Springfield, IL-(Mattoon Radio)- As the New Year begins, employers and employees across the State should be aware of new laws taking effect that impact workplace rights.
“Legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in 2022 expands upon and changes certain rights and protections in the workplace,” said Illinois Department of Labor Acting Director Jane Flanagan. “It’s important for employers and employees to be aware of the new laws taking effect January 1st, and those already in effect.”
- In 2019, Governor Pritzker led the effort to increase the minimum wage for workers in Illinois. The law passed increases the wage by $1 every year through 2025. This year the minimum wage increases to $13 an hour, and $7.80 an hour for tipped workers. Workers in the Chicago and Cook County area should be aware that the minimum wage may be higher there due to local ordinances.
- Unpaid leave rights are being expanded for employees. The Family Bereavement Leave Act (FBLA) amends what was the Child Bereavement Leave Act (CBLA) to expand job-protected leave to cover pregnancy loss, failed adoptions, unsuccessful reproductive procedures, and other diagnoses or events negatively impacting pregnancy or fertility. The FBLA also now requires employers to provide leave time after the loss of family members such as parents or siblings. Employees may take up to two weeks, or 10 working days, of unpaid leave time for any of the events covered by the FBLA.
- The amended One Day Rest in Seven Act (ODRISA) gives workers the right to a day of rest every workweek and breaks for meals or rest during daily work shifts. Employers covered by ODRISA must post a notice at the workplace informing workers of their rights under the Act. The notice is available on the IDOL website.
- An amendment to the Employee Sick Leave Act mandates that employers who provide sick leave benefits must allow employees to take leave in the event of a family member illness on the same conditions which the employee can take leave for their own illness.
Other New 2023 State Laws:
- HB 00209 – Bans latex gloves for the use of handling and preparing food.
- HB 02382 – Expands access to healthy foods in eligible areas throughout Illinois by providing assistance to grocery stores, corner stores, farmers markets and other small food retailers.
- HB 02991 – Requires the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to set up a contract for a market research analysis of veterans’ field services in Illinois and provide a report on the agency’s plans for service delivery.
- HB 03296 – Requires school boards to establish a career and technical education pathway program for grades 6 through 12.
- HB 03596 – Changes the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and creates an electronic record for opioid prescriptions to help track doctors who overprescribe.
- HB 03699 – Provides additional resources to law enforcement to combat carjackings.
- HB 04271 – Requires medically necessary breast reduction surgery to be covered by state-regulated private insurance.
- HB 04304 – Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to conduct exit interviews with every child, age 5 and over, who leaves a foster home within five days of the removal.
- HB 04386 – Allows single fire rifles to be used for deer hunting in Illinois. Brings Illinois into parity with other midwest states.
- HB 04667 – Deems correctional officers as qualified law enforcement officers. Allows these correctional officers to carry a weapon off duty if retired.
- HB 04766 – Designates Aug. 1 as Sweet Corn Appreciation Day.
- HB 05193 – Adds safe gun storage to the required topics for safety education instruction that may be conducted by public school boards and all boards in charge of educational institutions.
- HB 05265 – Requires school districts to waive all school fees for students experiencing homelessness.
- HB 05304 – Reduces the vehicle registration fee for senior citizens from $24 to $10.
- HB 05441 – Clarifies the existing definition of “unable to give knowing consent” by adding that the survivor remains unable to consent if they voluntarily consumed an intoxicating substance.
- HB 05488 – Allows every public middle or high school student at least one school day excused absence per school year to engage in a civic event.
- SB 03019 – Bans a child sex offender from working at a carnival, amusement enterprise, or fair.
- SB 03127 – Formally recognizes emergency medical dispatchers as first responders.
- SB 03793 – Adds community service to the penalties for speeding in a school zone.
- SB 04028 – Creates a mental health council that works to figure out how to help children in school to find a mental health provider and how to access the mental health system. Puts into school curriculum lessons and teachings about mental health.
Comments