Grocery taxes in your county, Gun storage enforcement, Squatter complaints and property disputes, Schools and mixed‑status families
While these new laws apply statewide, their impact can look different from county to county in Illinois. For residents of Williamson County, the biggest differences usually show up in local tax decisions, enforcement priorities, and available services.
- Grocery taxes in your county: Because the state grocery tax is gone but local governments can add their own 1% grocery tax, it is important to check whether Williamson County or your city board passed a local grocery‑tax ordinance for 2026. If they did, you may not see much change at the checkout line, even though the “state tax” was repealed.
- Gun storage enforcement: The Safe Gun Storage Act applies the same everywhere in Illinois, but how aggressively it is enforced can depend on local law‑enforcement priorities and how often unsecured guns show up in incidents in Williamson County. Gun owners here should assume police and prosecutors will treat improper storage and late stolen‑gun reports more seriously in 2026 and beyond.
- Squatter complaints and property disputes: With the new anti‑squatter law, property owners in Williamson County now have a clearer path to call local law enforcement when someone is unlawfully occupying a home or building. If you can show proof of ownership and the person is not a lawful tenant, officers have more authority to act under the criminal trespass laws instead of sending you straight to civil court.
- Schools and mixed‑status families: Local school districts serving Williamson County must follow the new immigration‑status rules, meaning students should not be turned away or discouraged based on their family’s status. Districts will need to update training and privacy practices, which can help families feel safer sending their kids to school.
For most people in Williamson County, the most noticeable changes in 2026 will be: locking up firearms correctly, watching how grocery receipts change (or don’t), knowing police can act faster on squatters, and understanding that kids keep their right to go to school regardless of immigration status.