More than 300 new state laws take effect on Jan. 1, affecting everything from education and criminal justice to employee benefits and indoor vaping, with most reflecting the priorities of Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his allies in the Democratic-controlled legislature.

Here’s a look at some of the laws that kick in with the new year.

Chicago’s schools are making local and national headlines this month, and it seems like everyone has something to say about the city’s decision to move away from school choice.

I’ve seen articles and commentary by editorial boards and pundits and policy experts. I’ve seen statements from the city’s district, board and union leaders. But there’s one group that has been absent from the decision and the coverage — parents. I am a Chicago Public Schools parent and I am baffled that my voice, and the voices of hundreds of thousands of parents like me, is not part of the conversation.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is part of a trio of Democratic mayors urging the federal government to help deal with the inflow of non-citizen arrivals.

Johnson, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston hosted a three-person news event Wednesday where all three called upon President Joe Biden for help.

The rate of violent crime on CTA trains continued to drop in 2023, years after it spiked when the pandemic emptied trains of many riders.

But the violent crime rate still remained above pre-pandemic levels, a Tribune analysis of Chicago police data shows. And certain stations have drawn a heightened focus from the Chicago Police Department and the CTA, officials with both agencies said, as the platforms and trains nearby saw more instances of violent crime than other parts of the CTA system.

Over the past several years, Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 has funded tens of millions of dollars in building-related projects at both high schools without having to borrow, avoiding millions in interest charges.

In fact, since 2017, the district has had neither debt nor a tax levy to repay debt. Another $16 million in capital projects, mainly for a planned cafeteria expansion and related work at Libertyville High School, also can be paid in cash.