Sampling of Illinois laws in effect as of Jan. 1st
•January 7, 2026•
Beginning January 1st, 2026, new laws take effect in Illinois, with many focusing on issues such as privacy, immigration, and education. Illinois also gains an official state bean, and of course, there are a few that impact roadways and youth employment. A Senate Bill also addresses aid in dying. Below are a few of the highlights.
House Bill 3773, introduced by lawmakers in 2023, regulates employer use of artificial intelligence. An amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act, this bill makes it a civil rights violation for employers to use AI tools that result in discrimination based on race, gender, age, or disability in hiring, promotion, discipline, termination, or other employment terms.
House Bill 1615 permits the U.S. flag to be displayed on the grounds of a courthouse. Previously, the law was that the nation’s flag could only be displayed on top of a courthouse.
House Bill 4439 has designated the soybean as the official state bean.