The new year brings nearly 300 new laws to Illinois, touching on everything from minimum wage increases to innovative worker protections. Starting January 1, 2025, the state minimum wage increased to $15 per hour, with significant implications for workers across various sectors.
One of the most notable changes is enhanced protection for family caregivers. A new addition to the Human Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on an employee’s provision of personal care for family members. This law recognizes the estimated $600 billion in unpaid services provided by family caregivers annually.
Other significant laws include requirements for pay transparency, with employers now mandated to provide detailed pay stubs including hours worked, pay rates, and deductions. The state has also introduced innovative measures in healthcare, education, and worker rights, such as covering genetic cancer screening for high-risk patients and establishing protections for first responders’ mental health counseling.
