New laws taking effect in Illinois in 2018 include allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to sign up as organ donors, preventing businesses from removing pricing stickers before a vehicle sale, and prohibiting the use of African and Asian elephants in circuses. Other laws protect domestic violence victims' cell phone rights, require preschools to provide services instead of expulsion, and allow customers to freely post business reviews online. Over 200 new laws were passed to update policies and reflect the state's changing needs.

1. TOP 10 NEW LAWS
FOR 2018
Illinois State Senate Democratic Caucus

2. 2018 Top 10 New Illinois State Laws
January 1, 2018.
A new year with new laws
in Illinois.

3. 2018 Top 10 New Illinois State Laws
More than 200 laws will take effect
thanks to actions by Illinois
citizens and activists working
with lawmakers: improvements,
refinements and updates to reflect
changing times and needs.

4. 2018 Top 10 New Illinois State Laws
We’ve selected the most interesting
new laws to give you a quick
overview of what’s coming
your way.
Please enjoy our Top 10 New Illinois
State Laws for 2018.

5. Sticker shock or driving hazard?
Those great deals
might get you onto
the lot, but a new law
makes sure the
numbers are off the
windshield before
you drive away.
HB733
Sen. Cristina Castro

6. Gift of Life
Hundreds of Illinoisans are
waiting for life-saving organ
transplants.
A new state law gives 16-
and 17-year olds the option
of signing up to be organ
and tissue donors when they
apply for a driver’s license or
identification card.
HB1805
Sen. Mattie Hunter

7. Expelled from preschool?
Early childhood
programs will need to
find services to help
young children
resolve problems
rather than simply
kicking them out.
HB2663
Sen. Kimberly
Lightford

8. Personal security in the internet age
Intimidation, stalking, cyber-
stalking or transmission of
obscene messages could be
considered hate crimes.
HB3711
Sen. Omar Aquino
A related measure expands
cyberstalking penalties to
cover tracking software and
threats.
HB3251
Sen. Tom Cullerton

9. Happy Obama Day
August 4 is our 44th
President’s birthday.
It’s also now Barack
Obama Day in Illinois
to honor the
Chicagoan’s historic
election and two terms
in the White House.
SB55
Sen. Emil Jones, III

10. A call for empowerment
Domestic violence victims
won’t have to pay to break
cell phone contracts and
can keep their numbers
when they leave their
abusers. A new law lets
them keep their number
and save the related costs
for a new account.
SB57
Sen. Steve Stadelman

11. Know what you’re paying for
Women often end up
paying more than men
for dry cleaning, haircuts
and other services. A
new state law requires
price lists for standard
services so customers
can make more informed
decisions.
SB298
Sen. Melinda Bush

12. Divorce goes to the dogs
When pets are
considered marital
assets, who gets
custody can become
part of the
proceedings.
SB1261
Sen. Linda Holmes

13. Ending elephant abuse in circuses
Confinement and brutal
training practices mean
elephants are often
abused while in circuses
or traveling animal acts.
African and Asian
elephants can no longer
be used in these settings
in Illinois.
SB1342
Sen. Linda Holmes

14. No stars? No problem.
Great food. Terrible
service. Probably
wouldn’t go there again.
Some businesses don’t
want you leaving negative
feedback on apps like
Yelp. Now customers
have the right to post
reviews whether positive
or negative.
SB1898
Sen. Steve Stadelman

15. HONORABLE MENTIONS:
SB1586 Allows DNR to establish rules for the public to scatter
ashes in a state park – Sen. Bill Cunningham
SB1761 Knowledge of sexual orientation alone cannot be
considered a mitigating factor and does not constitute
serious provocation in murder cases – Sen. Daniel Biss
SB1884 Provides that research facilities shall make reasonable
efforts for adoption of dogs or cats previously used in
research – Sen. Linda Holmes

16. HONORABLE MENTIONS:
HB1785 Allows individuals to change their gender designation
on their birth certificate without undergoing gender
transition – Sen. Toi Hutchinson
HB2369 Requires public and charter schools to provide
reasonable breastfeeding accommodations for
students – Sen. Mattie Hunter
SB641 Allows county animal control agencies to use funds
for Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return programs for feral
cats – Sen. Linda Holmes

17. TOP 10 NEW LAWS
FOR 2018
See a complete list of
new laws here: TOP-10-2018
© Illinois State Senate Democratic Caucus
www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com