Fourteen new Illinois laws take effect today, covering everything from to-go cocktails to a new Department of Early Childhood. Capitol News Illinois Statehouse reporter Ben Szalinski joins us to walk through what's changing — including a statewide public defender and new reporting requirements on jail contraband.

We'll also check in on where things stand with the hundreds of other bills still awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker's signature, from new limits on rental "junk fees" to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that touches on how Illinois counts mail-in ballots.

When the clock struck Midnight on the new year, more than 250 new laws took effect here in Illinois. 

Today on the 21st:  A new year means new laws, and this year more than 250 took effect here in Illinois. We'll talk about some of the most notable, and some that may have slipped under your radar. Plus, along with politics and money, religion is one of those taboo topics we’re told to avoid. But a new public radio podcast explores the messiness of faith with people from all walks of life. We spoke to host Lee Hale about his show, “Preach.”