What changed
2026-08-04 20:47 UTC → 2026-08-04 22:30 UTC ·
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In June 2026 Governor saw Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed sign the Digital Asset Privilege Tax Act, imposing a 0.2 % levy on crypto‑exchange, transfer and custody services that earn at least $100 000 in Illinois, earning ≥$100 k, projected to raise $60 million annually. Industry groups denounced it as the nation’s most punitive crypto tax annually, and are exploring legal challenges. The same month the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act took effect, barring the Act, which bars out‑of‑state sharing of abortion‑related and gender‑dysphoria information with out‑of‑state entities and requiring data without patient consent for any disclosure. consent. Consumer‑protection legislation was expanded with measures followed, including the Buy‑Now‑Pay‑Later Loan Consumer Protection Act, which obliges BNPL providers to register, disclose costs and assess repayment ability, Act (registration, cost disclosure, ability‑to‑repay checks) and the Junk Fee Ban Act, which prohibits advertising prices Act (prohibiting price ads that omit mandatory fees. On July 5 the statewide tenant‑protection law (HB 3564) fees). In early July, HB 3564 capped application tenant‑application fees at $50 and required all lease fees to appear on the first page. The Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act (SB 315) introduced mandatory transparency frameworks, page, while SB 315 imposed AI‑firm transparency, 72‑hour incident reporting, reporting and annual third‑party safety audits for AI firms companies with revenue over $500 million, with civil penalties up to $3 million. A July 14 package added health‑related measures—including minors’ access to birth‑control pills, a ban on banned eleven cosmetic chemicals, and expanded low‑income energy assistance with tiered discounts of 5 %‑84 % automatically enrolled for qualifying households. Utility‑cost reforms (HB 4456, HB 5524) broadened discount programs and required mandated clearer billing, while a separate discussion noted billing; the unfinished POWER Act on data‑center energy. In energy remained pending. August the governor signed legislation included a statewide school‑cellphone ban (SB 2427) and new insurance‑rate‑hike controls requiring 60‑day notice for premium increases over 10 % and granting giving regulators authority to block excessive hikes, effective July 1 2027. On 4 August, Pritzker signed additional bills: a cash‑acceptance law obligating most retailers to take cash for in‑person purchases under $500 (with exemptions for self‑checkout, overnight sales, out‑of‑cash situations, membership‑only venues and online sales) and imposing fines for violations; a jury‑duty pay law mandating full regular wages for employees serving on juries, except firms with ≤25 workers; a requirement for schools to provide both male and female CPR training mannequins; and a mandate for higher‑education institutions to report annually on faculty‑taught credit hours beginning in 2028.