The Chicago City Council has passed the Chicago Fair Workweek Ordinance, which requires large employers to provide workers with at least two weeks’ advance notice of their work schedules and compensate workers for last-minute changes.
Articles About Illinois Labor And Employment Law.
Chicago Passes Ordinance Requiring Employers to Provide Predictive Scheduling for Certain Industries
In the most expansive predictive scheduling law in the country to date, Chicago City officials passed the “Fair Workweek Ordinance” on July 24, 2019, and Mayor Lori Lightfoot has indicated she would quickly sign the Ordinance. The Ordinance provides extensive protection for certain employees with regard to advance scheduling of work. Although employers have some time to get used to the idea, by July 1, 2020, they will need to have a firm plan in place to address this new Ordinance.
Chicago City Council Unanimously Approves Fair Workweek Ordinance
The Chicago City Council passed the new Chicago Fair Workweek Ordinance by a unanimous vote earlier today, as reported by the Chicago Sun Times.
Illinois’ Attorney General Wants to Know About Data Breaches
Possibly adding to the list of states that have updated their privacy and breach notification laws this year, the Illinois legislature passed Senate Bill 1624 which would update the state’s current breach notification law to require most “data collectors,” which includes entities that, for any purpose, handle, collect, disseminate, or otherwise deal with nonpublic personal information, to notify the State’s Attorney General of certain data breaches.
Illinois Poised to Protect Marijuana Users from Adverse Employment Actions as Part of Marijuana Legalization Legislation
On June 4, 2019, the Illinois legislature passed the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (the “Act”) (HB 1438). The Act, notwithstanding federal law, declares marijuana a “lawful product” for state law purposes, and would make marijuana use, possession, and even cultivation, lawful for adults age 21 and older, starting January 1, 2020. Governor J.B. Pritzker has pledged to make good on his campaign promise to sign the bill into law,1 making Illinois the 12th state to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use. The law, once enacted, will provide expansive workplace protections to marijuana users.
Recreational Marijuana Legalized in Illinois
Larry Mason and Adam Dolan join the podcast to discuss Illinois legislature’s recent legalization of cannabis. Larry and Adam highlight the key provisions of the new legislation and outline some of the policy considerations behind the statute. The duo also provides insights into how the new law will affect Illinois
Illinois Legalizes Recreational Marijuana, Posing Challenges For Employers
The Illinois General Assembly passed the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (“the Act”) (HB 1438) on May 31, 2019, legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes. Governor J.B. Pritzker has stated he will sign the bill and it will take effect on January 1, 2020. The Act will allow anyone over the age of 21 to possess, use, or buy marijuana. More significantly, marijuana will be considered a “lawful product” for purposes of the Illinois Right to Privacy Act, which bars discrimination against employees and applicants for using lawful products off-duty and off of the employer’s premises. For employers, the end of Illinois’ prohibition on recreational use invites a host of practical problems moving forward.
Illinois Legalizes Recreational Marijuana
The Illinois General Assembly passed the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (“the Act”) (HB 1438) on May 31, 2019. Governor J.B. Pritzker has stated he will sign the bill. The Act legalizes marijuana for recreational purposes. The Act, which takes effect on January 1, 2020, will allow anyone over the age of 21 to possess, use, or buy marijuana, which will be considered a “lawful product.” For employers, the end of Illinois’ prohibition on recreational use invites a host of practical problems moving forward.
Illinois Poised to Ban Salary History Inquiries
Among the bills awaiting signature by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is an amendment to the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 that would ban employers from asking job applicants for information about their wage, salary or benefits history. Governor Pritzker is expected to sign the bill, HB834. With this new law, Illinois joins at least 12 other states and multiple counties and municipalities in restricting employers’ ability to obtain or use applicants’ compensation history in the process of hiring and setting compensation.
Fair Workweek Ordinance May Be Coming Soon in Chicago
The City of Chicago has flirted with enacting a “Fair Workweek” ordinance, aimed at ensuring predictable work schedules for workers, for several years. While the ordinance failed to gain traction in its prior iterations, this time it has a powerful proponent in Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who has made passing the ordinance one of her priorities for her first 100 days in office.
New Law Limits Exclusive Remedy Protections for Work Injuries
Since the new year, multiple bills targeted at workers’ compensation reform have been put forth by the Illinois legislature. One bill that gained attention, particularly in employer circles, is Senate Bill 1596, signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker on March 20, 2019. It is now codified as Section 1.2 of the Workers’ Compensation Act (WCA) and Section 1.1 of the Occupational Diseases Act (ODA).
Bucking the Right-to-Work Trend, Illinois Passes Ban on Right-to-Work Zones
On April 12, 2019, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) signed legislation effectively banning local governments from passing right-to-work ordinances. Public Act 101-0003, titled the “Collective Bargaining Freedom Act,” prohibits local governments from passing ordinances barring employers and labor organizations from entering into collective bargaining agreements that require workers to join unions or pay dues. The law took effect immediately.
Illinois BIPA Defendants May Soon Be Getting Relief…Or Not
UPDATE: As discussed below, SB2134, as introduced, would have amended BIPA to delete the language that creates a private right of action and provide, instead, that violations resulting from the collection of biometric information by an employer for employment, human resources, fraud prevention, or security purposes would be subject to the enforcement authority of the Department of Labor.
Illinois House Set to Pass Tough Pay History Ban, Equal Pay Amendments
Once again, the Illinois Legislature is working to pass more aggressive equal pay laws. HB 834 includes not only a pay history ban, but also additional amendments to strengthen pay equity protections and pay transparency provisions.
Illinois Bill Introduced to Require Sexual Harassment Training for All Restaurant Employees
Illinois has joined the growing number of states proposing mandatory sexual harassment training with a bill that requires training for restaurant employees. If the Restaurant Anti-Harassment Act is enacted, restaurants must provide sexual harassment prevention training to all employees in Illinois.