SPRINGFIELD – As Illinoisans prepare to ring in the New Year, 293 new laws are set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
The first part of this series highlighted laws that include changes to workplace protections, insurance protection expansions, public safety measures, environmental initiatives, and issues impacting schools and students. Additionally, the final phase of Illinois’ minimum wage increase will bring wages up to $15 per hour for workers aged 18 and older.
The second part of this series highlights new laws that focus on supporting veterans, environmental changes, and updated workplace requirements across Illinois.
Support for Veterans and Military Families
A number of measures impacting veterans, and their families are taking effect come January 1.
Under House Bill 2856 (P.A. 103-0406), death certificates can now include details about a deceased individual’s military service, helping families access survivor benefits.
Senate Bill 2751 (P.A. 103-0621) waives building permit fees for home modifications needed to accommodate disabled veterans.
Senate Bill 2959 (P.A. 103-0933) provides Gold Star Family designations on state IDs and free admission to state museums like the Shedd Aquarium and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.
House Bill 4757 (P.A. 103-0828) requires the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and the Illinois Department of Labor to create and make available, at no cost, a poster highlighting free veterans’ benefits and services.
Senate Bill 3479 (P.A. 103-0783) makes it an unlawful practice for any person providing veteran or military benefits services to fail to clearly provide, both orally and in writing, veterans services disclosures when veteran or military benefits services are provided in exchange for any financial compensation, benefit, or thing of value.
Workplace Changes
House Bill 3129 (P.A. 103-0539) requires employers with 15 or more employees to include pay ranges and benefits in job postings.
House Bill 5561 (P.A. 103-0867) strengthens protections for whistleblowers by introducing penalties for retaliation and empowers the Attorney General to intervene in civil cases. Creates a criminal penalty under the Act for businesses convicted of retaliation. Provides that damages under the Act may include permanent or preliminary injunctive relief, back pay, with interest of 9%, and liquidated damages up to $10,000.
Senate Bill 859 (P.A. 103-0889) establishes the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment within DCEO to support minority, women, veteran-owned, and disability-owned businesses through targeted outreach and resources.
Senate Bill 3207 (P.A. 103-0952) authorizes daycare centers to operate for 24 hours and provide care for children for up to 12 hours if the parent of the child is employed in a position that requires regularly scheduled shifts. A 10-hour period must elapse between daycare visits.
Additionally, House Bill 5546 (P.A. 103-0614) modernizes underground utility protections by requiring excavation notifications through JULIE, ensuring safe digging practices.
Environmental Issues
House Bill 2363 (P.A. 103-0799) bans the sale of specified mercury-containing fluorescent light bulbs beginning January 1, 2026, promoting the use of safer LED alternatives.
Senate Bill 2960 (P.A. 103-0934) restricts hotels from offering single-use plastic bottles for personal care products, with phased implementation beginning in mid-2025 for larger hotels.
Advancements in Public Safety
New laws aim to make Illinois communities safer. House Bill 5370 (P.A. 103-0711) strengthens Scott’s Law by increasing penalties for drivers who fail to move over for emergency or construction vehicles.
Senate Bill 2683 (P.A. 103-0760) expands stalking protections by prohibiting the use of electronic tracking systems without consent.
House Bill 4623 (PA 103-0825) clarifies that Illinois’ child pornography laws apply to images and videos created by artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
House Bill 5465 (PA 103-0717) creates an easier process for child victims of trafficking to have their juvenile records expunged or sealed as a result of any criminal acts they were forced to take part in while being abused.
Additional Health and Public Welfare Laws
Health care laws continue to expand protections for Illinois residents. House Bill 2443 (P.A. 103-0530) extends hearing aid coverage to all ages, while House Bill 3639 (P.A. 103-0454) caps the cost of epinephrine twin-packs at $60.
Senate Bill 2672 (P.A. 103-0758) ensures brand-name drug coverage when generic options are unavailable due to supply issues.
House Bill 5087 (P.A. 103-0849) expands access to physical therapy through telehealth, addressing care access issues statewide.
House Bill 4942 (P.A. 103-0842) makes various changes to coroner reporting when dealing with fentanyl-related deaths.
Click https://senatorjiltracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/New-Laws-Taking-Effect-January-1_2025-1.pdf for a full list of new laws taking effect January 1.