Illinois employers should prepare to increase their minimum wages where necessary, and adjust applicable overtime rates, now that Illinois has become one of five states (joining California, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New...more
In 2019 Illinois employers can expect expanded workplace protections for nursing mothers, broader requirements imposed on employers for certain employee reimbursements for reasonable work expenses, and protections for...more
From workplace dress policies to collecting an employee’s fingerprints, as we wind down 2017, here’s a recap of new workplace laws—and helpful reminders—that affected Illinois employers this year:
Updates to the Illinois...more
On June 7, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the withdrawal of two Obama-era Administrator’s Interpretations regarding employee/independent contractor classification and joint employment. In 2015, the DOL...more
Effective July 1, 2017, Chicago and Cook County employers are required to provide workers with paid sick time to care for themselves or family members. This follows the January 1, 2017 enactment of the Employee Sick Leave Act...more
Reviving past failed attempts to change federal overtime law, the House passed a bill on May 4, 2017, that would permit private sector employers to offer days off in lieu of earned overtime.
The Working Families...more
On January 20, 2017, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus issued a memorandum addressed to the heads of executive departments and agencies, including the Department of Labor (DOL), instructing them to freeze new or...more
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) new minimum salary rule for the “white collar” exemption may not take effect on December 1, 2016, as scheduled. On November 22, U.S. District Court Judge Amos Mazzant of the Eastern...more
Can employers ask employees to “like” an employer’s Facebook page or “retweet” tweets? According to the newly amended Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act (Act), Illinois employers may be subject to fines and found guilty of...more
On August 19, 2016, Governor Rauner signed HB 6162, the Employee Sick Leave Act (the Act), permitting an employee to use “personal sick leave benefits” for family care purposes. The Act, which takes effect on January 1, 2017,...more
Last week, a major federal law aimed at protecting businesses’ trade secrets overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House of Representatives and appears nearly certain to be signed into law by President Obama. The Defend Trade...more
Last week’s enormous settlements of up to $100 million in class action cases against Uber were reminders of the ongoing opposition to class action and other joint action waivers in arbitration agreements. The same is true of...more
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation over the weekend enacting the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program and making Illinois the first state in the nation to require covered employers to provide employees with...more
Theft of trade secrets is a constant concern for many employers. Congress has listened, and over the course of this year, it has been moving forward with federal legislation aimed at protecting trade secrets. ...more
On Tuesday, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced he signed the Law to Stop Discrimination Against Pregnant Women in the Workplace and thereby expanded workplace protections to job applicants and employees experiencing...more
On Saturday, July 19, 2014, Governor Pat Quinn signed the Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act, making Illinois the fifth state to ban a private employer from requiring disclosure of a criminal history until an...more
7/22/2014
Beginning January 1, 2015, Illinois state law may require Illinois employers employing one or more employees to provide "reasonable accommodations" to part-time and full-time employees, probationary employees, new employees,...more