Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) | Courtesy Photo
Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) | Courtesy Photo
State Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Woodhull) is alerting Illinois residents to the nearly 300 new laws that went into effect in the state as of Jan. 1.
“When the new year arrives on January, 1 it will bring with it nearly 300 new laws in Illinois – everything from addressing confidentiality for victims of human trafficking to lowering fees for trailer license plates,” Swanson posted on Facebook. “Insurance companies will now be required to cover comprehensive testing for cancer predisposition, pancreatic cancer screenings and tests for diabetes and vitamin D deficiency.”
In particular, Swanson pointed to new laws that include making parking easier for expectant mothers in their third trimester with a free placard to park in handicap-designated spots and new educational scholarships for military families as some of the biggest changes.
In a 53-page PDF, there are summaries of hundreds of new laws, including trampoline park regulations (Public act 102-255), public business data transparency (Public Act 102-49, House Bill 115), hormonal contraceptive coverage (Public Act 102-103, House Bill 135) and SNAP benefits for diapers and menstrual hygiene products (Public Act 102-248, House Bill 155)
Other laws now in effect include Public Act 101-0001, which increases the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025. In 2022, wage requirements will rise to $12 an hour for standard workers and $9.25 an hour for workers under the age of 18 who work less than 650 hours per calendar year and Senate Bill 1682, which amends the Pharmacy Practice Act and erases limits imposed on consumers looking to find out the retail price of brand name or generic prescription drugs.
Among the veteran/military legislation passed during the 2021 spring session is House Bill 20, which stipulates that “no registration fee for a Gold Star license plate shall be required of a surviving widow, widower, or parent of a deceased member of the Armed Forces if that member lost his or her life while in service while in wartime” and House Bill 1290, which expands “the state definition of honorable discharge to include veterans who were discharged due to sexuality or gender identity.”
According to military data, over 13,000 enlisted members of the LGBTQ community were discharged while the policy was in effect.
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