As Illinoisans prepare to ring in the New Year, nearly 300 new laws are set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

These new laws cover a wide variety of topics, including policies that impact students, enhance educational opportunities, improve public health and healthcare access, support veterans, and more. Below is a summary of some of the more interesting new laws impacting Illinoisans.

Improvements to Education for Students and Families

Several new laws are taking effect that relate to K-12 education in Illinois schools. House Bill 2801 (P.A. 104-0249) requires ISBE to create a list of approved opportunities related to CTE career pathways. Similarly, House Bill 2802 (104-0250) allows students to have excused absences to participate in Supervised Career Development Experiences that are approved instead of directed by a teacher, allowing students to more easily receive excused absences for FFA events, career and technical education-related events, and national youth organizations’ events.

Other new laws that seek to enhance educational opportunities include House Bill 3026 (P.A. 104-0266), House Bill 3039 (P.A. 104-0267), and Senate Bill 1920 (P.A. 104-0399). HB 3026 aims to improve dual-language program quality by refining implementation standards, while HB 3039 expands what scenarios 7^th or 8^th graders can complete courses that can count toward required high school credits. SB 1920 encourages schools to collect teaching resources to properly implement American Sign Language (ASL) course standards while expanding access to ASL as a recognized language option.

Parents and guardians of students with special needs will benefit starting January 1 from a new law that strengthens their involvement and oversight. House Bill 1366 (P.A. 104-0047)
improves notification and communication requirements so parents receive timely notice about special education services and meetings. It also provides that information be shared that states a parent or guardian is allowed to bring other people with knowledge of the child to the IEP meeting. Similarly, through House Bill 3500 (P.A. 104-0314), parents and guardians will receive information regarding ABLE savings accounts for their students with 504 Plans. This will help families better understand financial tools available to them.

Regarding safety in the classroom, two new laws seek to improve processes and protective measures. Senate Bill 1329 (P.A.104-0373) allows the State Superintendent of Education to notify a school when an employee is being investigated for an alleged act of misconduct that constitutes a threat to the safety of students, including serious physical injury, sexual misconduct, or a sex or other offense involving drugs. Additionally, House Bill 1787 (P.A. 104-0198) ensures substitute teachers receive basic training related to school safety drills to improve consistency in emergency preparedness.

At the higher education level, students will have enhanced access to mental health services through House Bill 3385 (P.A. 104-0303). This new law requires each public university or community college to provide licensed mental health professionals either in a part-time, on-campus capacity or a full-time on or off-campus capacity.

Insurance Changes

Key constituent groups will benefit from changes coming to the Insurance Code in 2026. House Bill 2464 (P.A. 104-0060) helps families avoid high medical expenses by requiring coverage for neonatal intensive care from a nonparticipating provider or nonparticipating facility at no greater out-of-pocket cost than with a participating provider or facility, as long as the care is for emergency services. For older Illinoisans, House Bill 3328 (P.A. 104-0295) establishes pre-admission cognitive assessment requirements for assisted living facilities with Alzheimer’s units to ensure accurate evaluation of cognitive impairments. And Senate Bill 69 (P.A. 104-0068) requires insurance companies to cover therapeutic horseback riding services for qualifying individuals with disabilities. This newer form of therapy helps with the engagement of sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems.

Improvements to Public Health and Healthcare Access

Several new laws related to Public Health and Healthcare Access seek to improve outcomes for Illinoisans in need of support. House Bill 57 (P.A. 104-0037) ensures individuals with disabilities living in CILAs can designate an essential support person who may visit even during public emergencies, while Senate Bill 1491 (P.A. 104-0106) strengthens crisis intervention response by certifying law enforcement therapy dog teams. House Bill 1287 (P.A. 104-0172) improves emergency preparedness by adding long-term care facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act to the list of facilities that must maintain accessible automated external defibrillators (AED). For individuals who choose to be organ donors, House Bill 1616 (P.A. 104-0193) removes barriers to organ donation by extending donor leave protections to part-time public employees, which were previously available only to full-time employees, allowing up to 10 days of leave within a 12-month period.

House Bill 2462 (P.A. 104-0229), known asDillon’s Law, expands community readiness to address severe allergic reactions by allowing trained individuals to carry and administer epinephrine auto-injectors in emergencies. Additionally, House Bill 2874 (P.A. 104-0252) seeks to reduce illegal drug manufacturing by tightening regulations surrounding the sale of ephedrine-related products. House Bill 3645 (P.A. 104-0321) enhances the tracking of the opioid epidemic by requiring EMS providers to report opioid overdoses to the state in a standardized format, and Senate Bill 1238 (P.A. 104-0369) encourages safer and less-addictive pain management options by requiring medical providers to give patients information on non-opioid treatment options.

