Our friends at NBC 5 have rounded up 10 new laws that are taking place at the start of the new year. These are changes to expect on January 1, 2023.
End of Cash Bail
Under the provisions of the bill, as passed by the General Assembly, the state will allow judges to determine whether individuals accused of a specific set of felonies and violent misdemeanors pose a risk to another individual, or to the community at large. Judges will also be asked to determine whether the defendant poses a flight risk if released.
CROWN Act
The Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act, also known as the CROWN Act, is an amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act and aims to further combat discrimination in the state. According to the General Assembly, the bill “provides that ‘race,’ as used in the Employment Article, includes traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists.”
New Student School Helpline
Passed in May, the Student Confidential Reporting Act, establishes a program where officials from schools, the state and Illinois State Police can receive reports and other information regarding the potential harm or self-harm of students or school employees. The Safe2Help helpline will involve a toll-free telephone number and other means of communication allowing messages and information to be given to operators. Details on the helpline can be found here.
Apprenticeship and Internship Pilot Program
The Act to the Job Training Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program Act will create a five-year pilot program aimed at offering assistance and support services, like transportation help or child care subsidies, to eligible people who may have otherwise struggled to complete an apprenticeship or internship.
Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women Act
This new law will create a task force that will examine “the systemic causes behind violence that Chicago women and girls experience.” It also will look at “appropriate methods for tracking and collecting data on violence against Chicago women and girls, including data on missing and murdered Chicago women and girls” and will create new policies and practices “that impact violence against Chicago women and girls and the investigation and prosecution of crimes of gender-related violence against Chicago residents.”
Sports License Plate Changes
Under new Illinois Vehicle Code, the Secretary of State will be required to offer those seeking professional sports teams license plates the option to display the logo of the Chicago Sky, Chicago Fire or the Chicago Red Stars. It also removes the option to add the logo of the St. Louis Rams.
Single-Use Plastics
This law “prohibits the procurement and use of single-use plastic disposable foodware at State parks and natural areas.” And state agency or institution of higher education contract prioritizes bids that offer compostable or recyclable foodware.
Illinois’ New State Snake
Under an amendment to the state’s Designation Act, the Eastern Milksnake will become the official snake of the state of Illinois.
New Smoke Detector Rules
Beginning Jan. 1, the state’s Smoke Detector Act will be changed to state that any smoke detectors must have a “self-contained, non-removable, long term battery.” The change was approved in 2017, but did not take effect until Jan. 1, 2023.
Latex Glove Ban Act
Beginning Jan. 1, any food service establishment will be required to ban latex gloves in the preparation and handling of food. It also prohibits such gloves by emergency personnel. Health care workers will be required to ban the gloves after Jan. 1, 2024.
