On New Year’s Day, more than 300 bills will go into effect as new state laws.  Changes are being made that will impact gun owners, Illinois drivers, utility customers, and many others.  State Representative Brad Halbrook talked a little about some of the new rules that are being implemented in 2024. 

January 1st is the day that gun owners must register all firearms and ammunition they currently own that are listed under the law.  Illinois State Police have been tasked with creating rules for the registration process and have provided registration information here.

The minimum wage is also increasing to $14/hr.  The minimum wage for tipped employees will go up from $7.80/hr to $8.40/hr.  There is a schedule enacted within the Illinois Minimum Wage Law to get the minimum up to $15. Other new laws that will be enacted on January 1st include drivers being prohibited from video conferencing when behind the wheel, electronic cigarettes and vapes prohibited in public places and near building entrances, utility customers prohibited from cutting off services to residential customers when the temperature reaches 90 degrees, and new single and multi-family homes must have electric vehicle-capable parking, including the electric panel capacity and conduit needed for charging.

Other rules include libraries around the state adopting the Library Association Bill of Rights which prevents them from having to remove books based on content, and pharmacies and retail stores permitted to sell fentanyl test strips over the counter.  Schools will also be required to have an opioid antagonist in secure locations where an overdose may occur.  

State Representative Halbrook says some of these new laws are worthy ideas, but hundreds of real solutions were denied even debate in the House.  He hopes to see changes in 2024 and hopes to start seeing the word no to some of the spending going on.