As 2019 comes to a close and we prepare for a new year, several notable laws take effect January 1 that Illinois residents may want to know about. The new laws kicking off 2020 cover everything from recreational cannabis sales, to transportation safety and increased traffic penalties.

The Attorney General’s office has released its annual Safe Shopping Guide highlighting hazardous toys, children’s products and household items that have been recalled during the past year to help Illinois families ensure a safe holiday shopping season.

To help ensure residents in Will County are warm during the cold winter months, State Senator Sue Rezin is teaming up with area legislators to launch a winter clothing drive.

WATCH: A quick video message from Sen. Rezin.

In light of the recent health issues related to electronic cigarettes, State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) has filed legislation aimed at reducing underage individuals’ access to vapor products.

Legislation providing heightened protections for those with pre-existing conditions has failed to garner the 3/5 majority needed to override the Governor’s veto. State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) called for the motion Wednesday, Oct. 30, during the fall Veto Session.

In the wake of ongoing federal investigations regarding misconduct inside state and local governments, State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) joined several Illinois lawmakers today in Springfield to call for ethics reform legislation.

Nearly 50 high school students from across the 38th Senate District participated in a unique, hands-on experience in public policy, state government, and leadership Oct. 24 during State Senator Sue Rezin’s annual Youth Advisory Council.

As Veterans Day approaches, and we look for ways to honor Illinois veterans and tell their incredible stories, State Sen. Sue Rezin is asking constituents to submit a photo and tribute to a loved one who has served in the United States Armed Forces to be displayed on the Veterans Day “Wall of Honor” in the Illinois State Capitol Nov. 4-15.

Stricter reporting and investigative requirements will now be required by law in situations where an infant has died suddenly and unexpectedly thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and State Representative Thomas Bennett (R-Pontiac).

More than 200 people were in attendance for a road naming ceremony in honor of the eight Galetti brothers of Seatonville who all served in the U.S. military. State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and State Representative Lance Yednock (D-Ottawa) hosted the event Thursday, July 25 at the Seatonville Fire Department to officially name a section of Route 6 as the “Galetti Brothers Memorial Highway.”

On July 15, Gov. J.B. Pritzker asked Illinois residents to assess local flooding damage and report it to their county’s emergency management agencies. The information will be used to assess whether the state receives Federal Recovery Assistance.

Not only will a new fiscal year begin on July 1, but many news laws will also take effect starting Monday. From increasing the age to purchase tobacco products to changing what is considered a full day of school, these new laws cover a wide range of topics.

Senate Republicans are disappointed in a recent United State Supreme Court ruling on political gerrymandering but continue to call on the Illinois Legislature to pass a measure (SJRCA 4) that would give the people of Illinois the opportunity to amend the Illinois Constitution and create a new, non-partisan system for drawing maps. 

Illinois is now the 11th state to legalize the recreational use and sale of cannabis. The new law, which was signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday, sets in place regulations for businesses, possession limits for consumers, tax rates, and a process for expungement of records.

“Taking away all remaining rights for the unborn is not something we should be celebrating. To say I am disappointed is an understatement. This law is extreme and unsettling. Today is a sad day in Illinois.”

“If there is a line, we’ve definitely crossed it here in Illinois with this proposal. This bill goes way beyond just keeping abortions legal in Illinois and way beyond what Roe v. Wade allowed. This legislation not only allows for late-term, third trimester abortions of any kind, but it also allows for partial birth abortions and sex-selective abortions, all of which human dignity should tell us is just plain wrong.”

More will be done to combat human trafficking in Illinois if Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs legislation sponsored by State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris). Senate Bill 1890 would require employee training for law enforcement offices and hotel employees, and would increase the statute of limitations giving survivors more time to seek justice.

State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) joined business and labor communities Wednesday, May 22 in Springfield during a press conference to call on the Governor and lawmakers to pass legislation that would create tax incentives for the state's data center industry, bring high-paying trade labor union jobs to Illinois, and create greater economic opportunities and additional revenue streams for Illinois’ communities.

$544 per student. That’s how much Illinois school districts spend on administrative costs every year. And that number keeps rising year after year. The national average? $266 per student. That means that Illinois spends more than double what other states pay for administration. In fact, Illinois spends more than any other state in the country on administration annually.

Voice your opposition to House Bill 2495/Senate Bill 1942 and HB 2467/SB 1594, which would allow for late-term abortions up to the moment of birth and would allow a minor to undergo an abortion procedure without parental notification. By signing this petition you are urging lawmakers to put a halt to these extreme measures and agreeing to receive legislative updates on this topic.

“I’ve said all along, my main concern with the graduated income tax proposal is the lack of protections in place to ensure that the rates won’t affect the middle class. When the government needs more money, which it will, eventually the middle class will be the ones footing the bill. In fact, the proposed graduated rates have already changed from what the Governor proposed a few weeks ago.”

In an effort to encourage dialogue about agricultural issues between State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) and leaders in the ag community, Rezin hosted an Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting on Monday, April 29 in Morris at the Grundy County Farm Bureau.

Nine year old Evan Simms of South Wilmington said he wants to encourage more people to become living organ donors when he testified in front of the Senate Revenue Committee last month on legislation (Senate Bill 68) sponsored by State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris). That bill passed the full Senate on Thursday, April 11.

Unsafe sleep environments are often a large contributor to infant deaths labeled as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) said State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris), who is chief sponsor of legislation that puts stricter requirements in place following an investigation where a child died suddenly and unexpectedly. Senate Bill 1568 passed the Senate on Wednesday, April 10.