Women will have two new laws in 2017 that could help their pocket books.
Governor Rauner signed off on legislation that would eliminate the 6.25 percent tax that’s charged when customers buy feminine products like tampons and menstrual pads.
And all women will have access to birth control with no additional costs. Illinois insurance companies are now required to provide coverage for almost all FDA approved contraceptive options.
Bikers will also have some changes with the turn of the calendar year. They’ll now have the same rights as any driver of a motor vehicle.
“When you have a vehicle and a bicycle we have to respect that they have the right of way, and in the same regard, the bicyclists have to respect the rules of the road when they’re riding their bikes down the street. So bicycle safety is important, it would be a tragic accident if a vehicle strikes a bike, so these new laws help define the rights that bicyclists have in our roadways,” said Deputy Chief with the Naperville Police Department, Jason Arres.
And if you are out driving, think twice about crossing the railroad tracks. Fines will double for drivers caught disregarding railway crossing gates.
“It’s gone from $500 to $1,000, and obviously railway safety is critical, the arms go down for a reason: that’s for your safety, your family’s safety and as always use caution as the arms are going down, let’s not try to beat them,” added Arres.
In another new law, fines will be replacing jail time for those caught with small amounts of marijuana.
“So what it essentially has done is created that less than ten grams of cannabis is a petty offense as opposed to a criminal offense to have less than ten grams,” said Arres.
And one last law for the New Year comes by way of the water. The pirogue, a long canoe used by Native Americans, including the Illini, will now be designated as a new state artifact.
Naperville News 17’s Alyssa Bochenek
