From minimum wage to driving – plenty more new laws in 2020

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Hundreds of new laws take effect Jan. 1 in Illinois. Lawmakers passed more than 630 bills since January. State Sen. Robert Martwick reflects saying the past year has been “tremendous in terms of the stuff that we did.” Many of the new laws took effect when they were signed, or started with the beginning of the fiscal year July 1. “You can talk about all the big, hot button issues whether it’s your Protective Health Act, $15-per-hour minimum wage, gaming expansion….” Martwick said. While rules for some new laws like gambling expansion are still being crafted for implementation, employers will have to adhere to the increased minimum wage that takes effect Jan. 1. Employers have a slew of other new regulations to follow. Drivers also have to adhere to new laws like not streaming video while behind the wheel. There are also updated regulations for schools, parents and the criminal justice system. Altogether more than 250 new laws take effect on New Year’s Day. While updates to the state’s food stamp law took effect this summer, it says the program allowing food stamps to be used at restaurants “shall be operational no later than Jan. 1.” Something else that was enacted this summer is the state’s capital construction bill paid for with tax and fee increases, but one element, the $10,000 cap on vehicle trade-in allowances, kicks in on New Year’s Day. State Rep. Ryan Spain tried to reverse that this fall but failed to get a vote. “I think it’s unfortunate that the Legislature did not take action on this issue,” Spain said. “I think there’s lots of support for making this change – making this fix – so we’re not imposing a tax on a tax. Which is completely unfair.” Other new laws that start on New Year’s Day include: single-occupancy public bathrooms must be gender-neutral with the word “restroom” posted, anyone wanted to practice Chinese herbology must get a state license, and expect more poker runs and raffles as that law will be expanded.

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