More information about coronavirus waivers and flexibilities is available on . Other potential accommodations could include moving the employees workstation to a less crowded or better ventilated area or re-examining job duties to minimize interaction with other coworkers or members of the public. A new law takes effect giving students up to five days off for mental health. Also new to Illinois schools in 2022, a law prohibiting rules regarding hairstyles such as braids and twists. HB 395 changes the Ivory Ban Act into the Animal Parts and Products Ban Act. PUA payments are available for claimants who lost work due to specific COVID-19 related reasons provided for in the federal law beginning the week of February 2, 2020. This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. Yes. SB 02122: Provides that statements provided by minors are inadmissible as evidence if obtained using deceptive practices. Illinois is a strong union state and just got stronger after voters approved the Workers Rights Amendment in the 2022 midterm election. PHASE FOUR REOPENING The community revitalization phase safely resumes and expands activities that were paused or limited as COVID-19 cases rose exponentially. All Rights Reserved. Employees who believe that they have been retaliated against for opposing unlawful discrimination can file or amend a charge using the, The federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 protects private sector employees who raise safety and health concerns with their employer or a government agency. RELATED | Voters passed the workers' rights amendment in the 2022 election; what does that mean for Illinois? SB 1846 amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish a requirement that the default beverage for kids' meals at restaurants is unsweetened water, juice or milk. Requests for accommodations should be evaluated and resolved on a case-by-case basis. Employers are further prohibited from retaliating against an employee when the employee discloses information that they have reasonable cause to believe is a violation of a state or federal law, rule, or regulation. Employers should develop a workplace safety plan as a way of identifying and addressing risks. WARNING: Site will be down from 8-12PM CT. INFORMATION: Il.gov is a great site to visit. It will soon be a new year, and that means that new laws are set to go into effect, with nearly 300. An employee experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should seek a test, notify their employer, and stay home while awaiting tests results. Extends the suspension of on-site learning in K-12 schools, with schools transitioning from Act of God Days to Remote Learning Days. This law allows women who have a miscarriage, still birth, or other diagnosis or event that impacts pregnancy or fertility to take 10 days of unpaid leave. Statewide, the minimum wage increases by $1 to $12 per hour as part of a measure approved in 2019,. All schools must follow IDPH and ISBE health guidelines, including using PPE, temperature checks, hygienic practices, social distancing, and limiting people to 50 or fewer in one space. The following measures are not currently legal requirements, but steps employers are encouraged to take to promote a healthy work environment and to limit the spread of COVID- 19. 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. Health care facilities, professionals, and volunteers are immune from civil liability for any injury or death alleged, unless caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS Reissues most executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through January 9, 2021. This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. New law signed by Pritzker will allow employers to mandate COVID vaccinations in IL By Peter Hancock Published November 10, 2021 at 11:25 AM CST Blueroomstream.com Gov. Individuals must continue to practice social distancing, maintaining at least a six-foot distance, and wear a face covering in public places or when working. In general, individuals not authorized to work in the United States are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits or benefits under the PUA. It will increase $1 per hour every year until it reaches $15 an hour. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against an employee for raising concerns about COVID-19, or their overall safety and health, either internally or to a government agency. The order expands the use of available emergency relief dollars for Illinois utility customers currently at risk of service disconnections following the end of the winter moratorium, and maximizes the number of households eligible for relief. Yes. Employees who have a medical condition or disability that prevents them from safely wearing a face covering may seek a reasonable accommodation from these requirements. To report a possible COVID-19 outbreak, or if you have a concern that your workplace is not following public health rules regarding face coverings and/or capacity limits, please contact your local health department. State law prohibits an employer from requiring an employee to pay for the cost of medical examinations or records that the employer requires as a condition (or precondition) of employment. Also new to Illinois schools in 2022, a law prohibiting rules regarding hairstyles such as braids and. In response, public health restrictions and mitigations are implemented for Region 5, comprised of Marion, Jefferson, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, Perry, Jackson, Franklin, Williamson, Saline, Hamilton, White, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Massac, and Pulaski counties, for restaurants and bars, meetings and social events, gaming and casinos and for all workplaces, effective October 22, 2020. Suspends certain requirements, including the need for an adult use cannabis dispensing organization agent to obtain an agent identification card from IDFPR prior to beginning work at a dispensary and the need for a medical or adult use cannabis dispensing organization agent to keep an agent identification card visible at all times when in the dispensary. Suspends requiring the director of any State facility in custody of an unclaimed cadaver to donate the cadaver to a qualified medical science institution for the advancement of medical science, for cadavers testing positive for COVID-19. Employees should not come to work, nor should their employer require them to come to work if they have had a positive test or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. These laws also protect employees from retaliation when they engage in conduct to oppose discrimination or harassment, or when they raise safety and health concerns with their employer or coworkers. Among other things, they are not considered able and available to work under unemployment insurance law. SB 539 includes amendments to Illinois Governmental Ethics Act and the Lobbyist Registration Act touted as ethics reforms by members of the Democratic Party's legislative supermajority . No. Under the Illinois school code, teachers receive a minimum of 10 sick days per year in line with national averages, according to the National Center for Teacher Quality . HB 2790 allows public defenders to provide legal representation for non-citizens facing deportation in immigration court, but only in Cook County. