10 New Illinois Laws That Could Change Your Life In 2025

ILLINOIS — Close to 300 new laws are set to take effect in Illinois on Jan. 1, 2025. The new laws run the gamut from raises in the minimum wage to new rules about digital drivers licenses and stricter record-keeping to help curb catalytic converter theft. We focus on 10 of the new Illinois laws in this article, but you can check out the complete list here.

Digital Drivers Licenses and State IDs

In some settings, residents will be able to present a digital version of their Illinois driver's license or state identification card, thanks to HB4592. The new law applies to private entities who opt to accept digital drivers licenses, but does not apply to law enforcement. Residents will still have to show their physical drivers licenses or identification cards to members of law enforcement.

Related: With Mobile Driver’s License Deadline Looming, No Updates From Illinois Secretary Of State

New Minimum Wage in Illinois

Minimum wage in Illinois will increase to $15 an hour statewide and to $9 hourly for tipped employees as of Jan. 1. Illinois is one of 21 states with a minimum wage increase taking effect in the new year. Workers under 18 who work fewer than 650 hours in a calendar year will see their wages increase to $13 hourly under th enew minimum wage law.

Worker Freedom of Speech

The Worker Freedom of Speech Act aims to prevent employers from taking action against employees who opt out of work meetings for political or political reasons. Under SB 3649, retaliation and threats thereof are prohibited against employees for declining to engage in religious or political communications against their will. Employers may be subject to lawsuits for violating SB 3649.

Keeping Tabs On Catalytic Converters

To help combat the continuous surge in catalytic converter thefts, HB4589 will require those who deal in recyclable metal to keep records of identifying information when they purchase catalytic converters. This can include serial numbers, stickers and other identifying info. Under the new law, those who sell catalytic converters to recycled metal dealers must present proof of ownership of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter came.

Landlord Retaliation Act

Under HB4768, residents who rent their homes will be legally protected against retaliation from their landlords in certain circumstances. Landlords will be prohibited from "knowingly terminating a tenancy, increasing rent, decreasing services, bringing or threatening to bring a lawsuit against a tenant for possessing or refusing to renew a lease or tenancy" if the tentant has

• Filed a government complaint about code violations
• Complained of specific code violations to media or local organizations
• Complained or asked for repairs related to health ordinances, building code, the renters lease or other regulations

More Inclusive Gendered Language in Illinois Insurance Code

When HB2350 takes effect, the Illinois Insurance code will be amended to include required coverage of annual Pap smears and prostate cancer exams for all insured, rather than limiting this part of the code's language to "females" and "males." The law is effective, provided the tests have been ordered by a licensed physician.

Updates to Prescription Drug Coverage

If there is a shortage of a "generic drug or therapeutic equivalent," insurances may be required to cover the brand name drug as a substitute. The new law, SB2672, applies to "a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after January 1, 2026."

Prescription Drug Cost Caps and Coverage

One new law, HB3639 will limit the cost of a two-pack of EpiPens to $60. The cost cap applies to any brand of two-pack epinephrine injections.

Another law that takes effect Jan. 1, 2025 is SB3203. This law limits the cost of a 30-day supply of prescription inhalers to $25. This includes

Under HB2443, hearing aids and other instruments that are deemed medically necessary to improve hearing must be covered for all patients.

Autism Training for Police

Once SB3201 takes effect, the Law Enforcement Training Standards Board has two years to integrate requirements for training part- and full-time law enforcement officers to interact with residents with autism. The training will be required for all affected employees within 12 months of it being approved and must be renewed every 24 months.

Corporal Punishment Prohibited in Schools

HB4175 makes an amendment to the Illinois School Code to state that school employees "of any school district, charter school, or nonpublic elementary or secondary school may not engage in corporal punishment of a student, inflict corporal punishment upon a student, or cause corporal punishment to be inflicted upon a student."

Patch Editor Lorraine Swanson contributed to this article.