Kane County Reporter

As we approach the new year, several new laws are set to take effect in Illinois on January 1, 2024. These laws cover a range of topics, including education, elections, healthcare, special needs children, sportsmen, transportation, and support for veterans and military families.

One notable change is the expiration of the Invest in Kids program. Since its inception in 2017, this program has provided more than 40,000 scholarships to low-income K-12 students, allowing them to attend a school of their choice. Unfortunately, due to the lack of action from legislative Democrats and Governor JB Pritzker, the program will come to an end. Senator [insert name] expressed disappointment in this decision, 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, several 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 those needs considered in their individualized education programs. Furthermore, hard-to-staff schools will receive a boost with the introduction of retention bonuses for National Board-Certified Teachers.

Changes to Illinois' election laws will also be implemented in time for the 2024 election cycle. These changes include the removal of 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 updates to the statewide voter registration list. The introduction of curbside voting and the creation of task forces to review voting systems and the security of remote vote by mail are also part of the new laws.

Healthcare in Illinois will see several changes in 2024. Background checks for healthcare workers will be expanded to cover all 50 states, ensuring more thorough vetting of healthcare professionals. Insurance companies will also be required to cover home saliva cancer screening tests for at-risk individuals. Other changes include coverage for behavioral health services via telehealth, preventive liver disease screenings, therapy and diagnostic testing for children with certain conditions, and medically necessary proton beam therapy for cancer treatment.

A new law aims to 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, even with parental consent for the tests or procedures.

For sportsmen, a new law will allow hunters, fishermen, and trappers to obtain a three-year license. Reduced fees will be available for residents aged 65 or older and resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Additionally, a one-time annual fishing license will be available at a reduced fee for eligible residents and nonresidents.

Transportation laws will also see changes in 2024. The Illinois Dig Once Act will minimize road excavations by coordinating the installation of broadband infrastructure and underground utilities. In an effort to improve road safety, individuals will be prohibited from video conferencing while driving.

Lastly, two new laws aim to support and recognize veterans and military families. Housing authorities will be required to develop and implement policies granting housing preferences to homeless veterans. This benefit, which is already provided to other groups of Illinoisans, will now be extended to veterans. These laws seek to reduce homelessness among veterans and provide additional assistance to military families.

As the new year begins, these new laws will come into effect, impacting various aspects of life in Illinois. From education to healthcare, transportation to support for veterans, these changes aim to improve the lives of residents across the state.

To find out more, go to this link: https://senatordewitte.com/2023/12/28/new-year-new-laws-part-ii/