SPRINGFIELD, IL - Illinois Governor Pat Quinn on Tuesday signed two new laws that will help law enforcement crack down on drug crime and protect members of the justice system.

House Bill 4081 creates an exemption in Illinois' eavesdropping statute which allows State's Attorneys to give prior approval for the recording of individuals whom law enforcement suspects will commit a drug crime. The evidence obtained in these recordings may be used only in the prosecution of drug crimes or forcible felonies committed during the investigation of a drug crime.

Current law allows law enforcement to obtain a court order to record a drug crime, but delays in that process in the past have resulted in missed crimes.

The law should also serve as a safeguard for undrcover officers who may require immediate assistance when their lives are in danger.

Meanwhile, House Bill 5877 creates the Illinois Judicial Privacy Act, which progibits individuals, businesses, associations, or government agencies from posting a judicial officer's personal information if that officer has requested in writing that it be removed.

Sections of the law concerning the posting of information are effective within 60 days, while provisions affecting information used by the Secretary of State for identification cards, vehicle registrations, and driver's licenses are effective January 1, 2013.