Happy New Year to you and your family! As we embark upon a new year filled with endless possibilities, I would like to provide some information about some of the new laws that took effect on January 1, 2025.
Aside from laws passed during the 2024 legislative session, on January 1, 2025, the final step in the phased-in minimum wage increase that began in 2019 under Senate Bill 1 (P.A. 101-0001) took effect. The new $15 per hour rate applies to workers aged 18 and older, ensuring higher wages for many Illinois residents but higher costs for employers at a time when Illinois lags the rest of the country in new non-government job creation.
In all, 293 new laws took effect on January 1, 2025. Here is a sampling of some of the new laws that I supported that may be of interest to you:
Education and School Safety
House Bill 5394 (P.A. 103-0608) requires school personnel to receive cardiac emergency response training to better prepare for medical emergencies.
Senate Bill 2824 (P.A. 103-0629) ensures that all children who have been removed from their homes by DCFS are able to attend their original school district if determined by DCFS to be in the best interest of the child.
Senate Bill 3571 (P.A. 103-1019) ensures all Illinois schools have automated external defibrillators available during the school day and extracurricular activities.
Advancements in Public Safety
House Bill 5370 (P.A. 103-0711) strengthens Scott’s Law by increasing penalties for drivers who fail to move over for emergency or construction vehicles.
Senate Bill 2683 (P.A. 103-0760) expands stalking protections by prohibiting the use of electronic tracking systems without consent.
House Bill 4623 (PA 103-0825) clarifies that Illinois’ child pornography laws apply to images and videos created by artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
House Bill 5465 (PA 103-0717) creates an easier process for child victims of trafficking to have their juvenile records expunged or sealed as a result of any criminal acts they were forced to take part in while being abused.
Enhanced Justice and Public Safety
House Bill 4589 (P.A. 103-0677) targets catalytic converter theft by enhancing penalties and increasing accountability for metal recyclers who buy and sell catalytic converters.
Senate Bill 3201 (P.A. 103-0949) requires police officers to receive training on autism awareness to improve interactions with individuals on the spectrum.
Expanded Consumer Protections
Senate Bill 3342 (P.A. 103-0976) mandates that state and local governments provide public notice at least 24 hours before applying pesticides in public rights-of-way located in municipalities, helping protect residents from unexpected chemical exposure.
Senate Bill 2933 (PA 103-0648) prohibits a consumer reporting agency to make, create, or furnish any consumer report or credit reporting containing information that the consumer reporting agency knows or should know relates to medical debt incurred by the consumer.
Updates for Drivers and Motorists
House Bill 4592 (P.A. 103-0824) allows Illinois residents to obtain mobile identification cards and driver’s licenses through the Secretary of State.
Senate Bill 2740 (P.A. 103-0916) ensures condominium associations must make reasonable accommodations for accessible parking spaces. The board of managers must make reasonable efforts to facilitate a resolution between unit owners to provide for accessible parking when the association does not own or otherwise control parking.
Insurance Regulation Updates
Senate Bill 2697 (P.A. 103-0914) mandates coverage for clinical genetic testing and evidence-based cancer imaging under group health insurance plans, capping cost-sharing at a maximum of $50 for related services when cost-sharing isn’t already prohibited under federal law.
House Bill 4789 (P.A. 103-0832) updates provisions for dental provider network assignments and clarifies prior authorization procedures to reduce claim denials.
Support for Veterans and Military Families
House Bill 2856 (P.A. 103-0406) death certificates can now include details about a deceased individual’s military service, helping families access survivor benefits.
Senate Bill 2751 (P.A. 103-0621) waives building permit fees for home modifications needed to accommodate disabled veterans.
Senate Bill 2959 (P.A. 103-0933) provides Gold Star Family designations on state IDs and free admission to state museums like the Shedd Aquarium and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.
House Bill 4757 (P.A. 103-0828) requires the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and the Illinois Department of Labor to create and make available, at no cost, a poster highlighting free veterans’ benefits and services.
Senate Bill 3479 (P.A. 103-0783) makes it an unlawful practice for any person providing veteran or military benefits services to fail to clearly provide, both orally and in writing, veterans services disclosures when veteran or military benefits services are provided in exchange for any financial compensation, benefit, or thing of value.
Workplace Changes
Senate Bill 3207 (P.A. 103-0952) authorizes daycare centers to operate for 24 hours and provide care for children for up to 12 hours if the parent of the child is employed in a position that requires regularly scheduled shifts. A 10-hour period must elapse between daycare visits.
House Bill 5546 (P.A. 103-0614) modernizes underground utility protections by requiring excavation notifications through JULIE, ensuring safe digging practices.
Public Health and Wellbeing
House Bill 2443 (P.A. 103-0530) extends hearing aid coverage to all ages, while House Bill 3639 (P.A. 103-0454) caps the cost of epinephrine twin-packs at $60.
