Illinois Introduces 320 New Laws in 2024, Impacting Weapons, Paid Time Off, and More

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Illinois is set to implement 320 new state laws as 2024 begins, with significant changes affecting various aspects of residents’ lives. Key laws include:

Semi-Automatic Weapons Ban: Following the Highland Park parade shooting, Illinois has banned the sale, possession, or manufacture of semi-automatic weapons, certain types of rifles and handguns, and rapid-firing devices. Limits on magazine capacity are set at 10 rounds for rifles and 15 for handguns. Owners of such firearms are required to register them by January 1, 2024.
Paid Time Off Law: Employers must now provide paid leave, with workers accruing one hour of leave for every 40 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours.
Prohibition of Book Bans in Libraries: State funds will be withheld from libraries that ban books indiscriminately. Libraries are encouraged to follow the American Library Association’s Bill of Rights, which opposes the exclusion of materials based on the creators’ backgrounds or views.
Traffic Law Changes: The new laws prevent police from stopping drivers solely for objects hanging from rearview mirrors and ban video conferencing or social media use while driving, except under specific conditions.
Indoor Vaping Ban: Illinois has expanded its 2008 Smoke-Free Act to include a ban on vaping or using electronic smoking devices in indoor public spaces.
License Plate Reader and Drone Regulations: Restrictions are placed on using license plate readers for tracking women coming to Illinois for abortions. Additionally, law enforcement can use drones for monitoring routed events, but these drones cannot carry weapons or facial recognition technology.
Deepfake Pornography: Victims of deepfake pornography can now sue those who share or threaten to share altered images depicting them in sexual acts or exposing private parts.
Restrooms and Voter Registration Changes: Businesses can opt for all-gender multi-occupancy restrooms, and teenagers can pre-register to vote at age 16 or 17.