In Re Patterson

OPINION

LARRY L. LESSEN, Bankruptcy Judge.

The issue before the Court is whether a recent amendment to the last sentence of the Illinois personal property exemption, 735 ILCS 5/12-1001, violates the supremacy clause of the United States Constitution or the special legislation clause of the Illinois Constitution.

The Debtor, Stanley Patterson, filed a petition pursuant to Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code on June 11, 1997. In his schedule of exempt property, the Debtor claimed a personal property exemption of $2000 pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/12-1001, but he only scheduled property with a net value of…