The Illinois state legislature passed House Bill (HB) 2462 which would prevent employers from inquiring about a job applicant’s salary history and lower the burden on employees claiming equal pay violations. The Bill now awaits Governor Bruce Rauner’s signature.
Articles Discussing Illinois Wage & Hour Laws.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Signs Executive Order Raising Minimum Wage to $13 Per Hour For Employees of City Contractors & Concessionaires
Following a developing nationwide trend, on September 3, 2014, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel signed an executive order that will require City of Chicago contractors and concessionaries (those operating retail businesses on City property) to pay a minimum wage of $13 per hour to all employees. The September 3 executive order is anticipated to affect approximately 1,000 employees who perform work for the City in areas such as landscaping, maintenance, security, concessions, and custodial work.
Illinois Statute Clarifies Circumstances When Employers May Pay Wages Via Payroll Debit Cards
Payroll debit cards, or paycards, work similarly to credit cards or bank debit cards. Every payday, the employer loads the card with the net wages the employee is due to receive. The employee then has a choice to go to a bank and withdraw the entire sum, or to use the card as one would use a credit card or debit card at retail locations or automated teller machines. Depending on the manner in which a paycard is used, and the bank that issues the paycard, fees may attach to certain uses of a paycard. Because paycards offer a convenient method of payment to “unbanked” employees and avoid the administrative costs of issuing paper checks, payroll debit cards are increasingly used by many employers.