SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) — Illinois is set to have several new laws on the books starting in 2024 affecting parents and guardians throughout the state.
One of the measures taking effect in 2024 is House Bill 1155, which allows for lawsuits against adults who provide alcohol or illegal drugs to a minor at any location, rather than only non-residential premises, if that minor then injures or kills anyone away from that location.
Senate Bill 1999 requires hospitals to turn over necessary paperwork to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services regarding a relinquished newborn.
During a Senate debate earlier this year, state Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, discussed Senate Bill 2034, or The Child Bereavement Act, which provides more paid time off for parents.
“This legislation attempts to offer support to grieving families by allowing them the proper time to mourn their loss,” Villa said. “Senate Bill 2034 creates the Zachary’s Parent Protection Act, also known as the Child Extended Bereavement Leave Act.”
State Sen. Maurice West, D-Rockford, also spoke on the measure and said no parent should be at risk of losing their job after losing a child.
“I have connected with parents after losing a child and, in turn, losing their job because their performance levels weren’t up to par because they were still grieving,” West said. “No parent should have the opportunity to bury a child, so we should take further precautions and extend further resources to the parents who do.”
A new law for Will County is is House Bill 780 which establishes a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Pilot Program.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the pilot program into law in August. The program will run from Jan. 1, 2024, through Jan. 1, 2027.
“As governor, I’ve made it my mission to help make Illinois the best state in the nation to raise a family, and that means supporting parents, guardians or grandparents and our youngest Illinoisans,” said Pritzker. “Through this pilot program in Will County, we will connect grandparents raising grandchildren to relevant resources and services provided by state agencies while creating a public awareness campaign to keep all Illinois grandparents in the know.”
By ANDREW HENSEL for the Illinois Radio Network