Governor Pritzker Signs 124 New Laws Impacting Chicago Pensions, Public Safety, and Environment

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has enacted 124 new laws affecting various sectors, including public safety, infrastructure, mental health, and environmental policies. Among these, House Bill 3657 modifies pension benefits for Chicago police and firefighters in Tier 2, though city officials express concerns over funding gaps, especially with a projected billion-dollar deficit next year. Senate Bill 191 mandates that all new school buses purchased after July 2031 be equipped with lap and shoulder seat belts to enhance student safety. Additionally, House Bill 1806 bans licensed mental health practitioners from deploying artificial intelligence for independent therapeutic decisions, sparking debate over innovation and access to care—particularly impacting around 1,500 Illinois residents. Senate Bill 213 introduces annual transparency requirements for state agencies' advertising expenses. Environmental legislation includes a ban on carbon sequestration in the Mahomet Aquifer starting January 1, alongside the formation of the Mahomet Aquifer Advisory Study Commission via Senate Bill 1723. Furthermore, Senate Bill 1793 permits the scattering of cremated remains in Illinois rivers under a...