The reelection of Donald Trump as president of the United States promises great changes in the coming new year. However, there are politicians who have chosen to resist Trump and his administration. They often claim to do so because they believe they are more moral, virtuous, and human than the incoming president. Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson is one of them.

On the morning after the election, after he had campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris in North Carolina, Johnson released an official statement from his mayoral office saying that “our president-elect has made direct threats against the most vulnerable and marginalized in our society.”

Illinois Department of Human Services employees have worked excessive overtime — with one worker more than tripling their annual salary of $66,000 — which could have an adverse effect on people in the department’s care, a state audit released earlier this month found.

The Dec. 4 report from Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino’s office, which covered fiscal years 2021 through 2023, also found that misconduct allegations within IDHS have increased and that the department’s inspector general’s office has been slower to investigate complaints.

Illinois lawmakers in early January could consider easing requirements for residents to change their names, a move proponents say will reduce risks for victims of domestic abuse, transgender residents and others.

The measure must clear the full Senate in the first week of January to reach Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk, otherwise it must go through the entire legislative process again after a new General Assembly convenes Jan. 8.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul highlighted four new laws from his office set to take effect on Jan. 1.

“My office has continued to work with the General Assembly to develop legislation to protect children, increase access to state services and advocate for the rights of workers and marginalized communities,” Raoul said. “I look forward to our continued collaboration with law enforcement, legislators and various stakeholders to enact policies that protect residents and communities around Illinois.”