North Cook News

Nearly 300 new laws, ranging from raising the minimum wage to allowing for students to take “mental health” days off of school, will take effect Jan. 1 in Illinois.

The minimum wage in Illinois will be raised by $1 at the start of the new year, to $12 per hour, according to ABC7. The amount will increase by one dollar on the first day of each subsequent year until 2025, when it will reach $15 per hour. 

As for the mental health days, this comes in response to students living through two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has tested the mental limits of many students. This, along with the stress from tests and homework, has created difficult times for some students and the new law allows for students to take days off for mental health and not just a physical illness.

“When the new year arrives on January 1, it will bring with it nearly 300 new laws in Illinois – everything from addressing confidentiality for victims of human trafficking to lowering fees for trailer license plates,” Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Westmont) said on Facebook.

Mazzochi highlighted some of the new laws on her website, noting that there is a wide range of laws including addressing confidentiality for human trafficking victims, lowering fees for trailer license plates and even legalizing children’s lemonade stands. 

The human trafficking law was co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Bos and protects victims through the Address Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault or Stalking Act.

One of the new laws taking effect in Illinois will expand insurance coverage for cancer screenings and other testing.  Another new law will allow pregnant women in their third trimesters to park in handicap parking spaces. 

Several laws are aimed at service members, veterans and their families. One is Senate Bill 505, which allows a state flag to be presented to the next of kin of a deceased Illinois National Guard member.

ABC7 reported that other laws include prohibiting discrimination against ethnic hairstyles, and requiring public universities to make ACT and SAT scores optional for admissions decisions.