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A new year can bring many things: opportunities, life lessons, and even laws. For Illinois residents, about 320 laws went into effect on Monday, January 1, kicking off the 2024 calendar year with plenty of additions for various purposes.

Here's an overview of a few of those new laws:

• Indoor vaping is banned.
• Libraries that restrict books (based on race, background, views, sex, etc..) are not eligible for state funds.
• Employers are required to offer paid time off. (Up to 40 hours of paid leave for full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees)
• Hanging Air Freshers in vehicles can't be the sole reason for Police to pull a driver over anymore.
• A new grocery initiative program will receive $20 million to fund grants and financial aid to grocery stores opening or operating in food deserts (a food desert is an area that lacks grocery stores nearby, fresh food, etc).
• When temperatures exceed 90 degrees or a heat advisory is in effect, gas or electric services can't be turned off due to non-payment of bills.

This Capitol News Illinois article goes further into details about the major laws.