Gov. JB Pritzker signs legislation that caps the out-of-pocket cost of prescription insulin for many people in Illinois during a ceremony Jan. 24, 2020, at the Central Counties Health Centers in Springfield. The law is one of only three that go into effect Jan. 1. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)
Minimum wage increase to $11/hour will also be in effect
By SARAH MANSUR
smansur@capitolnewsillinois.com
When a new year begins in Illinois, there typically are dozens if not hundreds of new laws going into effect.
Not this year. Like so many other things in 2020, the legislative spring session was stunted by COVID-19. Once the global pandemic reached Illinois in March, the General Assembly would meet for only four more days wrapping up the odd session during masked and socially distanced gatherings at the Capitol and Bank of Springfield Center. The fall veto session was scrapped altogether.
State lawmakers could face a record number of thorny political issues in the first half of 2021, including a battle over who should lead the Illinois House, decisions on billions of dollars in budget cuts and potential tax increases, and the drawing of new legislative district maps.
The machinations will take place under the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to restrict the Illinois General Assembly’s ability to safely meet in-person and alongside efforts to pass legislation addressing racism and governmental corruption.
“It’s just shaping up as an incredibly difficult legislative session, with lots of pitfalls and land mines,” said Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois Springfield. “This is going to be about as stressful a session of the General Assembly as you’ve ever seen. This is not going to be fun.”
When a new year begins in Illinois, there typically are dozens if not hundreds of new laws going into effect.
Not this year. Like so many other things in 2020, the legislative spring session was stunted by COVID-19. Once the global pandemic reached Illinois in March, the General Assembly would meet for only four more days wrapping up the odd session during masked and socially distanced gatherings at the Capitol and Bank of Springfield Center. The fall veto session was scrapped altogether.
As a result, only three new laws will take effect on Jan. 1. Here’s a look at them, as well as the next increase in the minimum wage that will be applied Friday:
By Sarah Mansur & Capitol News Illinois
• Dec 30, 2020
Gov. JB Pritzker signs legislation that caps the out-of-pocket cost of prescription insulin for many people in Illinois during a ceremony Jan. 24, 2020, at the Central Counties Health Centers in Springfield. The law is one of only three that go into effect Jan. 1.
Credit Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock
When a new year begins in Illinois, there typically are dozens if not hundreds of new laws going into effect.
Not this year. Like so many other things in 2020, the legislative spring session was stunted by COVID-19. Once the global pandemic reached Illinois in March, the General Assembly would meet for only four more days wrapping up the odd session during masked and socially distanced gatherings at the Capitol and Bank of Springfield Center. The fall veto session was scrapped altogether.