In 2023, legislators passed hundreds of laws that affect many areas of Illinoisans’ lives. Some of the laws are good, some are bad, and some are truly ugly.
As of January 1, Illinoisans will no longer have to renew gaming licenses every year. Through HB 3677, people can obtain a three-year fishing/hunting/trapping license. Seniors aged 65+ and veterans can obtain a three-year license for half-price.
SB 1438 requires state agencies to collaborate on utility projects to ensure that multiple utility dig sites happen all at once along highways and other roads. Not only are there financial benefits to this new law, but disruptions for motorists are minimized.
Families with children who participate in FFA, 4-H, and other work-based learning activities will benefit from HB 3814, which allows students to participate in off-campus learning activities during school hours without being considered “absent” from school.
The Legislature passed a few laws this year that help our first responders. SB 1963 creates a volunteer emergency worker tax credit of $500 for those who serve as first responders on a voluntary basis, and SB 1543 creates a Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator to provide metal health support and education for law enforcement.
Lawmakers also took action in 2023 to extend the statute of limitations for theft and fraud prosecutions connected to COVID-19 relief programs. Through HB 3304, prosecutors have an additional 10 years to bring cases against individuals accused of defrauding pandemic-era programs, including those involving unemployment benefits. Due to a complete lack of oversight by Pritzker-led agencies, $3.2 billion was issued in improper or fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims, $2.04 billion in unemployment benefit claims, and another $3.42 million in Business Interruption Grants.
Three bills were passed in 2023 that benefit our veterans. HB 2500 allows animal shelters to waive adoption fees for a dog or cat if the individual adoption has a veteran ID. SB 1376 requires referring agencies to consider military status of any homeless person when determining eligibility for state or federal housing/rental assistance, and SB 2005 requires housing authorities to develop and implement policies that grant housing preferences to homeless veterans.
Sadly, there are several bad bills that passed in 2023. All have the potential to create a host of problems. SB 1462 allows convicted felons to work in a variety of roles at casinos, including housekeeping and baggage handling, and HB 3751 allows non-citizens who are legally authorized to work in the United States to become police officers.
HB 2789 strips all Illinois libraries of local control and removes librarians’ ability to keep age-inappropriate books out of the hands of youngsters, and through SB 2123, 16-year-olds can now “pre-register” to vote, with application held until the minor reaches legal voting age.
The Environmental lobby scored a big win with the passage of SB 40, which will require all new single-family homes and new multi-unit residential buildings that provide parking to install electric vehicle charging stations. Additionally, those who support the death penalty for the most heinous of crimes were dealt a blow through HB 3762, which removes all references to the death penalty from the state statutes.
While many of these bad bills can also be categorized as “ugly,” the truly ugly in 2023, comes from what the Legislature could have done, but chose not to.
In 2023 we also saw a record number of high profile guilty verdicts in corruption and racketeering federal lawsuits involving political insiders, but no action whatsoever was taken on meaningful ethics reform. Legislators also allowed high-end prison sentences for repeat felony gun offenders to fall off the books, and they also allowed a successful tax credit scholarship program that helped low-income kids get a better education expire.
While strengthened penalties for repeat felony gun criminals were allowed to expire, because of the so-called “assault weapons” ban, lawful gun owners are now required to jump through all kinds of hoops to register hundreds of varieties of firearms and magazines with the State Police.
In 2024 I will continue to push back against any and all tax hikes and nonsensical legislation that makes our communities less safe, and will be vocal with my advocacy of legislation that lowers taxes, protects Constitutional rights, and holds criminals accountable. I wish you all a very Happy New Year, and all the best as we enter 2024.
