There are over 150 new laws going into effect in 2024, but here are a dozen likely to affect your life. They might impact the cost of a burger, your gun ownership, where you can vape and who your local police officer is and what that officer can do.
By Patrick Andriesen | Illinois Policy
More than 150 new laws will go into effect in 2024, including a statewide minimum wage hike, changes to Illinois’ criminal sentencing requirements, restrictions on vaping and gun ownership, and a new rule allowing non-citizens to become police officers.
Of the new laws signed by Gov. J.B. Pritkzer, at least 89 will take effect Jan. 1, 2024. Here’s what you need to know about some of the laws going into effect in the new year:
- Illinois minimum wage increase: The hourly minimum wage for non-tipped employees will increase from $13 to $14, while the minimum wage for tipped workers will grow from $7.80 to $8.40 an hour.
- Non-citizen police applicants: Any individual who is not a citizen but legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law is authorized to become a police officer, subject to all requirements and limitations.
- Assault weapons ban registry: Gun owners must register banned weapons with the Illinois State Police by Jan. 1, 2024. After New Year’s Eve, assault weapons owners failing to register face criminal charges ranging from a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense up to a Class 3 felony, punishable by five to 10 years in prison.
- Indoor public vaping ban: Illinoisans found to be vaping indoors in a public space could face penalties up to $250.
- Abolish life sentences for youth offenders: Youth offenders under the age of 21 can no longer receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole. This will retroactively affect anyone currently incarcerated who was sentenced before they were 21.
Read on here.