A slew of new laws and changes to current ones will be implemented in Illinois in 2026 and legal experts said it is crucial for residents to be aware of their legal rights and responsibilities.
Illinois lawmakers passed more than 450 laws this year.
Terri Ross, executive director of Illinois Legal Aid Online, said many of them demonstrate the state’s commitment to keeping residents safe, affecting everything from schools and businesses to renters and consumers. One law Ross described as groundbreaking amends the Illinois Human Rights Act and prohibits using artificial intelligence to discriminate in employment decisions and recruitment.
"One of the challenges that has been raised about artificial intelligence is that it's perpetuating existing biases in our society, particularly along the lines of discrimination," Ross explained. "This law is seeking to even the playing field."
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is working to establish a national AI framework to preempt conflicting state laws. Ross noted another law passed this year, the first of its kind in the nation, will require school districts to offer mental health screenings for students from third to 12th grade takes effect for the 2027-2028 school year.
Other legal changes introduce new gun safety requirements and expand existing workplace protections for nursing mothers. Other criminal justice provisions will empower police to remove squatters without lengthy eviction court battles and enhance protections for human trafficking and sexual assault victims. One law addressing coercive debt protects victims of financial exploitation, which Ross pointed out is more common than ever.
"Either, 'I didn't know about it,' or 'Somebody forced me into it because it was an abusive or exploitive relationship.' And then they can get released from the debt if they're able to show that," Ross outlined. "That's a pretty big new right for people who find themselves in that situation."
Ross added as pervasive as laws are, she noted a legal dichotomy in Illinois where conflicts exist between state law and federal executive orders. She argued it creates a complex legal landscape requiring careful navigation, as it can contribute to the erosion of trust in institutions and the legal system.
"The separation of powers in particular is at a very interesting inflection point right now in our country at a federal level," Ross observed. "I think the courts are no longer in danger of being politicized, they have been politicized. And that's problematic."
