New state laws on guns, pornography, taxes and even fuzzy dice
Newsy
The new year brings a variety of new laws on taxes, wages, guns, gender-affirming care, library books and more.
Fuzzy dice finally will be free to dangle in Illinois.
Starting Monday, police there no longer will be allowed to pull over motorists solely because they have something hanging from the rearview mirror of the windshield. That means air fresheners, parking placards and, yes, even those dice are fair game to hang.
The revised Illinois windshield rule is one of hundreds of new laws taking effect with the new year in states across the U.S. While some may seem a bit pedestrian, others have real practical effects or touch on controversial issues such as restrictions on weapons and medical treatments for transgender people.
Though the original Illinois windshield law was meant to improve roadway safety, it came to be seen by some as an excuse for pulling over drivers. The new law still prohibits objects that obstruct a driver's view but forbids law enforcement officers from conducting stops or searches solely because of suspected violations.
"With this new law, we are sending a powerful message that the state does not tolerate racial profiling or other forms of discrimination," said Democratic state Sen. Christopher Belt, one of the bill's sponsors.
