SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - A new Illinois law changing how the state approaches missing persons investigations will go into effect Jan. 1. 

Police departments will no longer need to observe a waiting period before taking a missing persons report under the new law. 

Law enforcement will also be required to utilize databases, like the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, when investigating a missing person's case. 

The law's sponsor said these changes will help bring families the peace they deserve. 

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