On Friday, Governor JB Pritzker signed 31 new bills into law, introducing a wide range of changes that will affect Illinois residents, schools, health care providers, homeowners, and voters in the coming years.
The newly approved legislation addresses several key issues, including reproductive health care, education, property taxes, consumer safety, and election access.
Among the biggest changes, minors in Illinois will now be able to obtain birth control without parental or guardian permission under a new law. In another consumer protection measure, certain harmful chemicals will be prohibited from use in cosmetic products beginning in 2028.
Homeowners will also receive financial protections if a property is sold because of unpaid property taxes, any money remaining after the tax debt and associated costs are paid must now be returned to the former homeowner in another law passed.
Several other new laws focus on education. Illinoi schools will no longer be allowed to use artificial intelligence to evaluate teachers, and the state has adopted a clearer definition of play-based learning for kindergarten classrooms. Another new measure prevents schools from expelling students in kindergarten through second grade unless required otherwise by Illinois state law.
Voting access is another area of focus, especially for young adults. High schools across Illinois will be required to offer eligible graduating seniors the opportunity to register to vote before leaving school.
Health care access is also expanding. Beginning in 2028, more Illinois residents will qualify for ovarian cancer screenings through broader testing options designed to improve early detection.
The new legislation also aims to improve the court system by allowing defendants to receive three text message reminders before scheduled court appearances, to help reduce missed hearings.
Governor Pritzker is continuing to review additional legislation approved during the Illinois General Assembly’s spring legislative session, with more bills expected to be signed into law in the coming weeks.