SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — More than 250 new Illinois laws will take effect when the clock strikes midnight, including major changes for public safety and healthcare.
One of the most important bills passed and signed into law this year creates police hiring reforms in honor of Sonya Massey.
Illinois police departments will no longer be able to make final offers of employment for probationary or law enforcement officers unless they review all past employment records. That includes background investigation materials, duty-related physical and psychological exams, work performance records, arrests, convictions and any records of criminal, civil, or administrative investigations of conduct.
"I miss my mom every single day, like every day," said Malachi Hill Massey. "It hurts that she's not here with me, but I am very happy that we can also have a bill in her name and her name can live on forever."
The law also expands the creation of sheriff's merit boards and commissions for counties with populations of at least 75,000. Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) worked with the Massey Commission and statewide law enforcement leaders to draft the language and ensure that what happened to Sonya never happens again.
"In my 25 years of elected office, this is the least political thing I have ever done," Turner said. "But it is the most important thing I have ever done."
Another law will protect the Mahomet Aquifer from carbon capture and sequestration after advocates raised concerns over the possibility of pipes leaking carbon dioxide.Â
The Mahomet Aquifer is the sole source of water for roughly 800,000 people in Central Illinois. Local Democrats and Republicans made the protection plan a top priority for the spring session.
"The point is we shouldn't have any risk," said Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). "There's no acceptable risk because this is the sole source. There is no other alternative source where you just turn on a switch and you get water from somewhere else. You can't."
Illinois will also require law enforcement to submit quarterly reports on the number of homicides and violent crimes in their communities. A new law calls on the Illinois State Police to gather data on the number of homicides and firearm-related assaults for the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Police departments will also be required to document when the crimes occurred and the status of each case.
A separate law requires guns to be put in a locked container if there are children or at-risk people nearby. Gun owners will be fined up to $1,000 if a child or a prohibited person gains access to a gun that is not safely stored. The fine could increase to $10,000 if the person kills someone with that firearm.
"Illinois has built a framework based on two simple truths — education and awareness matters and regulating access to firearms will save lives," said Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia). "Senate Bill 8 builds on this framework. It strengthens safe storage firearm requirements and tackles one of the fastest growing threats, which is stolen firearms."
Gun owners will not face any fines if their firearm is stolen by an intruder, but owners must report the crime within 48 hours. Republicans said the law will be found unconstitutional.
"I wish we had more opportunity to talk this through. This is going to be challenged in court," said Rep. CD Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville). "This is going to be another case that the Attorney General is going to have to handle case after case after case. You're trying to do something that makes people safer, but you're actually infringing on their rights."
Finally, Illinois will stop pharmacy benefit managers from spreading pricing. This is a practice where PBMs charge Medicaid more money than was paid for drugs and receive a cut of the profit. The legislation also allows Illinois to have full access to PBM records so the state can follow the money and prevent further exploitation.
"We can finally now peel back the curtain and find out what's been happening in the drug distribution chain and the role that PBMs play," said Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet).
The PBM reform law streamlines the Critical Access Pharmacy Program to assist pharmacies in rural and underserved communities. Lawmakers earmarked $25 million in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to create a new grant program lifting up independent pharmacies as well.
You can find more WAND stories on the new Illinois laws by clicking here.Â
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