Peoria Standard

Starting July 1, Illinois will see the implementation of several new laws covering a range of areas from education to environmental regulations. These changes come alongside tax increases included in the state's $55.2 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget, approved by Democrats earlier this year.

Among the new taxes is an increase on sports betting, with a per-wager tax set at $0.25 for the first 20 million bets and rising to $0.50 thereafter. Companies like DraftKings and FanDuel have already adjusted their pricing in response. Additionally, short-term rental services such as Airbnb and Vrbo will now be subject to Illinois’ Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax, potentially increasing travel costs for families within the state. The wholesale tax on tobacco products will also rise from 36% to 45%.

Several noteworthy laws are also taking effect today. The Small Single-Use Plastic Act bans hotels from providing small plastic bottles of personal care products in rooms; guests must now request these items separately. This law initially applies to hotels with over 50 rooms but will extend to smaller establishments by January 1, 2026.

Public Act 103-0304 mandates that state agencies include data on non-binary or gender non-conforming individuals when reporting employment records. Two other laws address vital records: Public Act 103-0682 waives fees for birth certificate requests made by the Office of the State Guardian, while Liam’s Law (Public Act 103-0948) allows parents to obtain a birth certificate for stillbirths occurring at or after 20 weeks.

In education, public schools must begin teaching about climate change effects starting in the 2026–2027 school year, with instructional resources being developed by the State Board of Education pending legislative funding.

The Access to Affordable Insulin Act reduces out-of-pocket insulin costs from $100 to $35 and offers a discount program for post-rebate prices. Changes under the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act expand eligibility for assisted living facilities.

Opioid overdose prevention measures require state agencies to ensure opioid antagonists like Narcan are available and staff trained in their use, protecting employees under the Good Samaritan Act.

Language access improvements mandate free foreign language interpreters in courts for witnesses and low-income individuals under Public Act 103-1056.

Finally, legislation concerning sexual exploitation modifies legal terms related to prostitution and requires automatic sealing of certain eligible convictions while establishing new policies for law enforcement conduct during investigations.