Hundreds of new laws will take effect in Illinois in 2026, but some could impact you more than others.
There will be changes to insurance coverage in the state, women’s healthcare coverage, AI rules, missing persons cases, education and more.
Here’s what you should you know:
Full list of new laws taking effect in 2026
A full list of 2026 laws in Illinois can be found here.
New laws to know about
For those who don’t want to sift through the full list, there are several new laws that will impact many in Illinois. Here are some of the more noteworthy ones:
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 0073: Requires baby food manufacturers to test monthly for heavy metals, including arsenic and lead.
SB 0212: Will require employers to provide paid breaks for nursing mothers to pump breast milk.
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 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.
HB 1302: Strengthens procedures and expands rights for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
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 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.
HB 1615: Allows courthouses to display the U.S. flag on the grounds rather than exclusively on the roof.
SB 1883: Prohibits obstructing vehicle-registration plates with tape or other devices.
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.
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.
SB 2215: IDPH must provide fertility-assessment information to women aged 25 and older.
HB 2548: Bans the sale of self-administered sexual assault evidence-collection kits.
SB 2672: Requires insurance companies to cover brand-name drugs when generics are unavailable due to shortages.
HB 2751: Prohibits the sale of cars by car dealers in locations other than their dealership.
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 7th and 8th graders to enroll in high school-level courses for credit.
HB 3247: Guarantees public education access to all students regardless of immigration status.
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 3773: Prohibits discriminatory use of AI in employment.
HB 4180: Insurance coverage required for molecular breast imaging or breast MRI’s when medically necessary.
HB 4439: Designates the soybean as the official state bean of Illinois.
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December 30, 2025 at 08:24AM
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