Illinois Governor Signs 59 New Laws

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed into law a reform of the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), aimed at reducing the legal risks businesses face due to the law's stringent interpretations. The new legislation, Senate Bill 2979, consolidates multiple infractions into a single offense against the same individual and expands the definition of a written release to include electronic signatures. This reform comes as businesses have faced an onslaught of lawsuits that have generated significant legal fees, even without proof of client harm. In addition to BIPA changes, Pritzker signed a total of 59 bills covering areas such as education and criminal justice, including House Bill 3763, which allows employees to access various company documents beginning January 2025. Supporters of the BIPA reform, including State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid, argue it provides necessary clarity for small businesses while maintaining biometric data protections. The new law is expected to ease the burdens on businesses while still safeguarding personal information.