Senate Bill 2672 (P.A. 103-0758) ensures brand-name drug coverage when generic options are unavailable due to supply issues.
House Bill 5087 (P.A. 103-0849) expands access to physical therapy through telehealth, addressing care access issues statewide.
To view the full list of new laws taking effect on January 1, 2025, click here.
Lewis Honors Bloomingdale Park District “Best of the Best” Winners
Toward the end of December I had an opportunity to present official certificates of recognition from the Illinois Senate to the Bloomingdale Park District’s Best of the Best award winners. In October, three Bloomingdale Park District nominations earned prestigious statewide recognition at the Illinois Association of Park Districts’ Best of the Best awards ceremony. Local winners include:
- Highlander Improvement Company – Best Friend of Illinois Parks – Small Business Award
- Bloomingdale Parks Foundation President Rick Tayfel – Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award
- Bloomingdale Garden Club – Partnership Award
Congratulations to all 2024 winners!
Senator Lewis Working on Comprehensive 2025 Outreach Program
My staff and I are working hard to create a 2025 constituent outreach and events program that offers something for everyone. Popular events, including IPASS on Demand, I-CASH, and Senior Fairs are already being coordinated, and we will also continue with regular traveling office hours, the Valentines for Seniors program, and many other events.
As the calendar comes together for 2025, events will be promoted in future newsletters and listed on the “Events” page of my website.
Lame Duck Session Set for Jan. 4-7; Inauguration for 104th General Assembly Scheduled for Jan. 8
Legislators are currently in Springfield for a “Lame Duck” session to finish off the 103rd General Assembly, and the 104th General Assembly will be sworn into office on Wednesday, January 8. I personally do not support the use of lame duck sessions, as they provide opportunities for outgoing lawmakers who are no longer held accountable to voters to take unpopular votes on polarizing issues. Previous lame duck sessions brought us the following controversial and unpopular laws:
2021 Lame Duck Session: Passage of the controversial SAFE-T Act which placed unfunded mandates on law enforcement and ended cash bail (HB 3653)
2019 Lame Duck Session: 15% pay hike for legislators (SB 3531)
2011 Lame Duck Session: 67% tax hike on working families and a 46% tax hike on employers (SB 3539)
Lewis, Grant, & Sanalitro Meet with Large Homeschool Delegation
In December, Representatives Amy Grant and Jennifer Sanalitro and I had the privilege of meeting with a large group of homeschooled kids from the area. We talked about the role of a lawmaker, how a bill becomes a law, and how people even their age can help influence change through legislative ideas. It was a wonderful event and we look forward to future collaboration with the homeschool community across the 24th District!
Madigan Trial Continues into 2025
The corruption trial against former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has entered its fourth month at the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago. Over the last several weeks, federal prosecutors have called several key witnesses to build their case that the political leader engaged in racketeering and bribery conspiracy. Witnesses have included local, state, and federal elected officials, alongside family members and business leaders.
Most recently, the highly anticipated witness, former Chicago Alderman Danny Solis, wrapped up his testimony after 21 hours on the stand over the course of six days. While serving as Chairman of the City of Chicago’s Zoning Committee, Solis secretly recorded multiple conversations with Madigan, in which he sought to recruit business for Madigan’s law firm.
Madigan was indicted in March 2022 on 23 counts of racketeering, bribery, and official misconduct. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a years-long bribery scheme with the state’s largest utility, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd). He served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021, holding the role of Speaker for all but two years.
Senate Republicans have introduced several key pieces of legislation calling for sweeping ethics reforms to prevent future abuses of power. The Madigan trial is expected to continue well into this new year.
ICC Winter Weather Rule in Effect through March 31
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is reminding consumers that Illinois’ winter weather rule is now in effect through March 31. The winter weather rule prohibits utilities from disconnecting eligible customers who use electric or gas as their primary source of home heating.
To protect Illinoisans during dangerous cold, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) participants; electric space heating customers; and military personnel and veterans cannot be disconnected if they fall behind on their utility bills.
To protect against disconnection, customers with past due balances should contact their utility to enroll in a Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA). If your electric or gas service has already been disconnected, contact your utility directly to see if you qualify for reconnection at less than the full amount owed.
Households struggling to pay their utility bills are encouraged to apply for LIHEAP annually with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. To apply for assistance, please visit: https://dceo.illinois.gov/comm…/utilitybillassistance.html.
Ameren, Nicor, North Shore, and Peoples Gas natural gas customers who qualify for LIHEAP or whose incomes are at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty line are eligible for a monthly discount on their gas bills through the state’s new low-income discount rates.
Enrollment in the programs mentioned above is free of charge.
Contact the ICC’s Consumer Services Division at 1-800-524-0795 for further guidance or to file a complaint against your utility, and feel free to call my legislative office with questions or help with receiving benefits (630) 349-0645.