You’ve probably seen some headlines. Guns! Minimum wage! Paid leave! Book bans!

With a large number of new laws set to take effect in Illinois in 2024 (nailing down the exact number has proven elusive, but it’s more than 300), there’s a lot to unpack for the average Illinoisan.

It’s not feasible for every citizen to examine and understand the long-winded legal jargon and policy nuances that make up our laws — that’s why we elect local experts to represent us.

But it’s good to get a general sense of what’s changing and how it may impact your life. We’ll try to help you do that by providing details on some of the more impactful new laws — plus additional resources for those keen to dig deeper.

☑️ Book ban ban: Public libraries can lose state funding if they ban books and other materials for “partisan or doctrinal” reasons.

☑️ Minimum wage increase: The minimum wage will increase to $14 per hour ($8.40 per hour for tipped workers) and $12 per hour for youths under 18 working part-time.

☑️ Indoor vaping: Vaping is banned in most indoor public places under an expansion of the Smoke Free Illinois Act.

☑️ EV charging: Newly built homes and buildings must feature an EV electrical outlet in a parking space for each residential unit.

☑️ Paid leave: New legislation ensures all employees will be entitled to one hour of paid time off for every 40 hours worked.

☑️ Harm reduction: Fentanyl test strips can now be sold over the counter and distributed by county health departments.

☑️ Carjackings: Automakers must establish a vehicle theft hotline to facilitate the location of stolen vehicles via GPS systems.

☑️ The full list: A one-sentence description of every new bill from the 103rd General Assembly. Super helpful and easy to digest.

☑️ The full report: A 35-page summary with details on all laws going into effect as of 12/11 from the Illinois Municipal League.

☑️ Chicago Tribune rundown: One of the better articles out there summarizing the key legislation taking effect in 2024.

☑️ NBC Chicago overview: Another useful overview plus a video clip from a newscast on the topic.

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*️⃣ The clock is ticking: With Chicago area public transit agencies struggling in the wake of the pandemic, two state legislators explain the importance of righting the ship quickly in a Sun-Times op-ed.

🔒 Working together: Kane County officials are working with local communities and law enforcement to offer guidance in preparing for and managing asylum seekers who may arrive in the area.

🔒 Cycling forward: The Daily Herald breaks down how local bike and pedestrian initiatives fared in 2023, which includes a high bike-friendliness rating despite rising fatalities.

☑️ A slight delay: Geneva is now replacing lead line water services on Route 25, which will extend the street closure at North Bennett Street until mid-January.

🔒 Boosting well-being: The Geneva Mental Health Board awarded $200K in grants to 15 local nonprofit agencies that offer services and support for mental health and addiction issues.

☑️ TreeCycling: The Geneva Park District has partnered with a local church to repurpose unsold Christmas trees sustainably — keeping them out of landfills.

☑️ Speaking of trees: Christmas tree pickup for all of St. Charles starts today on your regular refuse day, with no sticker required through next week. The holiday light recycling program runs until 1/15, too.

🔒 Athletic accolades: City Council recently honored Geneva resident Matthew Wechter after he won the men’s 25-meter backstroke in the 2023 Special Olympics State Summer Games.

🔒 Heck of a run: The owner of Olmstead’s TV — the oldest continuously operated business in Batavia — is closing up shop after 77 years.

🔒 Season of giving: To celebrate its 35th anniversary, The Filling Station spearheaded a charity campaign that generated more than $4K in donations from local organizations.

☑️ Grab a table: We have confirmed that Thorabella’s — a new Italian restaurant on Wilson Street in downtown Batavia — is now open and taking reservations for dinner.

Not a lot of activity this week — seems that many places are taking a well-deserved post-holiday breather. EvenFlow seems to be the only place with mid-week live music.

✔️ Infunktious Duo: Flagship on the Fox | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Band info

✔️ Junkyard Groove: Flagship on the Fox | St. Charles | 5-8PM | Band info

✔️ PBJ: EvenFlow | Geneva | 7:30PM | Event info

☑️ Batavia: Agenda for tomorrow’s City Council meeting includes a proposal for a firm to perform an environmental investigation on Webster Street, where the city is exploring the construction of a new community food pantry and clothes closet facility.

☑️ Geneva: The next City Council meeting will be 1/16.

☑️ St. Charles: Tomorrow’s City Council meeting was cancelled.

🎟️ 11AM | January Jamboree: Indulge in winter delights at St. Charles’ Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, where the youngsters can dive into a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, games and crafts.

🌤️ Today: High 35F | Low 24F | Nice New Years Day

🌤️ Tuesday: High 39F | Low 26F | Identical to last Tuesday

🌥️ Wednesday: High 34F | Low 22F | Seasonally pleasant

☀️ Thursday: High 34F | Low 23F | Sun!!!

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