The start of the New Year means new laws for Illinois, tackling issues involving smoking, health care, privacy, and road safety. Here are some of the new laws taking effect in 2024.
Ban on E-cigarette use in indoor public spaces
Illinois has amended the Smoke Free Illinois Act, adding e-cigarettes to the list of items outlawed for indoor use. Beginning January 1, the use of e-cigarettes will be banned in all indoor public spaces and within 15 feet of public entrances.
In 2024, Illinois will become the first state in the U.S. to outlaw book bans. The legislation offers protections for libraries against politically fueled censorship attempts. According to the governor’s office, there were 67 attempts to ban certain books from Illinois libraries in 2022. The new law mandates that reading materials cannot be restricted or removed from public libraries due to partisan or personal approval.
Don’t Zoom and Drive
Illinois has expanded the state vehicle code for 2024 to include restrictions on video conferencing while driving. Under the new amendment, drivers will be prohibited from using platforms like Zoom and Teams while on the road. The amendment will provide added protections for drivers in addition to existing bans on texting and driving.
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Vehicle Theft Hotline
Beginning January 1, car manufacturers in Illinois will be required to establish 24/7 stolen vehicle hotlines, under a new amendment to the Illinois Vehicle Act. The hotlines will collaborate with law enforcement to record tracking information on stolen vehicles. The amendment also mandates tracking service fees to be waived, allowing stolen vehicles to be traced by law enforcement.
Illinois has amended its Digital Forgeries Act to include protections against deep fakes. Deep fakes are digitally altered photos or videos of individuals made without their consent, typically used for the purpose of harassment, extortion, and other offenses. Beginning January 1, victims of deep fakes will have the ability to file civil cases against those who distribute or sell the offensive material.
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The minimum wage in Illinois will increase from $13 an hour to $14 an hour beginning January 1. The minimum wage in Chicago will be unaffected by the increase as the city already has its standard minimum wage that exceeds the state minimum. For Illinois cities without separate municipal wage standards, hourly wages will increase.
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