Vulnerable populations will benefit from enhanced training requirements for guardians through House Bill 2562 (P.A. 104-0237). New training requirements for guardians of adults with disabilities will now have two components: one for guardians of the person and another for guardians of the disabled person’s estate. Illinoisans on hospice care will have easier access to their prescriptions through House Bill 3849 (P.A. 104-0336), which allows authorized employees of an organization providing hospice care to pick up prescriptions on behalf of patients.

Finally, parents will have increased awareness of possible metal toxins in baby food through Senate Bill 73 (P.A. 104-0345). This new law requires stricter testing and transparency regarding heavy metals in baby foods by requiring that manufacturers of baby food test each production batch of baby food for toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.

Supporting our Veterans

Action was taken in the legislature this year to support veterans and enhance their access to services. Senate Bill 32 (P.A. 104-0067) reduces barriers that veterans may face when trying to qualify for and access SNAP benefits by providing that households including veterans or armed forces members should be categorically eligible for SNAP benefits if their gross income is at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Similarly, Senate Bill 2175 (P.A. 104-0136) improves veterans’ access to healthcare by providing that veterans who are employed receive four paid days per year to receive medical care authorized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at any type of health care provider or health care facility (rather than permitted four days per year to visit a veterans hospital or clinic). And lastly, House Bill 2572 (P.A. 104-0238) supports families who have sacrificed for the country by expanding eligibility for scholarship grants to dependents of veterans.

Improving Women’s Health

Comprehensive changes are coming in the area of women’s health. New laws related to insurance changes include House Bill 5282 (P.A. 103-0701), whichimproves maternal health protections for new mothers by extending certain pregnancy- and postpartum-related healthcare coverages. House Bill 5295 (P.A. 103-0703) broadens insurance coverage for hormone-therapy to treat menopause, and House Bill 4180 (P.A. 103-0808) helps with early detection of breast cancer for women with dense breast tissue by requiring insurance coverage for enhanced breast imaging for those at higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Other new laws that benefit women’s health include House Bill 2688 (P.A. 104-0244), which increases access to maternity care options by clarifying and expanding scope-of-practice rules for certified midwives.

Addressing the Crime of Human Trafficking

Several strides were made in the ongoing battle against human trafficking. Senate Bill 1422 (P.A. 104-0099) seeks to improve early intervention by enhancing training for frontline workers to recognize trafficking indicators. House Bill 2602 (P.A. 104-0241) provides enhanced protection by extending the statute of limitations for certain trafficking-related crimes. Victims of human trafficking will also have access to several new programs as they move into recovery. Senate Bill 2323 (P.A. 104-0159) enhances Illinois’ response to human trafficking by streamlining support services and enhancing coordination among state agencies. House Bill 1302 (P.A. 104-0173) amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act to enhance victim rights and reporting procedures for criminal sexual assault and domestic violence cases.

Helping Tomorrow’s Farmers

Individuals seeking to enter Illinois’s top industry of agriculture and farming will receive valuable assistance through Senate Bill 2372 (P.A. 104-0146). This law creates a Farmland Transition Commission to examine current barriers individuals aged 25 through 40 face when trying to purchase or access farmland. The commission members must review current incentives and policies to encourage the transfer of farmland to current or prospective farmers between the ages of 25 and 40 and make recommendations on possible incentives or policies to assist these individuals in purchasing or accessing farmland.

Improved Business Practices, E-Signing

A few new laws will modernize business practices in Illinois. Among them are House Bill 1631 (P.A. 104-0195) and Senate Bill 2044 (P.A. 104-0406). HB 1631 clarifies the Department of Innovation and Technology’s authority, emphasizing more secure and standardized state technology practices. It is intended to reduce confusion across agencies and strengthen accountability. SB 2044 expands the validity of web-based signatures for a wider range of transactions. It creates new levels of convenience for consumers and businesses while promoting secure verification standards.

Enhanced Consumer Protections & Fraud Prevention

Significant steps were taken this year to protect consumers from fraud and put strengthened rules in place for those who might prey on the elderly and other vulnerable groups. House Bill 1865 (P.A. 104-0055) targets predatory insurance selling practices, especially those aimed at seniors in nursing home/long-term care settings and seeks to hold bad actors accountable without burdening legitimate agents. Similarly, Senate Bill 2318 (P.A. 104-0144) ensures that FinTech companies and any others face penalties for misleading consumers into believing that they are chartered banks. The measure is designed to back honest businesses and protect consumers from dishonest schemes. Additionally, House Bill 3352 (P.A. 104-0297) prohibits collection agencies from pursuing debts obtained through coercion or abuse by providing victims with a clearer process to challenge illegitimate debt claims.

