ILLINOIS, USA — With the calendar page turned to 2024 on Monday comes 320 new state laws that Illinois residents will need to navigate.
Some will have a widespread effect, including a law banning semi-automatic rifles and another requiring paid time off. But others won't have an immediate or noticeable impact, including a law that lets county governments consider a potential contractor's participation in an approved apprenticeship program in determining the winning low bid for a project.
One law that took effect in 2019 but is still impacting tens of thousands of workers is an increase in the minimum wage. It increases to $14 an hour on Jan. 1 for non-tipped workers and will reach $15 in a year.
Here are some of the other major changes to Illinois state law as of New Year's Day:
Banning some semi-automatic weapons
In January 2023, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an assault weapons ban into law. The bill went into effect immediately but was quickly challenged in court. It has withstood the legal challenges, and one deadline arrives on Jan. 1.
"Persons who possess a regulated firearm or firearm attachment are required to complete an endorsement affidavit by January 1, 2024," the Illinois State Police website says.
Minimum wage increase
The minimum wage in Illinois will increase to $14 an hour as part of a bill signed into law in 2019. The minimum wage will increase again on Jan. 1, 2025, to $15.
Mandatory paid leave
SB 0208: Illinois employers must offer workers paid time off based on hours worked, with no need to explain the reason for their absence as long as they provide notice by reasonable employer standards.
Illinois employees will accrue one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked up to 40 hours total, although the employer may offer more. Employees can start using the time once they have worked for 90 days. Seasonal workers will be exempt, as will federal employees or college students who work non-full-time, temporary jobs for their university.
E-cigarettes banned in indoor public places
HB:1540: This bill bands the use of e-cigarettes in indoor public spaces. The bill adds electronic smoking devices to the list of items banned for public indoor use under the Smoke Free Illinois Act, which was enacted in 2008. Under the law, electronic smoking devices can't be used in indoor public spaces or within 15 feet of a public entrance.
Automatic renewal protections
SB 0328: Any automatic renewal product or service must mark the agreement as such. Additionally, the person or business selling the product or service may not charge credit or debit cards or other payment forms without obtaining the customer's consent for renewal.
IDOT mobile app
SB 1526: Requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to develop a mobile app that shows updated traffic conditions. The bill estimates it will cost $2,515,000 to develop the app and will require $775,000 more maintenance.
Deep fake protections
HB 2123: Creates the Digital Forgeries Act, which allows individuals depicted in a digital forgery — commonly known as "deep fakes" — to take legal action against any person who creates, solicits the creation of, or distributes a deep fake of them without their consent.
No Zooming and driving
HB 2431: Bans the use of electronic communications devices while driving, specifically for videoconferencing and using social media.
Pet adoption fees waived for veterans
HB 2500: Amends the Animal Welfare Act to ban animal control facilities from charging adoption fees for dogs or cats if the person presents a valid veteran ID or Illinois Person with a Disability card.
Banning book banning
HB 2789: Public libraries in the state must create a written policy prohibiting the practice of banning books in order to be eligible for state grants. If libraries do not want to develop their own written policy, they can adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights.
Punishments for doxing
HB 2954: Creates the "Civil Liability for Doxing Act." Under the act, an individual who engages in “doxing” can be punished criminally as well as in civil court. Doxing is the publishing of someone's personal information with the intent to harm or harass another person.
Banning solitary confinement of juveniles
HB 3140: The “End Youth Solitary Confinement Act” bans confinement rooms for children under the age of 18 at juvenile or corrections facilities for any purpose other than as a temporary response for behavior that poses a serious and immediate risk of physical harm to themselves or others.
Increased access to fentanyl test strips
HB 3203: Allows pharmacists to sell fentanyl test strips over the and allows county health departments to distribute test strips for free. The strips test for fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue or other drug adulterant in a controlled substance.
Allowing non-citizens to become a police officer
HB 3751: Allows non-citizens who are legally allowed to work in the United States to become police officers. They would be subject to federal approval to obtain and carry a firearm.
Fentanyl education requirements
HB 3924: Amends the Courses of Study article of the state's school code to require instruction on the dangers of fentanyl to students in grades 9-12.
Air fresheners allowed
Police will no longer be able to pull over a motorist solely because there is an object hanging from their rearview mirror. The law was approved after Daunte Wright was pulled over in Minnesota in 2021 for having a dangling air freshener. He was shot when the officer, reaching for her stun gun, instead grabbed her sidearm.
Restrooms may be all-gender multioccupancy
Businesses have the option of installing restrooms that may be used by any gender simultaneously. Current restrooms may be renovated to accommodate all genders. Urinals may not be included and stalls must have floor-to-ceiling, locking dividers.
Voter registration for teens
Teenagers may pre-register to vote at age 16 or 17 while obtaining a driver's license or state identification card at a drivers' services office run by the secretary of state. When turning 18, the legal voting age, they will already be registered to vote.
Surveillance Drones
Following the Highland Park parade shooting, lawmakers approved the use of drones by law enforcement to surveil “routed” or “special events.” The drones may not be equipped with weapons or facial recognition technology.
License-plate reader restrictions
Interstate agreements between law enforcement agencies must specify that license-plate reader technology not be used on cars driven by women coming into Illinois to have abortions.
Are there any new laws across the river in Iowa?
SF 496: The most notable law going into effect in Iowa on Jan. 1 is the enforcement of penalties for schools and their staff members who don't abide by the state's new education law. Starting on Jan. 1, penalties will begin for schools and staff who don't remove certain library books that depict sex acts. Under the law, discussion of gender identity in elementary schools is also banned.
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