Just days away from the new calendar year, Illinois is preparing for several new laws to take effect.
Nearly 300 new Illinois laws will take effect at the start of the 2025 calendar year. Here’s a closer look at three.
PAY TRANSPARENCY IN JOB LISTINGS
Starting on New Year’s Day, most employers in Illinois will have to disclose their pay scale and benefits in job postings.
The new law will require all Illinois employers with 15 or more employees to include information about their pay scale and benefits, both for internal and external job postings. This will also apply to remote work positions with operations based in Illinois.
Companies have two weeks from the start of the year to add salary and benefit information to job postings or could be fined up to $500 for violations.
The law comes in a broader effort for the state to address pay inequality and promote stronger transparency in hiring practices.
MEDICAL INSURANCE REFORMS
Starting on New Year’s Day, the Illinois Health Care Protection Act takes effect, which includes health insurance reforms that aim to improve accessibility and eliminate barriers to healthcare.
The new law will ban "step therapy," a process that previously required patients to try and fail with lower-cost drug treatments before accessing more expensive care. The law also prohibits insurers from denying claims or persuading patients to choose cheaper alternatives that may not meet minimum standards established by the Affordable Care Act.
The law will also address "ghost networks" by providing by requiring insurers to maintain accurate, up-to-date directories of in-network providers.
HOTEL BANS FOR SINGLE-USE SHAMPOO BOTTLES
Starting on July 1, 2025, Illinois hotels will be banned from offering single-use plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and other personal care products in guest rooms and public restrooms.
The upcoming law aims to reduce plastic waste by eliminating small plastic bottles, which are often used only once before being discarded. It will first apply to hotels with 50 or more guest rooms next year, then will apply to all hotels by 2026.
Hotels will still be allowed to offer some plastic bottles to guests upon request, though they could face up to $500 for violations if they fail to comply with the law’s general restrictions.
