Nearly 300 new laws will take effect in Illinois on January 1, 2026. Below is overview of notable new laws, organized by topic, with bill numbers included for reference.
Education
- HB 2801 (P.A. 104-0249): Requires ISBE to create a list of approved career and technical education (CTE) pathway opportunities.
- HB 2802 (P.A. 104-0250): Allows excused absences for approved supervised career development experiences, including FFA and CTE events.
- HB 3039 (P.A. 104-0267): Expands opportunities for 7th and 8th graders to earn high school credit.
- SB 1920 (P.A. 104-0399): Expands access to American Sign Language instruction and related teaching resources.
- HB 1366 (P.A. 104-0047): Strengthens notification and participation rights for parents of students in special education.
- HB 3500 (P.A. 104-0314): Requires schools to provide information on ABLE savings accounts for students with 504 Plans.
- SB 1329 (P.A. 104-0373): Allows ISBE to notify schools when an employee is under investigation for serious misconduct.
- HB 1787 (P.A. 104-0198): Requires safety-related training for substitute teachers.
- HB 3385 (P.A. 104-0303): Requires public colleges and universities to provide access to licensed mental health professionals.
Healthcare & Public Health
- HB 2464 (P.A. 104-0060): Limits out-of-pocket costs for emergency neonatal care from nonparticipating providers.
- HB 3328 (P.A. 104-0295): Establishes pre-admission cognitive assessment requirements for assisted living facilities with Alzheimer’s units.
- HB 57 (P.A. 104-0037): Allows individuals with disabilities in CILAs to designate an essential support person.
- HB 1287 (P.A. 104-0172): Requires AEDs in additional long-term care facilities.
- HB 1616 (P.A. 104-0193): Expands donor leave protections for organ donors, including part-time public employees.
- HB 2462 (P.A. 104-0229): Allows trained individuals to carry and administer epinephrine in emergencies.
- HB 2874 (P.A. 104-0252): Tightens regulations on ephedrine-related products.
- HB 3645 (P.A. 104-0321): Requires standardized reporting of opioid overdoses by EMS providers.
- SB 1238 (P.A. 104-0369): Requires providers to inform patients of non-opioid pain management options.
- HB 2562 (P.A. 104-0237): Establishes new training requirements for guardians of adults with disabilities.
- HB 3849 (P.A. 104-0336): Allows hospice staff to pick up prescriptions on behalf of patients.
- SB 73 (P.A. 104-0345): Requires stricter testing and transparency of heavy metals in baby food.
Veterans
- SB 32 (P.A. 104-0067): Expands SNAP eligibility for households that include veterans or service members if their gross income is at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
- SB 2175 (P.A. 104-0136): Provides paid leave for veterans to receive VA-authorized medical care.
- HB 2572 (P.A. 104-0238): Expands scholarship eligibility for dependents of veterans.
Women’s Health
- HB 5282 (P.A. 103-0701): Extends certain pregnancy- and postpartum-related healthcare coverage.
- HB 5295 (P.A. 103-0703): Expands insurance coverage for menopause hormone therapy.
- HB 4180 (P.A. 103-0808): helps with early detection of breast cancer by requires insurance coverage for enhanced imaging for women with dense breast tissue.
- HB 2688 (P.A. 104-0244): Expands access to maternity care through certified midwives.
