New Laws in Illinois You Don't Want to Miss

On January 1, many new Illinois laws went into effect, including prohibiting cellphone use while driving and a speed limit increase on some Illinois highways. Since then, the spring session of the Illinois General Assembly brought another batch of new laws and other actions. Here are five.
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On January 1, many new Illinois laws went into effect, including prohibiting cellphone use while driving and a speed limit increase on some Illinois highways. Since then, the spring session of the Illinois General Assembly brought another batch of new laws and other actions. Here are five.

1) Open stands no longer require a permit if profits do not exceed $1,000
Any "home kitchen operation" cannot be regulated by the health department or local government. This became known as the "Cupcake Law" because it was inspired by 12-year-old Chloe Stirling of Troy, whose cupcake business had been shut down for not having proper credentials for a bakery. Learn more here.

2) A referendum for a minimum wage increase will be put on the November ballot
The referendum will ask voters if they think minimum wage should be increased from $8.25 to $10. The referendum is strictly advisory, but if a majority of voters give their approval, it's highly likely that lawmakers will then act to raise the minimum wage.

3) A referendum about requiring insurance companies to cover birth control will also be put on the November ballot
A month before the U.S. Supreme Court issued its Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Supreme Court Decision, Illinois lawmakers voted to place a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot asking voters if they think insurance companies in the state should still be required to cover birth control. Though a law requiring insurance companies to do so has been on the books in Illinois since 2004, this advisory referendum will gauge public opinion on the question.

4) Dyslexia will now be included in Illinois' special education provisions
State Board of Education will provide teachers with training on how to properly help their dyslexic students.

5) Children will be able to hunt with adult supervision before taking the hunter training safety course
The Youth Hunting License also costs less than its adult counterpart.

Want to know what other laws and actions could affect you? Check out five others on Reboot Illinois, including legislation about sexual assault, voting and education.

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