
(WBBM NEWSRADIO) —New Year's Day means the start of a number of new laws in Illinois, including a bump in the state’s minimum wage.
Minimum-wage workers will get a raise next Saturday, when the state’s hourly rate increases from the current level of $11 to $12. The minimum wage in Illinois is ramping up to $15 an hour by 2025.
Meantime, gun owners and those who want to buy guns will notice changes to the Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card system beginning New Year’s Day.
The new process is intended to streamline long wait times. It encourages but does not require fingerprinting. It also allows Illinois State Police to issue a combined FOID and concealed carry license to qualified applicants.
A number of criminal justice reforms also take effect next week. This included a requirement that all police departments equip officers with body cameras by 2025.