CHICAGO (WLS) -- A new year means more new laws in Illinois.
More than 300 new Illinois laws will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. They cover a range of topics from public health to public education, pet adoptions and drug education.
Here's a look at some of the highlights of the new laws that take effect on New Year's Day. You can click here to see a full list of Illinois' new laws in 2024.
The minimum wage in Illinois is going up again.
In Illinois, the minimum wage will increase to $14 an hour for non-tipped workers, $8.40 an hour for tipped workers and $12 an hour for youths under 18 working less than 650 hours per calendar year.
Illinois workers will now be able to take paid time off for any reason as the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act goes into effect.
Most employers in the state will be required to provide 40 hours of paid time off to their workers, and employees can request their days off with only seven days notice. If it's an unplanned absence that could not be foreseen they only need to request the time off as soon as possible.
The law also says employers cannot require or ask their staff to find a replacement to work for them if they need to take time off, and are prohibited from discriminating against workers who take time off by lowering their hours or not giving them opportunities for advancement.
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