New Year, New Laws In Illinois Worth Knowing About

No one wants to hear a member of law enforcement or a judge say to them "Ignorance of the law is no excuse," because that generally means that you're in deep trouble.

That's according to a friend who's hoping for a good behavior release sometime this year.

Almost 300 New Illinois Laws Go Into Effect Now That We're In 2022

Like Clarence pointing out that every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings, it's almost like anytime someone says "there ought to be a law," an Illinois lawmaker writes a bill. It's not that there's anything wrong with the idea of new laws, but nearly 300 of them?

I don't have the space or energy to run them all down, but we should take a look at a few of the more notable new additions to Illinois law in 2022.

Let's Start With Some New Laws Affecting Illinois Consumers

Early termination fees can be a giant pain in the rear generally, but they're made even worse when someone passes away and their family is stuck with either ongoing charges or an early termination fee. Automatic renewal offers that you can't find a way out of also have been addressed:

Illinois HB 00122 ends early termination fees for customers of telephone, cellphone, television, internet, energy, medical alert system or water services who die before the end of their contracts.

Illinois HB 03955 provides that automatic renewal offers or continuous service offers online should provide a toll-free number, email or a postal address if the seller directly bills the consumer, or to provide another cost-effective way to cancel the service.

Your Kids Can Open A Lemonade Stand Without Fear Of Shutdown This Year

Thanks to what has become known as Hayli’s Law (SB 00119), Illinois public health departments at the state and local level may not regulate the sale of lemonade or other non-alcoholic drinks or mixed beverages by a person under the age of 16.

You may also find a bit more money in your pocket as Illinois' minimum wage goes up to $12 per hour this year, and rises to $15 per hour by 2025.

Other noteworthy new laws going into effect this year (NBC-5 Chicago):

• HB 0020: Repeals the registration fee for Gold Star license plates for surviving spouses or parents of vets who died in war or peace time.
• HB 00605: Prohibits state institutions from buying Illinois and American flags not produced in the U.S.
• HB 03027: Allows expectant mothers to use a disabilities motor decal or device for no more than 90 days during their third trimester.
• HB 03922: Designates June 19 as a paid state holiday, Juneteenth.