Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam informs constituents of new laws in 2024  

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As the Illinois legislature comes back into session Jan. 16, 2024, Indian American State Senator Ram Villivalam provided a rundown of new laws that took effect Jan. 1, and would have an impact on constituents in his District 8, and the state as a whole.

More than 300 new laws took effect on New Year’s Day this year – from one that makes Illinois the first state in the nation to prohibit the banning of books, to another that waives pet adoption fees. House Bill 2789: Prohibits state-funded libraries from banning or removing materials due to religious or partisan disapproval.

Among the new laws Villivalam sponsored in the Senate, was one that passed during the fall Veto Session introducing more water safety instructions into school curriculums for youth in preschool through sixth-grade following a recent tragedy that occurred in the 8^th District.

He also sponsored several other laws taking effect in 2024:

• House Bill 1187 – Expands the eligibility of security grants to organizations that have been threatened or attacked.
• House Bill 1342 – HB1342 makes a number of changes to improve the public transit system.
• House Bill 2450 – Requires healthcare cultural competency training for licensed medical professionals and reforms the mandated training requirements as well as the process through which these requirements are carried out.
• House Bill 3424 – Updates the Township code to give townships more flexibility and options to decide how to best serve their communities.
• House Bill 3643 – Requires all public schools, the University of Illinois Hospital, and state correctional facilities to offer a kosher and halal food option upon request. House Bill 3643 was vetoed by Governor Pritzker. A few technical changes were made to assist with implementation and a new version of this legislation, Senate Bill 457, passed the Senate. It is now awaiting a vote in the House.

Below are some of the other laws which took effect Jan. 1, 2024:

• House Bill 1541: Prohibits utility companies from discontinuing gas or electric services for residential users due to nonpayment of bills on days when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees or there is a heat watch, advisory or warning
• House Bill 2245: Requires Illinois car manufacturers to establish a vehicle theft hotline to facilitate the location of stolen vehicles via their existing global positioning systems
• House Bill 3924: Requires high schools to teach students about the dangers of fentanyl in all state-required health courses
• House Bill 1540: Prohibits the use of electronic cigarettes in public places and within 15 feet of entrances
• House Bill 3516: Allows employees up to 10 days of paid leave in any 12-month period to serve as an organ donor
• House Bill 2431: Prohibits people operating a motor vehicle from using an electronic device to participate in video conferences or access social media sites.