Nearly 300 new laws will go into effect statewide on Jan. 1, reflecting the efforts of Illinois lawmakers to address the wide variety of substantial issues facing the state. And in a collective attempt to rectify the United States’ sordid history of systemic racism, several new laws going into effect in 2022 seek to make the state a more equitable place for all.

Illinois child care providers will be able to apply for a stake of $300 million in new relief grants, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced during a Thursday morning press conference. Officials also revealed that $45 million in state funds will go toward previous recipients of the state’s Child Care Restoration Grants, a program that has been extended by six months past the Dec. 15 deadline. With the recent influx of funding, the state has surpassed $1 billion in total pandemic child care relief grants, officials said.