The minimum wage in Illinois will rise to $12 per hour, criminal justice reform will continue updating police standards, residents of public housing will be able to keep pets, and students soon can take mental health days without a doctor's note.
Also, schools soon cannot discriminate based on hairstyles, Juneteenth will become a paid holiday, and governments soon cannot shut down kids' lemonade stands.
Those are just some of about 300 new laws that take effect in the new year.
Minimum wage: The increase is actually the result of a 2019 law that phases in a state minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025. This year, it will increase by one dollar to $12 an hour.
Students' mental health days: A new law will allow students in Illinois up to five excused absences to attend to their mental or behavioral health without providing a medical note. Those students will be given an opportunity to make up any work they missed during the first absence and, after using a second mental health day, may be referred to the appropriate school support personnel.
Relatedly, insurers who issue group plans will be required to make sure those they cover have quick access to treatment of mental or emotional conditions or for substance abuse.
Criminal justice reform: The wide-ranging criminal justice overhaul, spurred by police officers' killings of George Floyd and others, will bring the first statewide certification and decertification process for police officers. It standardizes the certification of...
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