Hannah Lee is the Legal Content Manager at Illinois Legal Aid Online. Gwen Daniels is Deputy Director at Illinois Legal Aid Online.

The Illinois legislature was busy in 2021! We tracked over 700 bills that were sent to the Governor’s office to see if they became law. If they did, we then tracked whether they impacted the information on our site. Most did not, but many did.

Of those that did, some have already taken effect. Below is a list comprised mostly of the laws that take effect today, January 1st, 2022. Included is a list of pages on our site that were updated.

Family & Safety

SB 593 Strengthens address confidentiality for victims of human trafficking

The Address Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking Act includes the same protections for victims of human trafficking. Those who qualify may register to vote by submitting an Illinois Address Confidentiality Program Voter Registration Application. Their information will be private. Their address will not be available to the public. Their address or phone will not be subject to release through the Freedom of Information Act.

SB 2204 Criminal stalking includes threats

Stalking includes threats when the person making it is aware the speech is threatening. 

Getting a no contact order for stalking

SB 1677 No-contact orders and prohibited communication

Allows no-contact orders to prohibit electronic communication, including over email and social media.

Getting a no contact order for stalking 

HB 734 No-contact orders permanence

A victim of criminal sexual assault can request that a no-contact order become permanent.

Getting a no-contact order for sexual assault 

SB 0259 IMDMA-Children relocation

A court can order relocation of a child on a temporary basis. This happens before the entry of a final allocation judgment. It must be in the best interests of the child.

Divorce and parental responsibilities

HB 3793 Juvenile court/DCFS contact ban

DCFS can restrict parent-child or sibling contact to protect the child’s health, safety, and welfare. 

Understanding DCFS investigations

SB 2340 Adult victim privacy

Restricts disclosure of an adult victim of criminal sexual assault.

Rights of crime victims and witnesses 

Business & Work 

SB 0001 Minimum wage

Increases the Illinois minimum wage to $12 per hour starting January 1, 2022. It will continue to increase $1 every year until minimum wage is $15 per hour in 2025. Effective: February 19, 2019. Some areas, like Chicago and Cook County already have higher minimum wages.

Minimum wage in Illinois

HB 14 Licensure and criminal convictions

If you are denied a license, certificate or grant registration due to a criminal conviction, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation must give you an explanation for the denial.

Getting a job in health care after a conviction 

HB 1838 Human rights - disability definition

Discrimination based on disability includes individual’s association with a person with a disability.

My right as a protected class against workplace discrimination
 

SB 00672 Non-compete agreements

Employers can't enter non-compete agreements with employees who earn below $75,000 per year. An agreement not to solicit is prohibited unless the employee earns above $45,000 per year. Employers cannot enter non-compete agreements or agreements not to solicit with employees who have been terminated for reasons related to Covid-19. The law outlines the requirements for these agreements. It applies to all agreements entered on or after January 1, 2022.

School & Education

HB 0576 School absences and mental health

Students are allowed 5 mental health-related absences without a note. This applies to public schools and private schools registered with the state. Students will be given an opportunity to make up any work they missed during the first absence. After using a second mental health day, they can be referred to mental health resources in their school district.

Expelling a student

SB 817 Prohibits discrimination against natural and ethnic hairstyles

The Illinois State Board of Education must review school handbooks and policies to ensure they don’t single out and ban the wearing natural or ethnic hairstyles including locks, braids, twists and afros. Schools failing to comply will face funding cuts. They may lose their recognition with ISBE.

HB 226 Allows students to choose whether to submit their ACT/SAT score 

The Higher Education Fair Admissions Act prohibits standardized test scores as a part of the admissions process. Prospective Illinois resident students may choose to submit them if they wish.

Health & Benefits

HB 1805 Call4Calm text line

Permanently establishes the Call4Calm text line for mental health support. Effective: July 30, 2021. To use, text "talk" to 552020.

Legal issues during the Covid-19 pandemic

SB 147 Medicare open enrollment

A person is entitled to a 45 day open enrollment after their birthday, if they:

• Are between 65 and 75, and 
• Have a Medicare supplement policy. 

They may purchase a Medicare supplement policy with the same issuer. Benefits must be equal to or less than those provided by the previous coverage.

Understanding Medigap

HB 3803 Fair Patient-Collection Action

Provides that a hospital proactively offers charity care options to uninsured patients. This is regardless of immigration status or residency. Effective: December 1, 2021. 

Dealing with hospital bills

Money & Debt

SB 1682 Requires pharmacies to post a notice that customers can request the price of prescriptions

The law provides greater transparency of drug prices. 

HB 122 Early termination fees

If someone dies in the middle of a contract, it can be canceled without penalty. It applies to: 

• Telephone, 
• Cell phone, 
• Television, 
• Medical alert systems, 
• Water, 
• Internet, and 
• Energy services. 

Citizens & Immigration

HB 2790 Public defenders in immigration cases

The public defender may represent noncitizens in immigration cases. This applies in counties with a population over 3,000,000 (Cook County).

Should I get a lawyer for a person in immigration detention?

Crime & Traffic

HB 3027 Special parking decals for pregnant women

Allows the Secretary of State to provide women in their third trimester a 90-day disability parking decal or device. 

People with disabilities and their rights as drivers 

HB 3653 Criminal Justice reform

People in custody can make three phone calls within three hours of arrival. They can use numbers in their cell phones. The number to the public defender must be displayed. Effective July 1, 2021.

Ends suspending driver’s licenses for failure to pay: 

• Traffic violations, 
• Automatic traffic enforcement, or 
• Abandoned vehicle fees. 

Effective no later than July 1, 2021. 

Eliminates cash bail starting January 1, 2023.

My rights during a criminal investigation

Restoration of driving privileges

SB 2122 Juvenile confessions

A confession of a minor is inadmissible if:

• It would be considered a misdemeanor or felony under the Criminal Code by an adult, and
• The officer uses deception. 

Juveniles in the criminal justice system

SB 1976 Corrections point of contact

The Department of Corrections must appoint a contact person for feedback. This person shall receive suggestions, complaints, or other requests to the Department from visitors and other members of the public.

Interacting with people in Illinois prisons

HB 3463 Corrections referral services

The Department of Corrections shall make referral services known to a parolee or release before their release.  Effective: August 20, 2021.

Re-entry resources for prisoners and former prisoners

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

SB 1965 Juneteenth

Recognizes June 19 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day, a state holiday. The federal government designated June 19 as a federal holiday in June 2021. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in Texas in 1865. It was the last US state to end slavery after the Civil War.