6 Illinois laws you should know about

The Belleville News-Democrat took an in-depth look at six Illinois laws that impact various aspects of daily life.

1. In Illinois, the law allows people with specific disabilities to apply for parking placards to use handicap accessible spaces. Violations in the use of these placards can lead to severe penalties, including fines and license suspension.

2. Employment law in Illinois grants workers a 20-minute meal break after 7.5 hours worked and other rest provisions. Employers can't require workers to work during these breaks without compensation.

3. Illinois businesses have the option to refuse cash payments, although ongoing legislation may change this, potentially requiring acceptance for smaller transactions.

4. Illinois employers can generally require employees to provide a doctor’s note to excuse sick time, in some cases, if the employee has missed more than three consecutive days of work.

5. There are currently no state laws that prohibit a person from sleeping in a car.

6. Laws allow unmarked police cars to stop drivers, requiring them to display valid identification. Illinois drivers have rights during such stops and can verify the legitimacy by contacting 911.

Read more about these laws in the stories below:

Not all states charge property taxes for owning vehicles like Missouri and Kansas do. The two states have some of the highest rates in the country. By northlightimages

NO. 1: IS IT ILLEGAL TO SLEEP IN YOUR CAR IN ILLINOIS? HERE’S WHAT STATE LAW PROHIBITS

You may want to check your city’s local ordinances before parking overnight to sleep. | Published July 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Meredith Howard

Many businesses are ditching cash payments these days. Is that legal? By iiievgeniy

NO. 2: IS IT LEGAL FOR IL BUSINESSES TO REFUSE CASH OR COIN AS PAYMENT? WHAT THE LAW SAYS

Are there limits on businesses moving to card-only payments? | Published July 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Meredith Howard

An unmarked police car displays a blue light in this stock image from Getty Images. By Elmar Gubisch

NO. 3: CAN AN UNMARKED PATROL CAR PULL YOU OVER IN IL? WHAT STATE POLICY AND LAW ALLOWS

Here’s what to do if an unmarked car flashes emergency lights at you. | Published July 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Meredith Howard

Employers in Kentucky are largely free to set their own sick leave policies, but there are a few notable exceptions employees should be aware of. By PeopleImages

NO. 4: CAN YOUR IL EMPLOYER REQUIRE A DOCTOR’S NOTE FOR YOUR SICK DAY? WHAT THE LAW SAYS

Can your employer require you to provide a doctor’s note when you take sick days? | Published July 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Meredith Howard

A happy, satisfied Asian woman reads messages on her smartphone and sips coffee while working remotely at a coffee shop. people, wireless technology, lifestyle By BongkarnThanyakij

NO. 5: IS YOUR IL EMPLOYER LEGALLY REQUIRED TO GIVE YOU BREAKS AT WORK? WHAT THE LAW SAYS

Are you legally entitled to a lunch break at work in Illinois? | Published August 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Meredith Howard

Special placards enable disabled Kentuckians to park in accessible spots, but there are several rules around their use. By Roman Bulatov

NO. 6: HERE’S WHAT IL LAW SAYS ABOUT WHO CAN USE HANDICAP PARKING PLACARDS, PLATES

If you have a temporary or permanent disability in Illinois, how can you obtain a placard or license plate to lawfully use accessible parking spaces? | Published August 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Meredith Howard

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.