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS Reissues most executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through February 6, 2021. Illinois' COVID-19 Response. Outlines vaccine and testing requirements for healthcare workers, school personnel, higher education, and state-owned or operated congregate living facilities. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE Suspends the requirement that an applicant for public assistance must provide an audio recording of their verbal attestation during a telephone application for public assistance benefits. After a 2019 law, the state minimum wage in Illinois increases to $12 an hour on Jan. 1, 2022. The amendment passed with more than 50% support from the overall vote in the midterm. CANNABIS REQUIREMENTS Suspends the requirement that IDFPR issue up to 75 Conditional Adult Use Dispensing Organization Licenses before May 1, 2020. For the third year in a row, low-wage workers are getting a raise as the calendar turns to 2022. Eligible employees can receive up to 26 weeks worth of regular state unemployment insurance and, depending on the unemployment rate, Extended Benefits may be available for an additional 13 or 20 weeks. Voters passed the workers' rights amendment in the 2022 election; what does that mean for Illinois? REGIONS 11 MITIGATIONS Region 11, the City of Chicago, has triggered both a sustained increase in COVID-19 related hospitalizations over the last 10 days and averaged greater than or equal to an 8 percent positivity rate for three consecutive days. LARGE GATHERINGS Gatherings of 1,000 or more people are prohibited, including concerts, conferences and sporting events as well as closes the James R. Thompson Center to the public, except for necessary state business. 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. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues most executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through May 1, 2021. Employees who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 can be asked to leave the workplace and stay at home until it has been 10 days since their symptoms first appeared and 24 hours with no fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) and other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving.3An employee with a medical condition that causes symptoms similar to COVID-19 may provide their employer with medical documentation that their symptoms are due to a different condition in order to continue reporting to work. CHICAGO (WLS) -- With the start of the New Year, there is always a new set of laws going into effect. One of the most comprehensive, and likely the most contentious, laws to be signed into law this year was the Illinois SAFE-T Act, a massive criminal justice reform legislative package updating rules governing jail time while awaiting trial and the use of force by police. Under the Child Care Act of 1969, the definition of child is suspended to ensure those who are 18 years or older can remain in their placement. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday morning. Public employees who believe they have been retaliated against may file a. SB 00119: Public health departments at the state and local level may not regulate the sale of lemonade or other non-alcoholic drinks or mixed beverages by a person under the age of 16. Dozens of other states have similar laws on the books. Days before the SAFE-T Act was set to take effect, a Kankakee County judge ruled that the portion of the SAFE-T Act that ends cash bail in Illinois is unconstitutional. HB 03445: A person who seeks medical assistance for an opioid overdose will have immunity from prosecution for possession. However, masks are still required for everyone in healthcare settings, in congregate settings and on transit. New Illinois Laws For 2022 Include First-In-Nation Legislation Bills taking effect next month create new rules for school districts, limit police from lying to children and establish a. Schools must follow IDPH guidance and all schools may continue to provide food and other non-educational services. If an employee tests positive for COVID- 19, their employer should inform other employees in the workplace who may have been exposed. AMENDS EXECUTIVE ORDER 24 - Makes specific amendments to Executive Order 2021-24, to provide more detail regarding the measures schools must take to ensure the safety of students and school personnel. From Fairgrounds To Museums, Explore The Unique History of Springfield, Camp I Am Me Highlights Burn Awareness Week, T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week, Dentists - Opportunities Springing Up All Over IL, Springfield Area Pets Up For Adoption: Pharaoh, Jawa, Layla & More, Springfield Job Listings: See Who's Hiring In The Area, 5 New Springfield Area Properties On The Market. HB 576 amends the School Code to allow for up to five days of excused mental or behavioral health absence for students without the need to provide a medical note. J.B. Pritzker's COVID-19 disaster declaration last year, Madigan opted to convene the Illinois House for a just single four-day emergency session. Employees can contact their local health department or IDPH at 1-800-889-3931 or by emailing [email protected]. The new wage will be $12 an hour. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues most executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through October 17, 2020. Schools must provide remote learning to students who are excluded. No. However, the positivity rate has continued to significantly increase in these regions. HB 572 amends the Sales Finance Agency Act to invalidate any financing, retail installment contract or loan for the purchase of a cat or a dog. