Governor JB Pritzker signed changes to Illinois’ liquor laws on December 12, making cocktails-to-go a permanent fixture and creating new pathways for craft distilleries to grow their businesses. Public Act 104-0451, which originated as Senate Bill 618, is one of the most significant updates to the Illinois Liquor Control Act […]
A new law requiring all public libraries in Illinois to maintain supplies of opioid overdose reversal medications takes effect January 1, 2026. Public Act 104-0056, signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker on August 1, 2025, amends the Illinois Local Library Act to mandate that all libraries open to the […]
by Beth Hundsdorfer, Capitol News Illinois December 29, 2025 Article Summary U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement rejected a stay filed on behalf Ismael Ayuzo Sandoval. Now, he faces return to Mexico where he fears violence from drug traffickers. ICE moved Ayuzo to Greene County Jail in Springfield, Missouri, last week to […]
Illinois is set to implement the Public Official Safety and Privacy Act (Public Act 104-0443) on January 1, 2026. The law establishes protections for public officials by restricting the public disclosure of their personal information, including home addresses, phone numbers, and children’s identities, and criminalizing the malicious release of such data, a […]
Public Act 104-0267, signed by Governor JB Pritzker on August 15, 2025, and taking effect January 1, 2026, amends the Illinois School Code to clarify and broaden the circumstances under which middle school students can enroll in high school-level courses for credit toward graduation requirements. The legislation modifies Section 27-22.10 […]
Beginning January 1, 2026, employers will be required to compensate nursing mothers during breaks taken to express breast milk. Under the amended statute, Illinois employers with more than five employees must provide reasonable paid break time to employees who need to express breast milk for their nursing infant child, each […]
by Tom O’Connor and Maggie Dougherty, Capitol News Illinois December 22, 2025 Article Summary Past recipients of Illinois’ Local Food Infrastructure Grant say the investment has had ripple effects, allowing them to share knowledge and equipment with other local food producers. About $4 million will be available for farms and […]
by Jerry Nowicki, Capitol News Illinois December 19, 2025 Article Summary A new report by state regulators projects energy shortfalls will begin in northern Illinois by 2029 and the rest of the state by 2031 if lawmakers and grid operators don’t act. The shortages would continue to drive up energy […]
Illinois pharmacists will soon have expanded authority to assess patients and dispense all types of contraceptives, including emergency contraception, without requiring a traditional doctor’s prescription under a new law set to take effect January 1, 2026. The legislation amends the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act to formally include contraceptive assessment and […]
by Maggie Dougherty, Capitol News Illinois December 18, 2025 Article Summary The Illinois Accountability Commission held its first public meeting Thursday to review and document misconduct of federal immigration agents in Chicago. The commission heard testimony from medical experts and witnesses detailing the health and psychological impacts of chemical weapons […]
