As Illinois kicks off 2024, there are over 300 new laws that will take effect on January 1, 2024, that residents should be aware of. These new laws will greatly impact residents of Joliet and Will County.
“Many of the new laws will impact the day-to-day lives including some that are truly lifesaving in scope. The new laws cover a wide range of issues, such as employment, child protection, mental health support, law enforcement and living wages,” says Teri Ross, Esq., Executive Director of Illinois Legal Aid Online.
Here are some of the more interesting new laws of note:
Paid leave for all workers act
IL SB 0208 created the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. The law requires most Illinois employers to provide employees with a minimum of 40 hours of paid leave a year. This law will take effect January 1, 2024. Learn more about paid leave for all workers.
Protection for children social media influencers
IL SB 1782 establishes protections and a private right of action for child influencers. The law requires video creators, such as parents, to set aside part of the money made from the videos for the child. Illinois is the first state to pass such a law. This law goes into effect July 1, 2024. Learn more about protections for child influencers.
Minimum wage law
820 ILCS 105-Starting Jan. 1, 2024, Illinois’ minimum wage increases from $13 to $14 an hour. For tipped workers the hourly minimum wage will go up from $7.80 to $8.40.
Guaranteeing telehealth appointments for mental health treatment will be covered under Medicaid
IL SB 1913 ensures telehealth coverage for mental health and substance use services continues. Telehealth coverage rules apply to both Medicaid fee-for-service and managed care plans. This law goes into effect January 1, 2024. Learn more about services that are covered by Medicaid.
Preventing utility providers from terminating service for nonpayment of bills
HB1541 – This won’t impact you until it gets hot this summer, but this law prevents utility providers from terminating service for nonpayment if there is an excessive heat warning. It also lowers the temperature threshold that shut offs are prohibited from 95 to 90 degrees. Learn other reasons a utility provider might shut off your service.
Decriminalizing rearview mirror air fresheners
HB2389: Illinois is one of a handful of states in which hanging items like air fresheners from rearview mirrors is illegal. Effective January 1, 2024 law enforcement can no longer stop or search you, your car, or a passenger solely based on having an object hanging from your rearview mirror.
Don’t Zoom and drive
HB2431: Effective January 1, 2024, it is illegal to drive while participating in any video-conferencing application such as Zoom, Microsoft Team, or Webex. You also cannot access any social media sites such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, or Twitter. See Using cell phones while driving
Non-U.S. citizens can become police officers.
HB 3751: Non-citizens who are legally allowed to work in the U.S. are now eligible to become city or county law enforcement officers.
Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) is the state’s largest non-profit online legal aid resource. Our mission is to increase access to legal support for underserved and vulnerable Illinois residents through the innovative use of technology.
