement to subordinate a mechanics lien to a mortgage lien that secures a construction loan if that agreement is made after more than 50% of the loan has been disbursed to fund improvements to the property.

(Source: P.A. 98-764, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2018.