The taxpayer-funded legal drama created by the prosecution of McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi is behind a new law to prevent it from happening elsewhere in Illinois.

Gov. Pat Quinn has signed House Bill 4749, which significantly curtails a judge’s ability to appoint special prosecutors to investigate alleged crimes when the state’s attorney is unwilling or unable to do so.

The bill was inspired by the cost of the special prosecution of Bianchi and three of his staff, which resulted in their acquittal on all charges. McHenry County’s state legislators carried the bill, which passed the General Assembly without a single dissenting vote.