SB 02354: Students can now take one year of forensic speech and debate in high school as a substitute for music, art or foreign language requirements. All schools shall make remote instruction available. Legal Update | Illinois Bars Use of Right of Conscience Law to The ISP can now issue combined FOID and CCL cards to qualified applicants. The minimum wage in Illinois is set to increase another dollar on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. Chicago mayor's race shows impact of crime in COVID's wake Executive Order 2022-04 - coronavirus.illinois.gov All Rights Reserved. All state, county, and local law enforcement officers are instructed to cease enforcement of orders of eviction for residential premises. Employees are an integral part of an effective workplace safety plan as they are often in the best position to identify hazards in a particular area or job. A precondition for PUA approval is that someone is not eligible for any other unemployment programs. All state agencies must submit annual reports showing how they have worked to increase the diversity of their workforce. REGIONS 3 MITIGATIONS Region 3, West-Central Illinois, has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. 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. The SAFE-T Act also requires that all Illinois police officers wear body cameras by 2025, establishes a more defined system for police complaints, and requires more law enforcement training. PHASE THREE REOPENING Safely and conscientiously resumes activities that were paused due to COVID-19. 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. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through July 24, 2021. This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. Reissues previous Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. . However, if possible, they must try to make reasonable accommodations for an employee who requests one. Illinois Adopts New Public Employer Rules on Federal OSHA's COVID-19 As discussed in this guidance, various provisions of federal and state law prohibit retaliation against employees for raising safety and health concerns. Related: Illinois First State To Mandate Asian American History In Schools. SUSPENDS ADMISSIONS TO IDOC FROM COUNTY JAILS Admissions to the Illinois Department of Corrections from all Illinois county jails are suspended, except at the discretion of the Director of the Illinois Department of Corrections for limited essential transfers. It will soon be a new year, and that means that new laws are set to go into effect, with nearly 300 new measures beginning on Jan. 1. Employers may not require employees to disclose if they are at higher risk for COVID- 19 or have a health condition. . Among other things, they are not considered able and available to work under unemployment insurance law. This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. Therefore, the regions will move out of Tier 3 of the States Mitigation Plan and into the less restrictive Tier 2, effective January 15, 2021. The employer should discuss the request with the employee to determine whether the requested accommodation, or another accommodation, can be provided. Also suspends the requirement that the Department must approve or deny an application for a medical or adult use cannabis cultivation center agent identification card within a certain amount of days. All employees are entitled to their promised wages for all hours of work performed, regardless of immigration status. Re-issues former executive orders to protect individuals and businesses from the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus. Amends Executive Order 2022-06 and establishes that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, shall continue to be required to wear a face covering (1) where federally required; (2) in congregate facilities such as correctional facilities and homeless shelters; and (3) in healthcare settings. REVISES ELECTIVE SURGERIES Defines and renders assistance in support of the States response to hospitals, health care facilities, health care professionals, and health care volunteers. Employers are prohibited, by the IHRA and federal law, from treating employees differently based on race or national origin. 2019: Illinois governor signs . Requests for accommodations should be evaluated and resolved on a case-by-case basis. Gov. Pritzker Announces Change to COVID-19 Requirements in Illinois January 13, 2022. This Executive Order supersedes Executive Order 43. REGION 6 MITIGATIONS Region 6 East-Central Illinois has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. Individuals may leave their homes only for essential activities or for essential operations. MASK REQUIREMENT FOR SCHOOLS AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILTIES Requires masks for students, teachers, and staff at pre-kindergarten-12th grade schools and day cares, consistent with the CDC guidance. 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. Schools must provide remote learning to students who are excluded. 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. Per the Governors Executive Orders, an employer can require employees to use protective gear, including masks or face coverings. 