When Illinoisans with mental health issues or disability challenges are hospitalized, House Bill 3718 (P.A. 104-0327) strengthens oversight of mental health and developmental disability facilities by improving how employee misconduct is investigated, helping protect residents and reassure families and loved ones. It promotes accountability within state-run and contracted programs and should provide families and loved ones with peace of mind. House Bill 1431 (P.A. 104-0181) requires clearer disclosure when medical facilities charge separate “facility fees.” This will help patients better understand costs upfront and avoid unexpected bills. Another new law, House Bill 1597 (P.A. 104-0191), strengthens protections for residents in assisted living and nursing homes by requiring notice of significant health changes and preventing unsafe or improper discharges to help ensure seniors and people with disabilities receive appropriate care and to give families peace of mind.

Addressing Environmental Concerns

With hopes of reducing the amount of garbage in landfills, House Bill 3098 (P.A. 104-0274)
updates standards for recycling electronics by encouraging responsible disposal. It specifically includes provisions regarding education and consumer awareness requirements for electronic recycling events. It also simplifies the permit process for those who want to host an e-waste collection program. In addition, Senate Bill 2425 (P.A. 104-0148) revises regulations surrounding low-level radioactive materials with a focus on safety compliance.

Public Safety, Criminal Justice

Several new laws aim to improve public safety in 2026. Senate Bill 1195 (P.A. 104-0084) updates training standards for law enforcement by requiring the curriculum for probationary law enforcement officers to include a block of instruction addressing trauma-informed programs, procedures, and practices. Additionally, House Bill 3140 (P.A. 104-0276) supports law enforcement animals that served the state by establishing a program to ensure proper medical care for retired police K-9s.

Other new laws that address public safety and criminal justice include House Bill 3439 (P.A. 104-0307), which prioritizes child safety by strengthening background-check requirements for childcare workers, and House Bill 2690 (P.A. 104-0245) which strengthens penalties and reporting requirements for crimes involving child sexual abuse materials.

Victims of sexual assault have new avenues available to them through Senate Bill 1274 (P.A. 104-0371). This lawhelps victims of sexual assault flee their abusers by providing free transportation vouchers to be used for taxis and car-share services. Another new law that seeks to improve outcomes for victims is House Bill 2774 (P.A. 104-0247), which requires the Department of Human Services to establish a statewide Domestic Violence hotline for information and referrals.

Individuals with developmental disabilities will benefit from expanded outreach under Senate Bill 1548 (P.A. 104-0384), which allows the Endangered Missing Person Advisory outreach program to promote awareness directly to individuals with developmental disabilities, their communities, and the organizations that serve them. And Senate Bill 24 (P.A. 104-0339) seeks toprovide families with clarity and closure by improving procedures for reporting and investigating missing persons and unidentified remains.

House Bill 1697 (P.A. 104-0027) and Senate Bill 1295 (P.A. 104-0372) enhance lifesaving capabilities during emergencies by requiring all dispatchers to be trained in how to guide callers through the steps of CPR, while House Bill 3178 (P.A. 104-0282) regulates the misuse of digital replicas of individuals for harmful or deceptive purposes by protecting personal likeness rights amid evolving technology like AI. And lastly, Senate Bill 1563 (P.A. 104-0029) strengthens property owners’ rights by making it easier to remove squatters who move in and try to occupy someone else’s home, by removing the requirement that property owners undergo a lengthy eviction process.

Laws Affecting Sportsmen/Women, Landowners, and Outdoorsmen

Outdoor enthusiasts will see new enhancements through a series of bills taking effect on January 1. House Bill 2340 (P.A. 104-0059) provides for the issuance of free landowner deer permits for landowners with at least 20 acres who live in counties where DNR has identified chronic wasting disease in the deer population. Also benefiting sportsmen/women is Senate Bill 710 (P.A. 104-0361), which loosens regulations concerning nuisance permits and landowner permits by providing for the automatic issuance of additional antlerless-only permits during the regular firearm or archery season if a landowner demonstrates proof of harvesting certain percentages. This new law also provides that Illinois resident tenants of at least 40 acres of commercial farmland can receive free deer and turkey permits to hunt only on that land, including one either-sex and one antlerless-only permit for both firearm and archery deer seasons. For boaters, Senate Bill 2179 (P.A. 104-0137) improves enforcement and encourages safer recreation by updating boat-registration procedures and safety standards.

Improving Safety for Motorists and Drivers

Motorists and cyclists will enjoy improvements that aim to improve safety on the roads. House Bill 1120 (P.A. 104-0041) helps first responders in emergencies by removing the ineffective requirement for driver’s licenses and state IDs to include space for voluntary blood-type and Rh-factor information, and Senate Bill 2075 (P.A. 104-0408) standardizes training guidelines and increases the number of training Illinois training centers for motorcycle riders.