Time to study up, Illinois. When the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Eve, 293 new state laws will take effect.
Digital driver’s licenses
The secretary of state can begin creating a process to issue digital driver’s licenses and state IDs beginning in the new year after Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4592. Residents still will be required to receive a physical ID and agencies or private entities will not be required to accept digital IDs in place of physical IDs. Providing a phone to police to show a digital ID also doesn’t give police consent to search a person’s cell phone.
Salary transparency
Employers with 15 or more employees must include information about benefits and the salary range on job postings, according to House Bill 3129. The law will also apply to businesses hiring for remote work positions in Illinois.
‘Junk’ health insurance
Short-term, limited duration health insurance plans will be illegal in Illinois beginning Jan. 1. The plans, often called “junk insurance” by critics, do not meet the minimum standards of the federal Affordable Care Act.
Caregiver discrimination
House Bill 2161 adds family responsibilities to the list of categories protected from discrimination and retaliation in the workplace. The new law prevents employers from taking adverse action against employees because of their responsibilities as a caregiver for a family member, which could cause them to miss work.
AI regulations
New laws governing artificial intelligence take effect Jan. 1. It will be illegal to generate child pornography using AI, according to House Bill 4623. Supporters of the bill, including the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, said it is becoming more difficult to distinguish between law enforcement and prosecute child pornography cases.
Politics and religion at work
Employees can’t be required to sit through work meetings discussing religion or politics starting Jan. 1. Senate Bill 3649, an initiative of the Illinois AFL-CIO, creates new protections for employees who skip out on such meetings and prevents employers from retaliating against them.
Coming later in 2025
Pritzker’s signature health reform package goes into effect on Jan. 1, but most provisions don’t have to be implemented until the beginning of 2026. House Bill 5395 bans “step therapy,” which requires patients to first follow the course of treatments preferred by insurance companies; when those fail, they then can receive the treatment recommended by their doctor.
Other new laws
• NIL money: Student athletes at NCAA universities can earn name, image and likeness money directly from their universities.
• Hearing aids: Insurance providers must cover medically prescribed hearing aids for all people under House Bill 2443. Coverage was previously required only for those under 18.
• Gym memberships: House Bill 4911 requires gyms and fitness centers to accept multiple ways for people to cancel their membership. Physical fitness locations also must now allow customers to cancel their membership by email or online. Customers will also be allowed to submit written notice for canceling their membership by mail.
• Subscription renewals: Businesses that offer a free trial or promotional period for their product or service must notify customers at least three days before the subscription automatically renews at a paid rate under Senate Bill 2764. The law applies only to subscriptions longer than 15 days.
• Crime victim DNA: When DNA evidence is collected from a crime victim in order to aid a criminal investigation, that information cannot be entered into a DNA database, according to House Bill 1168.
Conclusion:
Illinois is set to see a significant number of new laws take effect in 2025, with changes ranging from digital driver’s licenses to salary transparency and AI regulations. It is important for residents to familiarize themselves with these new laws to ensure compliance and understand the changes that will impact their daily lives.
FAQs:
* What is the new digital driver’s license law?
The new law allows the secretary of state to create a process for issuing digital driver’s licenses and state IDs, but does not require agencies or private entities to accept digital IDs in place of physical IDs.
* What is the purpose of the salary transparency law?
The law aims to provide more transparency in the job market by requiring employers to include information about benefits and salary ranges on job postings.
* What is the definition of “junk” health insurance?
“Junk” health insurance refers to short-term, limited duration health insurance plans that do not meet the minimum standards of the federal Affordable Care Act.
