If you are concerned that your employer is not adhering to the required state COVID-19 workplace safety guidelines, you may contact the Workplace Rights Bureau of the Office of the Illinois Attorney General at (844) 740-5076 or workplacerights@atg.state.il.us Illinois reports 2,762 new COVID-19 cases, 4 new deaths. Under the IHRA and federal law, employers must make reasonable accommodations for employees if, as a result of a disability, they need an accommodation to perform their jobs. 71.40 no longer necessary. Under the IHRA and federal law, employees who are pregnant or recovering from childbirth, or who have a medical condition related to pregnancy, have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through January 8, 2022. Employers will want to ensure that all workers who perform work on-site, including employees, temporary employees and independent contractors, receive workplace safety training that includes training on COVID-19 symptoms and how to self-assess for symptoms. RESUMES ADMISSIONS TO IDOC FROM COUNTY JAILS The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) will resume accepting the transfer of individuals from Illinois county jails. Hundreds of new laws coming to Illinois Jan. 1, 2022 | WGN-TV In 2022, that means minimum wage will increase to $12 an hour. HB 03445: A person who seeks medical assistance for an opioid overdose will have immunity from prosecution for possession. SB 2129 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to allow the chief prosecutor of the county where a convicted person was sentenced to petition a judge to resentence to a shorter sentence. For the third year in a row, low-wage workers are getting a raise as the calendar turns to 2022. REGION 6 MITIGATIONS Region 6 East-Central Illinois has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. Housing providers will also not be held liable for injuries caused by a pet on their properties. Generally, an employer can layoff or terminate an employee for economic reasons. Under a new law effective March 11, 2022, employers who received exemption from the prior Tennessee law and have a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy must grant wide medical and religious exemptions to employees who refuse to receive the vaccine. On Wednesday, October 27, 2021, in a vote of 64-52 the Illinois House passed an amendment to the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act (Act) that would allow employers to enforce work rules and policies relating to COVID-19 vaccinations and testing and prevent individuals from using the Act to challenge COVID-19 rules and policies. The city of Chicago prohibits retaliation, including termination, against employees who work within the city for obeying a stay-at-home, quarantine, or self-isolation order. Temporary employees hired through a temporary staffing agency can be eligible for unemployment insurance. The IHRA and federal law prohibit employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of a disability or perceived disability. REGION 7 MITIGATIONS Region 7 has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. No. 2019: Illinois governor signs . The Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act requires that, after separation from employment, employees must be paid all final compensation, including bonus payments, vacation pay, wages and commissions on their next regularly scheduled payday. Hospitals licensed by IDPH or the State of Illinois may establish an ACF to provide room and board, nursing, and diagnosis or treatment to patients to increase regional hospital capacity. BBB shares top scams of 2022 . Here are 50 of the more notable pieces of legislation that will take effect in the new year. In response, public health restrictions and mitigations are implemented for restaurants and bars, meetings and social events, gaming and casinos and for all workplaces, effective October 31, 2020. CANNABIS IDENTIFICATION CARDS Suspends the requirement that a medical or adult use cannabis cultivation center agent must have a completed background check when applying for an agent identification card. PHASE FOUR REOPENING The community revitalization phase safely resumes and expands activities that were paused or limited as COVID-19 cases rose exponentially. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on May 17 signed the state's "COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act" (HB 2877) into law, providing robust protections for Illinois renters and homeowners. To encourage Illinoisans to support the state economy, this law reduces vehicle registration fees for cars and small trucks if they are manufactured in Illinois. Gatherings of 50 or more people are prohibited, including fitness centers, private clubs, and theaters. K-12 SCHOOLS CLARIFICATION All public and private schools must close for educational purposes, but schools operated by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, the Illinois State Board of Education or the Illinois Department of Human Services may remain open. NOTARY AND WITNESS GUIDELINES - any act of notarization or witnessing required by Illinois law may be completed remotely by via two-way audio-video communication technology provided that the acts follows specific guidelines set forth in the Order and by the Secretary of State. New Illinois laws in 2023 include the SAFE-T Act, Worker's Rights Amendment, improvements to health care and food access, and more. WARNING: Site will be down from 8-12PM CT. INFORMATION: Il.gov is a great site to visit. Suspends the requirement that a marriage license becomes effective one day after the date of issuance. The director of the Central Management Services Department must ensure that bird mortality is monitored at every state building. Yes. A list of LHDs can be found at http://www.dph.illinois.gov/LHD Laid off employees who previously had employer-provided health insurance may continue their coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). REGION 5 MITIGATIONS Region 5 has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. Published September 15, 2022 Updated on September 15, 2022 at 4:17 pm NBC Universal, Inc. Illinois Gov. Murders peaked in 2021 with 799 homicidesthe most since 1996and in 2022, remains 39% higher than in 2019. Per guidance from the U.S. Individuals who refuse an offer of suitable work are disqualified from receiving unemployment insurance unless there is good cause for the refusal. REGIONS 4 AND 10 MITIGATIONS Region 4, the Metro East, has had a 7-day rolling average test positivity rate of 8 percent or above for three consecutive days. Employers may not require employees to disclose if they are at higher risk for COVID- 19 or have a health condition. Employees who believe they have been retaliated against may file a, The Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Act of 2015 protects state and local government employees who raise safety and health concerns with their employer or a government agency. HB 633 establishes the Vegetable Garden Protection Act, which makes Illinois the second state in the nation to enshrine the right to cultivate a vegetable garden into state law. Additionally, employers should conduct temperature and/or symptom screenings of all employees prior to their entry to the workplace. Employers are responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and there is nothing in Illinois or federal law that prohibits an employer from requiring a doctors note or COVID-19 test before an employee returns to work. SB 00817: Bans schools from discriminating against student hairstyles associated with racial, ethnic and cultural traditions. (Employees should be aware that they may have to cover their portion of the health insurance expense that is typically deducted from their pay.). It also requires counties with populations above 250,000 to offer the option of a remote hearing. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS Reissues most executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through July 26, 2020. Employers should provide face coverings at no charge to employees who are not able to maintain a minimum 6-foot social distance at all times; Ensure that all spaces where employees may gather, including locker rooms and lunchrooms, allow for social distancing; Ensure that all visitors (customers, vendors, etc.) HB 00226: Public universities will now be required to permit students to choose whether they submit ACT and SAT scores when applying for admission. CANNABIS LICENSES - Suspends the requirement that by July 1, 2020, the Illinois Department of Agriculture must issue up to 40 Craft Grower Licenses, up to 40 Infuser Licenses, and issue Transporting Organization Licenses. SUSPENDS REQUIREMENTS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS - Suspends certain requirements for restoration of an inactive or expired license of five years or less for professional counselors, social workers, and clinical psychologists. Nearly 300 new laws will take effect in Illinois at the start of the new year. READ MORE | Illinois SAFE-T Act 2023: Pritzker signs revised version of controversial bill about cash bail. A new law takes effect giving students up to five days off for mental health. Guidance For Employers and Employees on Workers' Rights and - Illinois EXPERT INSIGHT: An Assault Weapons Ban is not the Solution Illinois Needs Additional resources and frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and public health are available on IDPHs website, https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19. If there is prior guidance that implies different standards from these Tier 3 Mitigations, the more restrictive standards apply. To encourage employee input and feedback on safety and health matters, employers should consider designating one or more employees to be points of contact for employees with health or safety concerns or, in larger workplaces, creating a workplace safety and health committee made up of employee representatives from a variety of roles within the business. Suspends requiring certain courses as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma for twelfth grade students who are unable to complete coursework as a result of the suspension of in-person instruction due to COVID-19.