With a new year, many new laws take effect in Illinois this week — affecting minimum wage and other employer rules, health care access, public safety and more — plus a handful of new tax rates and other laws taking hold in Iowa. All told, nearly 300 laws take effect in Illinois, most of which increase requirements for employers to provide projected benefits to employees. Other new laws expand protections for tenants from landlords, expand access to medicine and other health services or change public safety programs. In Iowa, the accelerated phase-in of income tax cuts will reduce the top rate. Also, vehicle registrations and title applications will increase by $10. Another new Iowa law aims to expand consumers’ data protection.
