One of the laws targets so-called extreme speeders. If you're stopped doing 30 miles an hour over the limit, you can now get jail time. Previously, it took 40 over to get jail time.
Another new law limits campaign contributions in Illinois for the first time. The measure caps how much money individuals and businesses can give to candidates.
Candidates will be required to file campaign expenditure and contribution reports every three months. State election regulators will have more enforcement powers and authority to conduct audits.
Chicago parking meter rates go up again beginning the first of the year. Rates downtown go up to $5 an hour. That's the highest of any downtown area in the country. There's a 50-cent hike in neighborhoods near downtown and a 25-cent jump per hour in all other neighborhoods.
