When the clock hits midnight on January 1, 2026, Illinois is rolling out a big batch of new laws, touching everything from AI in hiring to grocery taxes, workplace rules, prescriptions, and even lightbulbs. No long breakdowns here… just the quick list so you know what’s coming.

• AI in Employment – Employers must follow new rules on AI use in hiring and promotions, especially around discrimination and disclosures.
• Grocery Tax Changes – The state’s 1% grocery tax disappears, but many local governments adopted their own 1% version starting Jan. 1. (Rockford is one of those "local governments").
• Paid Nursing Breaks – Nursing mothers must be paid for break time spent expressing milk for up to one year after childbirth.
• Major Corporate Tax Shifts – New combined reporting rules, GILTI deduction changes, and interest expense adjustments hit multistate companies.
• Prescription Cost Caps – New protections for inhalers, EpiPens, and certain brand-name drugs during shortages.
• Employment Agreement Restrictions – Limits on clauses involving venue, statutes of limitation, and more.
• Worker Safety Standards – Illinois locks in safety levels, even if federal standards weaken.
• Human Rights Act Updates – New penalties and discretionary fact-finding conferences.
• Blood/Organ Donation Leave – Now includes part-time employees.
• CFL Lightbulb Ban – No more screw-base or bayonet-base CFL bulbs.
• Hotel Toiletry Rules – Small hotels now included in the plastic toiletry bottle ban.
• Dementia Screening Requirement – Mandatory for assisted living admissions.
• Utilities & JULIE Changes – New electronic positive response requirements.
• Veteran Pet Adoption Fees – Waivers now optional for shelters.
• New Receivership Framework – Overhaul of court-appointed receiver laws.
• Funeral Honors Detail Leave – New leave protections for qualifying veterans.

Visit the Illinois General Assembly website, https://www.ilga.gov/

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