Hundreds of new laws will take effect in Illinois at the start of the new year, but there are some you might want to pay special attention to.

The new laws cover everything from insurance coverage in the state to women’s healthcare coverage to AI rules to missing persons cases to squatters rights to even a new state bean.

Here are 26 noteworthy laws taking effect in 2026.

Health and Wellness

HB 3248: Requires insurance cover medically-necessary laser hair removal for gender-affirming care.

HB 3489: Allows pharmacists to dispense contraceptives, including emergency contraceptives and requires Medicaid coverage.

HB 4180: Insurance coverage required for molecular breast imaging or breast MRI’s when medically necessary.

SB 0073: Requires baby food manufacturers to test monthly for heavy metals, including arsenic and lead.

SB 0727: Requires Illinois to adopt federal PFAs drinking-water standards and mandate sampling for 1,4-Dioxane in water supplies.

SB 0773: Requires group insurance plans to cover IVF services for most women, and annual menopause visits for women over the age of 45.

SB 2215: IDPH must provide fertility-assessment information to women aged 25 and older.

SB 2672: Requires insurance companies to cover brand-name drugs when generics are unavailable due to shortages.

Worker Rights and Employment

HB 3773: Prohibits discriminatory use of AI in employment.

SB 0212: Will require employers to provide paid breaks for nursing mothers to pump breast milk.

Education

HB 3000: Requires school districts serving students grade 6 and up to have the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), the Crisis Text Line and the Safe2Help Illinois helpline on all employee IDs.

HB 3039: Allows 7^th and 8^th graders to enroll in high school-level courses for credit.

SB 1920: Directs the Illinois State Board of Education to develop statewide guidance on AI use in schools, and to compile educational materials about the benefits of American Sign Language.

Immigration

HB 3247: Guarantees public education access to all students regardless of immigration status.

Criminal Justice

HB 1302: Strengthens procedures and expands rights for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

HB 2548: Bans the sale of self-administered sexual assault evidence-collection kits.

SB 0008: Strengthens requirements for firearms to be placed in secured, locked containers when they are located in areas where children could access them. The bill also requires gun owners to report a firearm stolen within 48 hours instead of 72.

SB 0024: Bans waiting-period requirements before filing a missing-person report.

SB 1563: The measure will allow police more authority to remove squatters from properties they have no legal title to. Squatters will in most cases be treated as trespassers, making it possible for police to remove them immediately upon receiving a complaint

Transportation

HB 2751: Prohibits the sale of cars by car dealers in locations other than their dealership.

SB 1507: Requires UIC to conduct a safety review of traffic on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, including crash data and potential AI camera implementation.

SB 1883: Prohibits obstructing vehicle-registration plates with tape or other devices.

Various Laws

HB 1615: Allows courthouses to display the U.S. flag on the grounds rather than exclusively on the roof.

HB 4439: Designates the soybean as the official state bean of Illinois.

SB 0618: This bipartisan law makes a host of changes, including making cocktails-to-go permanent in the state. The bill will also allow more Illinois distilleries to self-distribute their products and craft breweries to offer rewards and loyalty programs like mug clubs for customers.

SB 1950: Allows for physician-assisted death, making Illinois the first Midwest state to legalize "medial aid in dying." The law won’t take effect until later in 2026 to allow time for health officials to put processes and protocols in place.