22 New Illinois Laws for 2022

For 2022, the Illinois lawmakers added more than 300 new laws to the books.  Among the new laws, are 22 listed below, which may be of interest, anticipation or regret to the residents of Illinois:

1. What’s the real price of this prescription?  Requires pharmacies to post a notice informing consumers that they may request current pharmacy retail prices at the point of sale. (SB 01682)
2. What’s the minimum wage in Illinois?  In 2022, the minimum wage increases to $12/hour, rising to $15/hour by 2025. (P.A. 101-1)
3. Don’t lie to the kids.  Statements provided by minors to law enforcement are inadmissible as evidence if obtained using deceptive practices. (SB 02122)
4. Gender equality extends to animals.  The Animal Control Act has been amended to change the terms “spayed” and “neutered” to “sterilized.” (SB 01673)
5. Pay attention to that guy at the next table.  Restaurant and truck stop employees will receive training to recognize human trafficking and how to report it to authorities. (SB 01600)
6. Don’t buy your American flags from China.  State institutions must buy Illinois and American flags from U.S. manufacturers. (HB 00605)
7. Future Farmers needed.  A course in agricultural sciences counts toward the requirement for three years of science to gain admission to an Illinois public university. (SB 0164)
8. Don’t take up the handicapped parking spot if you’re no longer pregnant.  Expectant mothers can use the disabilities motor decal or device no more than 90 days during their third trimester. (HB 03027)
9. A new Holiday for state workers.  June 19^th or Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in the U.S., is now a paid state holiday. (HB 0-3922)
10. Some “yutes” are too young to vape.  The “Preventing Youth Vaping Act” aims to prevent vaping by children, adds restrictions on the sale of e-cigarettes along with civil and criminal penalties. (SB 00512)
11. Kids don’t need more sugar.  Restaurants must serve water, milk or juice as the default beverage, rather then soda. (SB 01846)
12. I now pronounce you “spouse.”  A married person can request a copy of their marriage license with the term “spouse” rather than any gender-identifying language. (SB 00139)
13. Mistaken bigotry can escalate the crime.  Commission of a crime against a person because of actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status is now a hate crime in Illinois. (SB 01596)
14. The cable bill stops after you die. Utilities can no longer charge early termination fees to customers who die before the end of their contracts. (HB 00122)
15. How do I end this service?  Automatic renewal offers must provide a toll-free number, email, or postal address to cancel the service. (HB 03955)
16. Don’t arrest people in the emergency room.  A person seeking medical assistance for an opioid overdose will have immunity from prosecution for possession of a controlled substance. (HB 03455)
17. Schools to teach how we all built America.  Schools are required to include contributions by Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhists and other faith communities that helped shaped American history.  (SB 00564)
18. Some Public Defenders have more cases.  Public Defenders in counties with more than 3 million inhabitants (um, Cook County??) are permitted to represent noncitizens in immigration cases. (HB 02790)
19. Some kids can’t sing but talk really good.  High school students can substitute forensic speech or debate for a music, art or foreign language requirement. (SB 02354)
20. Leave the kids’ hair alone.  Schools are banned from discriminating against student hairstyles associated with racial, ethnic and cultural traditions.  (SB 00817)
21. Leave the lemonade stand alone.  State and local public health departments may not regulate the sale of lemonade or other non-alcoholic drinks by a person under the age of 16.
22. Fingerprints for FOID cards. Applicants for FOID cards and Concealed Carry Licenses who voluntarily submit fingerprint records will get their cards faster.

For anyone wishing to read the full text of the new laws, you can refer to the cited Public Act (P.A.) on the Illinois General Assembly website, www.ilga.gov.

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