re: Non-Compete agreements are now illegal nationwide!

Its a valid question, like some others raised here.
The litigation will focus on this issue .
Truth is, prospective employees rarely have any real bargaining position, much less equal bargaining leverage to negotiate terms like this.
And, many years after the first agreement on compensation is reached, the existence of this clause (and its ability to keep you unemployed or underemployed for two years) gives the employer no incentive to pay what your services are now worth.
And for the same reason the employer can scrimp or even deny other work place benefits (like paying you on time in some instances).
You are free to quit in response.
And be unemployed in your same community, where you have a house and family...
These agreements can be and are abused.