Best new laws of 2015

From a ban on creating new units of local government to the end of Chicago’s happy-hour prohibition, here are five laws passed in 2015 worth celebrating.

It has been a hectic year for lawmakers in Illinois, and despite the fact that Illinois is still without a budget, the state has seen some positive news in 2015.

Here are five of the most exciting laws passed in 2015, the first four of which will take effect in 2016, bringing more freedom and opportunity to Illinois:

1. No new local governments for four years. One recently passed law bans the creation of new units of local government for four years, recognizing that Illinoisans have had enough with the layers upon layers of government and taxation they face. Illinois has almost 7,000 units of local government, a number that makes local government expensive and unaccountable. Public Act 099-0353 will stop the proliferation of government entities, making room for the government-consolidation and efficiency efforts that Illinois needs.

2. Required audit of rules and regulations that stifle businesses. Illinois has a long way to go before it can be considered “friendly” to small businesses, but Public Act 099-0370 is one step toward reducing the burden of government regulations that stifle small businesses. This law requires state executive-branch agencies to review their rules, regulations and permitting processes for requirements that are unduly onerous for small businesses. This is significant, as many small businesses cannot afford compliance officers to navigate the unnecessarily difficult regulatory environment to which they are subjected.

3. Crowdfunding legalized as a fundraising tool for entrepreneurs. Another law aimed at supporting small businesses in Illinois, Public Act 099-0182 enables entrepreneurs to raise funds through a tool called crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is similar to popular fundraising tools such as the Kickstarter and Gofundme websites, but instead of donations, entrepreneurs can solicit actual investments in their businesses from other Illinoisans. This law will help Illinois’ entrepreneurs bring their great ideas to fruition by giving them an innovative tool to connect with potential investors of various sizes.

4. Right to Try will enable terminally ill patients to undergo experimental treatments. Public Act 099-0270, also known as the Right to Try Act, may actually save lives while removing government from some of the most personal decisions terminally ill Illinoisans may ever make. The law allows patients with terminal conditions to access experimental drugs and medical treatments that have been proven safe for use, but have yet to complete the arduous approval process of the Food and Drug Administration. The Right to Try law promotes liberty for both patients and doctors, allowing doctors to provide the care and counseling they are trained to give and granting patients decision-making power over their own treatment strategies.

5. Happy-hour prohibition ended for Chicago … for the most part. Last but not least, possibly the most popular bill of 2015 made happy hour legal in Chicago, effective July 15, 2015. Public Act 099-0046 amends a paternalistic law that prevented Chicago bars and restaurants from offering drink specials at certain times of the day, such as when most people are getting off work. Incidentally, the law imposed regulations that didn’t even work to curb binge drinking as intended – bars could get around it with daylong specials, just not specials for particular hours. Although the amendment came with restrictions on the bars that take part, such as greater alcohol training for serving staff, Chicagoans can now raise a glass to toast the end of the workday – and a little less needless interference from their government.