Since the end of the 2015 spring legislative session, dozens of new laws have been signed by the governor. Take a look at some of the most important laws likely to effect your life.
5. 1. Do your kids want to open a
lemonade stand or sell cupcakes?
Now they can without having to worry about a state or local
permit. (Just make sure they don’t make more than $1,000.)
Public Act 98-0643
6. 2. Do you think Illinois should raise the
minimum wage to $10 per hour? Think
raising the minimum wage is a terrible
idea?
You’ll get a chance to weigh in on Election Day this year.
Read more.
Public Act 98-0657
7. 3. Do you think that insurance companies
should be required to cover birth control?
Or should that be between you, your
employer and your insurance company?
Weigh in on Election Day. Read more.
Public Act 98-0696
8. 4. Does your child have dyslexia?
Starting next year, dyslexia will be included in Illinois’ special
education provisions and the State Board of Education will
provide teachers with training on how to help children who suffer
from this difficult learning disability. Read more.
Public Act 98-0705
9. 5. Want to take your children hunting?
A new law will allow them to hunt under your supervision before
they take the hunter’s safety course. The Youth Hunting License
also costs less than most existing licenses.
Public Act 98-0620
10. 6. If you ever find yourself in the terrible
position of being sexually assaulted, make
sure your attacker is tested for STDs.
Public Act 98-0760
A new law requires state’s attorneys to ensure your assailant is
tested so you can find out if you may have contracted a
disease.
11. 7. Have you ever wanted to vote, but haven’t
had the time? Have you arrived at the polling
place and realized you weren’t registered at
your current address?
This year, you’ll have more opportunities to early vote and
vote by mail. You also can register to vote on Election Day
itself. (Hint: If you want to register to vote or change your
address, now you can do it online.) Read more.
Public Act 98-0691
12. 8. In order to save lives with a
defibrillator, you have to know
how to use one.
Soon every teenager in the Land of Lincoln will. CPR and the
use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) will be taught
in every school in the state starting this year. (If you have
religious or moral objections, you can pull your child out of
class.) Read more.
Public Act 98-0632
13. 9. Are you a teacher?
A new law changes the order in which teachers are called
back to work after layoffs.
Public Act 98-0648
14. 10. Do you like to play Illinois Lottery
scratch-off games? Do you support the
Special Olympics?
Public Act 98-0649
Coming soon: A Go for the Gold scratch-off game. All
proceeds go to support the Special Olympics and
participating athletes. Read more.