Category Archives: Employment

Illinois Paid Leave Act Will Require Illinois Employers To Provide Paid Leave Beginning January 1, 2024

Beginning on January 1, 2024, the Illinois Paid Leave Act (PLA) will require Illinois employers with more than 50 employees to provide paid leave to employees, which the employees may use “for any reason of the employee’s choosing.” Under the … Continue reading

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Employee Retention Tax Credit May Provide Significant Pandemic-Related Tax Credits

PPP Loans are not the only relief the federal government is offering to businesses adversely affected by the pandemic. Under the CARES Act and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, employers may qualify for Employee Retention Credits (“ERC”) of … Continue reading

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Illinois Employers Must Provide
Sexual Harassment Training By December 31, 2020

On January 1, 2021, an amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act takes effect, requiring all Illinois employers to provide sexual harassment training to employees. Restaurants and bars will be subject to additional, industry-specific mandates in the new year, which … Continue reading

Posted in Anti-Harassment, Business and Corporate, Employee Handbook, Employment, Illinois Human Rights Act, Restaurant, Time's Up | Leave a comment

Supreme Court Rules Federal Employment Laws Protect LGBTQ Employees From Discrimination

On June 15, 2020, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This decision resolves a longstanding … Continue reading

Posted in Anti-Harassment, Business and Corporate, Employee Handbook, Employment, Sexual Harassment | Leave a comment

COVID-19 Guidance for Retail Businesses Entering Phase III

On June 3, 2020, Chicago joined the rest of Illinois by moving to Phase III of the State’s plan to reopen the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this recovery phase, certain industries are allowed to reopen or expand their … Continue reading

Posted in Coronavirus, COVID-19, Employee Handbook, Employment, Franchise, Restaurant | Leave a comment

Update: New Illinois Employment Laws Take Effect in 2020

Governor J.B. Pritzker has enacted several sweeping employment laws that will take effect starting at the beginning of 2020. A brief summary of the extensive changes are listed below: Workplace Transparency Act The Workplace Transparency Act (WTA) will take effect January … Continue reading

Posted in Employee Handbook, Employment, Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act, Illinois Human Rights Act, MeToo, Restaurant, Sexual Harassment, Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act, Workplace Transparency Act | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recent Amendment to Illinois Equal Pay Act Prohibits Salary History Questions

The No Salary History law, which takes effect September 29, 2019, prohibits Illinois employers from asking job applicants about their salary history. The law amends the 2003 Equal Pay Act, which made it illegal to pay employees differently based on their … Continue reading

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Illinois Employers: Register for Secure Choice by November 1

In November 2018, Illinois enacted a law requiring employers to provide a state-run retirement program to their private sector employees, known as the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act (Secure Choice). The Illinois legislature describes Secure Choice as a “simple … Continue reading

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Independent Contractors or Employees?: An Über Question

In an advice memo released on May 14th, theNational Labor Relations Board (NLRB) concluded that Uber drivers are independent contractors, not employees. This classification means that under federal labor laws, Uber drivers will be virtually unable to unionize, participate in workplace … Continue reading

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Minimum Wage Changes in Illinois

In February, Governor JB Pritzker signed a piece of legislation that will set Illinois on track to reach a statewide minimum wage of $15.00 by 2025. To mitigate the effect this change has on small employers, the law allows employers … Continue reading

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