Starting Monday, Illinois motorists can finally breathe a sigh of relief as police will no longer be allowed to pull them over solely based on objects hanging from their rearview mirrors. This revised windshield rule means that air fresheners, parking placards, and even the iconic fuzzy dice are fair game to hang. While this may seem like a small change, it is one of the hundreds of new laws taking effect across the United States with the start of the new year.

The original Illinois windshield law was intended to enhance roadway safety but had inadvertently become an excuse for law enforcement to pull over drivers. The new law still prohibits objects that obstruct a driver's view, but it explicitly forbids stops or searches solely based on suspected violations of this rule. Democratic state Sen. Christopher Belt, one of the bill's sponsors, emphasized that this new law sends a powerful message against racial profiling and discrimination.

Another noteworthy law in Illinois seeks to combat a more modern form of distracted driving. It prohibits people from participating in video conferences or scanning social media while behind the wheel, recognizing the dangers of this behavior.

Moving on to more controversial issues, several states have enacted new laws regarding guns and online activity. Minnesota now allows authorities to request "extreme risk protection orders" from courts to temporarily take guns away from individuals deemed to be a threat to themselves or others. This makes Minnesota the 20th state to implement a red-flag law. Additionally, Colorado has joined the ranks of states banning "ghost guns" - firearms that are assembled at home or 3D-printed without serial numbers, allowing owners to evade background checks.

While the Supreme Court declined to block an Illinois law that bans high-powered semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines, a federal judge recently blocked a similar law in California that would have prohibited carrying concealed guns in many public places.

In the realm of online activities, Connecticut now requires online dating operators to adopt policies for handling harassment reports between users. North Carolina has implemented a law that obliges pornographic website operators to verify that viewers are at least 18 years old by using a commercially available database. This law also allows parents to sue companies if their children were allowed access to pornography.

Illinois has taken a step towards addressing the issue of deepfake pornography, where videos or images are manipulated without consent. A new law in the state enables victims of deepfake pornography to file lawsuits.

LGBTQ+ issues have been at the forefront of political debates, with conservatives pushing for restrictions on gender-affirming treatments for transgender minors. Bans on access to puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgery for minors will take effect on January 1st in Idaho, Louisiana, and West Virginia. However, the West Virginia law includes an exception that allows treatment with parental consent and a diagnosis of severe gender dysphoria from two doctors.

On the other hand, many Democrat-dominated states have responded with protections for transgender individuals. Hawaii will now issue new marriage certificates to people who request to change how their sex is listed. The state is also replacing gender-specific terms in its laws, such as replacing “mother” with "birthing parent" and “father” with "non-birthing parent." In Colorado, new government-owned buildings will be required to have at least one restroom on every floor that does not specify the gender of the users.

Conservative efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ policies have also led to attempts to ban certain books from school or public libraries. Indiana has passed a law that makes it easier for parents and others to challenge books in school libraries. In contrast, a new law in Illinois will block state funding for public libraries that ban or restrict books.

Moving on to taxes and wages, over 20 states will be raising their minimum wages, surpassing the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. Maryland will set its minimum wage at $15 per hour, while New Jersey will be at $15.13 per hour for most employees. Connecticut will increase its minimum wage to $15.69 per hour, and in New York City, it will be $16 per hour. California's statewide minimum wage will also rise to $16 per hour, and Washington will have a minimum rate of $16.28.

In terms of taxes, many states are reducing, rebating, or suspending broad-based taxes. Kansas, for example, will lower the sales tax on groceries from 4% to 2%, benefiting families spending an average of $200 weekly on groceries by saving them $208 annually. Connecticut will experience its first income tax rate reduction since the mid-1990s, benefiting around 1 million tax filers. Missouri will also reduce its income tax rate while expanding tax exemptions for Social Security benefits and military training pay. Businesses in Alabama will be able to claim tax credits for hiring interns or apprentices, and the state will exempt overtime pay from the income tax until June 2025, unless renewed by lawmakers.