ILLINOIS — A fresh round of statewide laws and policy changes took effect across Illinois on July 1, headlined by a gas tax increase that now pushes the state tax to 48.3 cents per gallon. This annual automatic hike kicks in as part of the state’s 2019 infrastructure funding plan.
The change comes alongside the launch of Illinois’ record $55.2 billion state budget, and a slate of newly activated laws passed during the 103rd General Assembly — many of which have been years in the making.
New Laws Touch on Gender, Birth Certificates, Education, and Healthcare
Nine notable laws went into effect with wide-ranging impact:
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House Bill 2297 mandates that state agencies collect gender-inclusive data, removing outdated “male/female” classifications in favor of options like “man,” “woman,” and “non-binary or gender non-conforming”.
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HB 4727 waives birth certificate and record search fees for those under guardianship when requests are made by the Office of the State Guardian.
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Under SB 3182, grieving parents will now be able to receive a certificate of birth following a stillbirth after 20 weeks of gestation — a measure known as Liam’s Law.
Climate Change Education Now State-Backed
Illinois has taken a major step toward environmental literacy with House Bill 4895, which requires public schools to incorporate climate change education into their curriculum by the 2026–27 school year.
The law directs the State Board of Education to develop teaching materials and professional development focused on conservation, pollution, and climate mitigation strategies — dependent on available funding from the legislature.
Health Costs and Accessibility See Changes
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HB 2189 caps insulin co-pays at $35 per month, down from $100, as part of a broader insulin affordability program.
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HB 5000 expands assisted living eligibility to individuals needing catheter care, as long as the facility has a compliant nurse on staff. Previously, these patients were often turned away.
Opioid Response and Language Access in Courtroom
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HB 5028 ensures that opioid antagonists like Narcan will be available at state agency offices if staff are trained, while also granting legal immunity to state employees under the Good Samaritan Act for overdose interventions.
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HB 5172 enhances language access in courtrooms, mandating that litigants and witnesses in contested cases be proactively offered interpreters in at least 13 languages.
Justice System Terminology and Records Reform
Illinois is also updating legal language and clearing past criminal records:
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HB 4410 seals felony prostitution records automatically and replaces outdated terms like “juvenile prostitution” with “commercial sexual exploitation of a child.”
These reforms follow broader calls for criminal justice reform and come amid ongoing scrutiny over Illinois’ tax burdens and public pension crisis, which lawmakers have yet to meaningfully address.
Do you think these new laws will improve life for Illinois residents — or do they miss the mark on bigger issues like taxes and pensions? Share your take at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
