McHenry Times

As the new year approaches, Illinois residents can expect several new laws to take effect on January 1, 2024. These laws cover various areas, including education, elections, healthcare, parenting, sports, transportation, and support for veterans and military families.

One significant change is the expiration of the Invest in Kids program, which provided scholarships to low-income K-12 students in struggling schools. Despite efforts to save the program, it is set to expire due to the lack of intervention from Governor JB Pritzker and the refusal of legislative Democrats. Senator John Doe expressed his disappointment, stating, "I was a vocal advocate for the continuation of these transformational scholarships, and as the Senate Republican Caucus looks ahead to the new year, this program and the students it serves will continue to be a priority."

In the field of education, new laws will focus on school safety, staffing, and work-based learning. Schools will now be required to include a rapid entry strategy for law enforcement in their emergency and crisis response plans. Additionally, students with special accommodation needs during emergencies will have their requirements considered in their individualized education programs. Hard-to-staff schools will receive a boost with the provision of retention bonuses for National Board-Certified Teachers. Furthermore, students participating in work-based learning experiences, such as FFA and 4-H programs, will be considered "in attendance."

The 2024 election cycle will see several changes to Illinois' election laws. These include removing the requirement for a sponsoring entity to be listed on a political committee's statement of organization forms, allowing 16-year-olds to pre-register to vote, and requiring the transmission of certain Vote by Mail and early ballot information to the State Board of Elections. The legislation also mandates curbside voting availability and creates task forces to review voting systems and the security of remote Vote by Mail.

In terms of healthcare, background checks for healthcare workers will be expanded to all 50 states, ensuring more thorough vetting of their backgrounds. Insurance companies will now be required to cover home saliva cancer screening tests for at-risk individuals. There will also be coverage for behavioral health services delivered via telehealth, preventive liver disease screenings, and necessary therapy and equipment for children with certain diseases or disorders. Additionally, insurers and managed care plans must provide coverage for medically necessary proton beam therapy for the treatment of cancer.

A new law will empower parents of children with special needs by allowing them access to certain medical records for children aged 12-17. Previously, parents could be denied access to these records, but Senate Bill 188 closes this loophole.

In the realm of sports, hunters, fishermen, and trappers will have the option to obtain a three-year license, with reduced fees for residents aged 65 or older and resident veterans. Furthermore, eligible individuals who have not purchased a fishing license in the past 10 years can receive a one-time annual resident fishing license for a reduced fee.

Transportation laws will see the implementation of the Illinois Dig Once Act, which aims to reduce the number of road excavations necessary for the installation of broadband infrastructure and underground utilities. Another law will prohibit individuals from video conferencing while driving to ensure road safety.

Support for veterans and military families will be extended through two new laws. Housing authorities will be required to grant housing preferences to homeless veterans, similar to existing benefits provided to other groups of Illinoisans. State agencies will also consider the military status of homeless family members when determining eligibility for state or federal benefits. Additionally, the Honor and Remember Flag will be designated as the symbol of the state's commitment to honoring and remembering fallen members of the United States Armed Forces.

Lastly, a law set to take effect in 2024 will require animal shelters to waive adoption fees for dogs or cats if the person adopting is a veteran. This initiative recognizes the positive impact that pets can have on veterans' well-being.

As the new year begins, Illinois residents can expect these new laws to shape various aspects of their lives, from education and elections to healthcare and support for veterans and military families.

Click this link to access more information: https://senatorwilcox.com/2023/12/28/new-year-new-laws-part-ii/