- Illinois residents will navigate 320 new state laws in 2024.
- The ban on semi-automatic firearms includes certain restrictions on brand and type, ammunition limits, and requires registration of previously purchased guns with the Illinois State Police.
- E-cigarettes are also prohibited indoors, and the ban under the Illinois Smoking-Free Law extends to electronic smoking devices.
When the calendar page turns to 2024 on Monday, Illinois residents will have to comply with 320 new state laws.
Some have far-reaching implications, such as laws banning semi-automatic weapons and requiring paid leave. However, those that do not have an immediate or significant impact, such as legislation that allows county governments to consider potential contractors' participation in approved apprenticeship programs when determining minimum bids for projects. There is also.
One law that went into effect in 2019 but still affects tens of thousands of workers is the increase in the minimum wage.
One year later, local sheriff says 'America's most dangerous law' is hurting Illinois' police profession
For non-tipped workers, wages will increase to $14 an hour starting Jan. 1 and reach $15 an hour a year later.
Assault-style weapons are displayed for sale at the Capitol City Ordnance Supply in Springfield, Illinois, on January 16, 2013. On New Year's Day, January 1, 2024, Illinois went from prohibition to enacting 320 new laws. We sell semi-automatic weapons at low prices for people who don't have a fishing license these days. (AP Photo/Seth Pearlman, File)
Other major changes to Illinois law as of New Year's Day include:
Ban on semi-automatic rifles
The U.S. Supreme Court has banned the sale, possession and manufacture of automatic weapons, such as the type used in the July 2023 Fourth Parade mass shooting in Chicago's Highland Park suburb. did not take up the case.
The law bans dozens of specific brands and types of rifles and handguns, including .50-caliber guns, attachments, and repeating devices. With a rifle he cannot hold more than 10 rounds, but with a handgun he has a limit of 15 rounds.
Anyone who previously purchased such a gun must register it with the Illinois State Police by January 1st.
book ban ban
Libraries that ban books indiscriminately will no longer receive state funding. Libraries must adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, which states that “materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those who contributed to their creation.”
The Library Association reported that attempts to censor books in 2022, particularly those with LGBTQ+ themes and books written by people of color, reached a 20-year high.
paid holiday
Employers must provide paid leave for any reason. A worker gets one hour of paid vacation for every 40 hours she works, up to a total of 40 hours. The employer can provide her with more than 40 hours of work, and the employee can take vacation after she has worked for 90 days.
Use of air fresheners is permitted
Police will no longer be able to stop a motorist just because there is something hanging in the rearview mirror. The law was approved after Dante Wright was arrested in Minnesota in 2021 for having air fresheners hanging on his car. He was shot when the officer reached for her stun gun and grabbed her handgun instead.
No video conferencing outside the home
Video conferencing, streaming, and accessing social media websites while driving are prohibited. There are exceptions for videos on hands-free or voice-activated devices, or applications that require only one button press to start or end.
Prohibition of e-cigarettes indoors
Smoking or smoking e-cigarettes or cigars in indoor public spaces is prohibited. The law adds electronic smoking devices to the list of items prohibited in indoor public places, building on the 2008 Illinois Tobacco Smoking Act, which prohibited the indoor use of regular tobacco products.
License plate reader limitations
Interstate agreements between law enforcement agencies must specify that license plate reading technology not be used on vehicles driven by women coming to Illinois for abortions.
surveillance drone
In the wake of the Highland Park parade shooting, lawmakers authorized law enforcement to use drones to monitor “patrolized” and “special events.” Drones may not have weapons or facial recognition technology.
Supreme Court allows Illinois' semi-automatic rifle ban to stay in place
deepfake porn
Victims of digital forgery, known as deepfake pornography, include those who share or threaten to share images that falsely depict people exposing their genitals or other private parts or engaging in sexual activity. may file a civil lawsuit against you. Identifying that an image has been materially altered does not provide a defense to liability.
Toilets may be shared by men and women
Businesses have the option of installing toilets that can be used by both genders at the same time. Current restrooms could be renovated to accommodate all genders. Urinals cannot be included, and the cubicle must have a floor-to-ceiling locking partition.
Voter registration for teens
Teens can pre-register to vote at age 16 or 17 when they obtain a driver's license or state identification card administered by the Secretary of State. Once she turns 18, which is the legal voting age, she is already registered to vote.
