New Illinois Laws Effective July 1, 2026 Include Changes To Senior Driving Tests, More

SPRINGFIELD – Over 20 new laws are set to take effect in Illinois starting July 1, 2026, bringing changes to senior driving tests, pandemic-era business practices, and more.

License Renewal Driving Tests Not Needed For Some Seniors

HB1226 no longer requires Illinois drivers ages 79-86 to take a driving test in order to renew their license.

Drivers in this age group will still need to renew their licenses in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) facility and pass a vision screening. However, driving tests will only be required for drivers 87 and older or for those 75 and older who hold a commercial driver’s license.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said the state’s previous age-based requirement was “outdated” and that Illinois seniors are “among the safest drivers on our roads.” Illinois had been the only state in the nation to require behind-the-wheel driving tests based solely on age.

Cocktails To-Go Now Permanently Allowed

A pandemic-era policy allowing licensed bars and restaurants to serve “cocktails to-go” has been made permanent.

SB618 allows for the sale of alcoholic beverages for delivery and curbside pickup, a practice that has become popular with business owners across the state.

The new law also creates a class 3 craft distiller’s license for distilleries that manufacture up to 100,000 gallons of spirits annually, allowing those licensees to apply to self-distribute up to 2,500 gallons each year.

Temporary Pause On Motor Fuel Tax Increase

Public Act 104-0468 calls for a six-month suspension of state motor fuel tax adjustments from July 1, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2027.

Under current state law, the motor fuel tax rate has been set to increase each year on July 1. The amount of the increase is required to match the most recent Consumer Price Index, defined as the average change in the price of goods and services as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Under the newly passed law, the state’s motor fuel tax rate will not increase on July 1, but only for this year.

Update to “Cyber-Bullying” Definition

HB 3851 expands the definition of “cyber-bullying” to include posting or sharing an unauthorized digital replica of an individual without the depicted individual’s consent. This change begins with the 2026-2027 school year.

More Animals Banned From Traveling Shows

HB4255 expands an existing state law banning elephants from performing in traveling animal acts. The law now applies to a wider range of animals, including cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions, tigers, and non-human primates.

A full list of all Illinois public acts set to go into effect on July 1, 2026 is available here.

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