Illinois state and local legislatures kept busy in 2023 with the enactment of numerous new labor and employment laws, including significant changes to paid and sick leave for employees and new protections for temporary laborers and independent contractors. While some laws took effect during 2023, implementation of others was pushed
Chicago
Major Paid Leave Changes Coming Under the New Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance
Executive Summary: In response to the State of Illinois enacting the Paid Leave for All Workers Act (“PLAW Act”), which requires 40 hours of paid leave to be provided to employees that can be used for any reason, but exempts Chicago and Cook County because they already had paid sick leave ordinances, the City of Chicago enacted, on November 9, 2023, a new Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance (the “Ordinance” or “CPLO”).
Effective Date of Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance Delayed to July 1, 2024
The Chicago City Council has passed an amendment to the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance to delay its effective date to July 1, 2024, in addition to other changes.
Learn more about the amendment here.
Chicago City Council Delays Paid Leave Changes to July 1, 2024
On December 13, 2023, the Chicago City Council voted to delay the paid leave changes in the new Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance (the “Ordinance”) from January 1, 2024 to July 1, 2024. The Ordinance, which was originally enacted only a month earlier on
Chicago City Council Passes Measure to Eliminate the Tip Credit
The Chicago City Council voted on October 6, 2023, to eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped employees working within Chicago by July 1, 2028. The “One Fair Wage” ordinance will gradually phase out the subminimum wage, also known as the tip credit, over a five-year period starting July 1, 2024.
Chicago Clarifies that its Anti-Harassment Law Applies to all Employers with Employees Working in Chicago
Last year, the Chicago City Council amended the City’s sexual harassment ordinance for the express purpose of promoting zero tolerance of violence and harassment in the workplace.
Chicago Enacts Amendments to and Expands Requirements of its Criminal History Screening Ordinance
For nearly a decade, Chicago has maintained a “ban-the-box” ordinance restricting employer’s use of criminal records in employment screening. This ordinance largely mirrored the requirements of Illinois’ state-wide Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act (JOQAA), albeit with some important differences.
Chicago City Council Passes Ordinance Requiring Nonprofit Contractors to Enter into Labor Peace Agreement with Unions
On March 15, 2023, the Chicago City Council overwhelmingly voted to approve an ordinance requiring labor peace agreements between workers and Chicago-funded nonprofit organizations providing critical public health and social services to Chicago residents and communities. The measure, called the […]
The post Chicago City Council Passes Ordinance Requiring Nonprofit
Chicago Employers: Notable Amendments to Chicago’s Sexual Harassment Ordinance
The City of Chicago amended its sexual harassment Ordinance on April 27, 2022. Chicago employers should take note of the following significant changes to the law that took effect on July 1, 2022. The amended Ordinance imposes new requirements on employers with respect to training, recordkeeping, and written policy language. It also increases penalties for violations by a factor of ten. But inconsistencies between the new Ordinance and existing law also create a number of questions.
Chicago Releases Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy, Poster for Employers
The Chicago Commission on Human Relations has released an English-language model policy and a model sexual harassment prevention poster related to Chicago’s new requirement that employers adopt a sexual harassment prevention policy and provide annual training to employees and supervisors.
Chicago Employers Get Ready: New Harassment and Bystander Training Obligations Among Key Changes to Chicago Human Rights Ordinance
On April 27, 2022, the Chicago City Council approved several substantive amendments to the sexual harassment provisions of the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance. The amendments impose new and expanded harassment training obligations for all employers operating in the City of […]
City of Chicago Expands Protections for Victims of Sexual Harassment
On July 1, 2022, amendments to Chicago’s Human Rights Ordinance will go into effect. In April 2022, Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Commission on Human Relations amended the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance, adding additional protections for those subjected to sexual harassment. The amendments also modified definitions of “sexual
New Year, New Rules: Chicago Will Require Proof of Vaccination to Enter Most Public Establishments as of January 3, 2022
On December 21, 2021, Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued Public Health Order 2021-2, a vaccine mandate for certain public accommodations that is meant to help curb the spread of COVID-19 as the Omicron variant continues to surge.
Chicago Issues Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Restaurants, Gyms, and Indoor Concerts
On December 21, 2021, the City of Chicago issued Public Health Order 2021-2, which requires certain indoor establishments (including restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues) to verify the COVID-19 vaccination status of patrons five years of age and older, effective January 3, 2022. Chicago joins New York City, Los Angeles, and
Chicago Issues COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Restaurants, Bars, Gyms, Entertainment Venues
The City of Chicago has issued a public health order requiring restaurants, bars, gyms, fitness centers, and entertainment/recreation venues where food or beverages are served to require proof of vaccination from all patrons.