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employers may not require a COVID-19 antibody test before allowing employees to return to work. There is currently no state or federal law that provides job protection to a healthy employee who refuses to work out of fear of contracting COVID-19. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS Reissues most executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through July 26, 2020. The amendments also clarified other controversial elements of the bill, including that police can still arrest someone for trespassing, and that judges can issue arrest warrants when someone misses court. 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. Permits service of pleadings to be conducted personally, by first-class mail, or by electronic mail. The director of the Central Management Services Department must ensure that bird mortality is monitored at every state building. JB Pritzker in December expanded the list of detainable offenses and included some non-violent crimes. Requires schools to exclude students and school personnel who are confirmed cases, probable cases, or close contacts. You shouldn't be on the hook for tickets when your car gets stolen. VARIOUS PROVISIONS Suspends the date of each townships annual meeting for calendar year 2020. CLARIFIES CEASING EVICTIONS Defines State Agency. Prohibits residential eviction actions and all law enforcement officers are instructed to cease enforcing evictions for non-residential premises, unless the tenant poses a threat. This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. The employer should also notify its employees that there has been a confirmed COVID-19 case in the workplace, while keeping the name of the sick employee confidential. REGIONS 9 MITIGATIONS Region 9, Lake and McHenry counties, has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. RESTAURANTS & BARS Beginning March 16 at 9 p.m., bars and restaurants must suspend on-premises consumption, but are permitted to continue delivery service, drive-through and curbside pick-up. HB 796, an amendment to the Public University Uniform Admission Pilot Program Act, requires that the University of Illinois establish a four-year pilot program guaranteeing that all applicants who speak English proficiently, graduated high school and attended community college in Illinois and earned at least 36 credits with a grade point average of at least 3.0 be allowed to attend. 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. COVID-19. SB 00139: Allows a person currently married to request a copy of their marriage license with the term spouse rather than any gender-identifying language. There were no federal stimulus checks in 2022, but at least 22 states gave money back to residents -- primarily in the form of income and property tax rebates, child tax credits and direct relief . HB 03739: Creates the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act to establish timelines and requirements for the removal and replacement of all lead service lines in Illinois. IN-PERSON LEARNING All public and nonpublic schools in Illinois serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students may open for in-person learning after the regular 2019-2020 school term. HB 2553 establishes the Protecting Household Privacy Act, which forbids law enforcement agencies from obtaining data collected, stored or shared by household electronic devices without a warrant, a court order, the permission of the owner or in an emergency situation. Here are 25 of the most notable new pieces of legislation: SB 633 amends the School Code by adding a requirement that school districts must include data on the number of incidents of violence that occurred on school grounds or during school-related activities in their annual report cards starting with the 2022-23 school year. More information on the use of face coverings is available on the Illinois Department of Human Rights website. In response, public health restrictions and mitigations are instituted for Region 1, comprised of Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties, for restaurants and bars, meetings and social events, gaming and casinos and for all workplaces, effective October 3, 2020. Federal and Illinois law require employers to maintain a safe and healthy workplace. To promote scheduling consistency, employers should give employees the opportunity to provide input on their preferred schedule. HB 00376: Requires every elementary and high school to add a unit of instruction on the events and contributions of Asian Americans in Illinois and the U.S. HB 00709: Requires the Department of Human Services to educate immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and other non-residents of their rights under the U.S. Constitution and Illinois law. MODIFIES REGIONAL MITIGATION METRICS Defines the metrics for any of the 11 regions to move to less or more restrictive mitigation measures. According to the Kankakee County State's Attorney, the ruling means the pre-trial release and bail reforms will not. Applying for and being denied benefits under the regular unemployment insurance program is the first step to establishing eligibility under PUA. SB 01682: Requires pharmacies to post a notice informing consumers that they may request current pharmacy retail prices at the point of sale. Schools no longer can crack down on nonwhite hairstyles, and they must do more to protect children from sexual misconduct. 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. All non-essential business and operations must cease, aside from Minimum Basic Operations. Outlines public health requirements for individuals, businesses, retail stores, manufacturers, office buildings, restaurants and bars, gyms, personal service facilities, youth sports, and public amusement. Unsigned applications for public assistance received by mail can be signed by a verbal attestation by telephone. The law will also restore sick days used during the 2021-2022 school year. Reissues previous Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. CHICAGO A slate of new city, county and state laws in 2022 will affect education, criminal justice, deportation and eating out for Chicagoans. Here's a look at some of the most interesting laws set to go into effect. NEW STAY AT HOME ORDER This new order allows Illinoisans to leave their home for essential activities, including for health and safety, for necessary supplies and services, for outdoor activity, for certain types of work, to take care of others, and to engage in the free exercise of religion, but otherwise requires them to stay at home or their place of residence to prevent spread of COVID-19.