Three new laws championed by state Sen. Mike Porfirio regarding first responders and teachers are among hundreds of new laws that will go into effect at the start of the new year.
One law, called the Drew Price Act, aims to increase rooftop safety for firefighters.
“While there are many unexpected obstacles first responders face on the job, we as legislators have a duty to eliminate as many of those variables as possible,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “This law enables firefighters to properly anticipate any hazards or drops they may face when called to execute a save.”
The law is named for a Chicago firefighter who tragically fell through a light shaft while putting out a fire on the roof of a restaurant and lost his life. First responders often face difficulty traveling on roofs, especially when there is low visibility from smoke. The law requires all new buildings with a light shaft or opening to have a guardrail or parapet installed to limit the risk of falling through.
The law also includes methods to better prepare firefighters for the risks they may face by requiring municipalities to conduct surveys identifying safety risks on buildings in their jurisdiction. The surveys will be shared with fire departments, allowing first responders to anticipate obstacles before arriving on the scene of a rescue.
A second law addresses the risk of suicide among first responders.
“Supporting our first responders is a comprehensive effort,” said Porfirio. “We must work to keep them safe while on duty, while providing paths for them to improve mental health and address trauma off-duty.”
According to a 2018 report by the Ruderman Family Foundation, first responders are more likely to die from suicide than they are on duty. Porfirio’s law reinstates the First Responders Suicide Task Force to study methods to reduce the risk of suicide among first responders. Additionally, it will add new members to the task force specifically from organizations that provide mental health support for first responders and advocate on behalf of 911 dispatchers. The force will be made up of representatives from police and fire departments, mental health specialists and several members of the General Assembly.
Before dissolving in 2021, the First Responder Suicide Task Force found that the most common barrier to mental health support for first responders is stigma surrounding those who speak up about their own mental health troubles. The task force recommended that organizations build peer support groups and train their members on psychological fitness and depressive disorders, emphasizing that early detection of symptoms of PTSD or depression can help to save lives.
The third lawn protects teachers from artificial intelligence.
“In Illinois, our laws must keep up with rapidly advancing technology like AI,” said Porfirio. “This measure prioritizes the jobs of our teachers and guarantees our students receive the personal, engaging education they deserve.”
The new law prevents public community colleges from using artificial intelligence in place of a teacher as the sole source of instruction for a community college course. It does not prevent teachers from using AI as a tool to incorporate into their classroom, which according to CNBC, almost 50% do.
Schools around the country have experimented with integrating AI into their coursework. In 2023, Harvard University announced they would be using an AI teaching assistant and in 2024, Unbound Academy, an Arizona school was approved to teach virtually using only AI instructors.
“There is a time and place for AI integration in the classroom,” said Porfirio. “That place is not in lieu of our hardworking teachers across Illinois.”
Other new laws taking effect Jan. 1 include:
Hotel soaps phased out
The phase-out of small, single-use plastic bottles in Illinois hotel rooms continues.
Senate Bill 2960, passed and signed into law in 2024, bars hotels from providing toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner and bath soap in less than six-ounce plastic containers unless specifically requested by the hotel guest.
The ban took effect in hotels with 50 or more rooms on July 1 and takes effect for all hotels starting in 2026. Hotels in violation will receive a written warning for the first offense and be subject to fines of up to $1,500 for each subsequent violation.
Squatter removal
Senate Bill 1563 will make it easier for authorities to remove squatters who are illegally staying at someone else’s residence.
The law clarifies that a court-ordered eviction is not required for police to remove squatters from a person’s home, and police can enforce criminal trespassing charges against a squatter.
Lift-assist fees
House Bill 2336 allows municipalities or fire districts to charge assisted living facilities or nursing homes for calls to fire departments requesting help lifting a resident when it is not an emergency.
The bill was an initiative of the Illinois Municipal League, which argued the calls to fire departments for the nonemergency service are a burden on local governments and shift liabilities for injuries that happen during the process to fire departments rather than the facility.
Paid time off to pump breast milk
Senate Bill 212 mandates employers to compensate mothers who take breaks at work to pump breast milk for up to a year after their child is born. The bill prohibits employers from requiring employees to use paid leave time for pumping.
Naloxone in libraries
House Bill 1910 requires that libraries maintain a supply of opioid overdose medication, like naloxone. This drug is often administered through a nasal spray like Narcan. The law also requires that at least one staff member be trained to identify overdoses and administer the drug.
Police training on sexual assault
Senate Bill 1195, also known as Anna’s Law, requires police officers in training to participate in trauma-informed programs, procedures and practices that are designed to reduce trauma for victims. The bill is named after Anna Williams, a suburban resident who brought the initiative to lawmakers following her own experience with a sexual assault investigation. The bill takes effect in January.
Predatory towing
Senate Bill 2040 gives the Illinois Commerce Commission new powers to punish predatory towing companies which sometimes tow cars under false pretenses only to charge drivers afterwards. The ICC-backed law allows the agency to revoke towing licenses, impound tow trucks and more.
Capitol News Illinois contributed to this story.