When we flip the calendar page to a new year in a few weeks, we'll have to start remembering to write 2023 on our checks (if anyone still does that), and it would probably be a good idea to know what additions and changes to current laws here in Illinois are going to be.

I can't really help you with the check-writing (my wife doesn't want me helping her, either), but I can help with the new laws and regulations thing. Let's do our best to make sure that neither you or I get arrested this year for something we didn't know was against the law.

New law ahead road sign on a sky background and dessert road
Not to be critical, but I don't think this sign would help if you were lost. (Getty Images)
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Take A Guess On How Many New Illinois Laws Will Go Into Effect On New Year's Day 2023 While I Wait

If you guessed between 10-20, you're way low. If you're thinking that the number might be between 25-75, you're still low. How about 100? Nope, too low.

The actual answer is: over 180 new laws passed by the Illinois General Assembly are set to kick in January 1st, 2023.

I don't have the time, space, or inclination to fill up this page with every single new law going into effect in January, so let's just hit a few highlights.

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Starting January 1st, all gavels must be green. Not really. Just seeing if you read captions. (Getty Images)
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There Are New Laws In Illinois That Cover Nearly Every Facet Of Our Lives

The one that's drawing the most attention is the SAFE-T Act, which will replace Illinois' current cash-bail system with a pretrial release framework intended to eliminate inequality for defendants who can’t afford to post bail.

According to MyStateline.com,

Sixty-two Illinois States Attorneys have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the SAFE-T Act and have filed lawsuits to overturn it before it goes into effect. The hearing was postponed until December 20th.

Here's a partial list of other new laws that Illinois residents will see in a few weeks:

Illinois home smoke alarms: You've go to get the ones that are equipped with 10-year sealed batteries. Homes built after 1988 that already have hardwired alarms or wireless integrated alarms are exempt

The Employee Sick Leave Act: Any sick leave granted to employees is usable by that employee for sickness of a family member.

The Crown Act: This one basically breaks down to this: It will be illegal after the first of the year for Illinois employers to discriminate against someone because of their natural hair styles.

There are well over one hundred other laws that will come into play very soon, and if you're interested (I mean really interested), click here to be taken to the Illinois General Assembly website for the full list of every single one.

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