SPRINGFIELD, Illinois — With the calendar page turning to 2024 on Monday, there are 320 new state laws that Illinois residents will have to navigate.
Some would have far-reaching effects, including legislation banning semi-automatic rifles and another requiring paid leave.
But others won’t have an immediate or significant impact, including legislation that allows county governments to 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 still affects tens of thousands of workers is the increase in the minimum wage.
It increases to $14 an hour on January 1 for non-tipped workers and will reach $15 in a year.
Here are some other big changes to Illinois state law on New Year’s Day:
BAN SEMI-AUTOMATIC WEAPONS
The Supreme Court has failed to take up a case over Illinois’ ban on the sale, possession or manufacture of automatic weapons of the type used in the mass shooting at the 2023 Fourth of July parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park.
An Illinois law banning the sale, possession and manufacture of certain semiautomatic weapons will take effect in 2024. AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File
The law bans dozens of specific brands or types of rifles and handguns, including .50-caliber rifles, accessories and rapid-fire devices. No rifle is allowed to load more than 10 rounds, with a limit of 15 rounds for pistols.
Those who previously purchased such weapons must register them with the Illinois State Police by January 1.
PROHIBITION OF BOOKS
Libraries that ban books indiscriminately will not be eligible for state funding. They must adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill which states “materials shall not be excluded because of the origin, background or views of those who contributed to their creation.”
Illinois libraries that ban books will not be eligible for state funds, according to the new law. AP Photo/Claire Savage, File
The library association reported that attempts to censor books reached a 20-year high in 2022, especially those with LGBTQ+ themes and those written by people of color.
PAID HOLIDAYS
Employers will be required to offer paid vacation for any reason.
Employees will accrue one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours total.
Employers can offer more than 40 hours and employees can take leave after working for 90 days.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker at an event before signing the Paid Leave For All Workers Act into law on March 13, 2023 in Chicago. AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File
AIR FRESHENER ALLOWED
Police can no longer pull over a driver simply because there is an object hanging from their rear view mirror.
The law was passed after Daunte Wright was pulled over in Minnesota in 2021 for having a dangling air freshener.
He was shot when the officer, reaching for his stun gun, grabbed his arm instead.
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NO VIDEO CONFERENCE ON THE ROAD
Video conferencing, streaming or accessing social media websites while driving will be prohibited.
There will be exceptions for videos on hands-free or voice-activated devices or applications that require the press of no more than one button to activate or terminate.
NO INDOOR VAPING
Vape or smoke electronic cigarettes or cigars in public enclosed spaces will be prohibited. The law adds electronic smoking devices to the list of items prohibited in indoor public places under the Smoke-Free Illinois Act of 2008, which prohibits the indoor use of regular tobacco products.
LICENSE PLATE READER RESTRICTIONS
An interstate agreement between law enforcement agencies must state that license plate reader technology is not used on cars driven by women who come to Illinois to have an abortion.
SURVEILLANCE DRONES
Following the Highland Park parade shooting, lawmakers approved the use of drones by law enforcement to monitor “targeted” or “special events.”
Drones may not be equipped with weapons or facial recognition technology.
Pritzker signed a bill prohibiting libraries from banning books on June 12, 2023 in Chicago. State of Illinois via AP, File
DEEPFAKE PORN
Victims of digital forgery known as fake pornography can file civil suits against anyone who shares or threatens to share images that falsely depict someone exposing genitalia or other private parts or performing sexual acts.
Identifying an image as materially altered is not a defense to liability.
TOILETS MAY BE MULTI-GENDER USED
Businesses have the option to install toilets that can be used by either gender simultaneously. Current toilets can be modified to accommodate all genders.
Urinals may not be included and stalls must have floor-to-ceiling lockable dividers.
REGISTRATION OF YOUNG VOTERS
Teens can pre-register to vote at age 16 or 17 while obtaining a driver’s license or state identification card at a driver services office run by the secretary of state.
Upon reaching the age of 18, the legal voting age, they are already registered to vote.
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