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. New Illinois law will give teachers paid sick leave for COVID-19 Employers may not ask about an employees family members health information, but may ask employees whether they have had contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with, or is experiencing symptoms of, COVID-19. Tier 3 Mitigations aim to limit gatherings and encourage people to stay home to the greatest extent possible, while allowing most industries to continue operating at significantly reduced levels. If two or more employees report having COVID-19 related symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, the employer must notify their local health department within 24 hours of being informed of the presence of COVID-19 symptoms or positive test results. Reissues previous Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic through December 9, 2022. PHASE FOUR REOPENING The community revitalization phase safely resumes and expands activities that were paused or limited as COVID-19 cases rose exponentially. 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. Reissues previous Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic through October 15, 2022. The EEOC has issued guidance stating that due to the acknowledgment of COVID-19 community spread by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health authorities, employers may take employees temperatures. According to the Kankakee County State's Attorney, the ruling means the pre-trial release and bail reforms will not. Courts are not required grant such requests from state's attorneys. 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 November 1, 2020. HB 395 changes the Ivory Ban Act into the Animal Parts and Products Ban Act. 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. JB Pritzker signed into law a proposal that gives teachers and other school workers paid administrative leave if they are forced to stay home with COVID-19 or if a family . 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. 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. SUSPENDS PROVISIONS IN THE ILLINOIS VEHICLE CODE Suspends the repossession of vehicles; however, individuals must still comply with any obligation they may have to a loan agreement or otherwise. TIER 3 MITIGATIONS In response to the recent surge of cases across Illinois, all regions of the State have triggered additional mitigation strategies. 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. 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. The Office of the Illinois Attorney General has issued more detailed guidance on the FFCRA and paid sick leave. The determination of whether work is suitable and whether there is good cause for refusing it is made on a case- by-case basis through the Illinois Department of Employment Securitys (IDES) hearing andadjudication process. Court Operations: The Winnebago County and Boone County Courts are hearing all matters pursuant to the provisions set forth in Administrative Order 2022-12 and General Order 1.03. . The law does not apply to tobacco cessation products or cannabis paraphernalia. Illinois reported 735 new COVID cases and 0 related deaths Monday as statewide seven-day test positivity dropped to 1.5%. Illinois is a strong union state and just got stronger after voters approved the Workers Rights Amendment in the 2022 midterm election. Any information collected in cases where no criminal charges are filed must be destroyed within 60 days unless there is reasonable suspicion that it contains evidence or a crime or unless it is deemed relevant to an ongoing investigation. PDF NEWS - Illinois HB 00155 and HB 00310: Provides that SNAP and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Childrens Programs may use their benefits to purchase menstrual hygiene products. During the COVID- 19 pandemic, employers may ask employees who work on-site if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath. SCHOOL SAFETY Schools must take specific measures to ensure the safety of students and schools, including investigating the occurrence of cases, close contacts, and symptomatic individuals. Additional frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and unemployment insurance are available on the IDES website. Earlier: 3 New Laws Take Effect In Illinois In 2021, Down From Over 250. PHASE FIVE REOPENING - Safely and conscientiously expands activities that were limited during the prior mitigation Phases of the States response to the COVID-19 pandemic, consistent with CDC guidance. READ MORE: Jelani Day's family looking for answers after missing ISU student found dead. Yes. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through June 26, 2021. Illinois' COVID-19 Response. ON NOW. Rescinds Executive Order 2020-13. 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 November 4, 2020. The change permits the creation of five cultural districts every year and a total of 15 at any given time. BBB shares top scams of 2022 . The director of the Central Management Services Department must ensure that bird mortality is monitored at every state building. This guidance is intended to help both employers and employees educate themselves about minimum required workplace safety requirements, as well as best practices to promote a safe and well-functioning workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide guidance on some frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and the workplace. Illinois SAFE-T Act 2023: Pritzker signs revised version of controversial bill about cash bail, the portion of the SAFE-T Act that ends cash bail in Illinois is unconstitutional. If an employee affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or a pregnancy-related medical condition requests a job modification or adjustment such as telecommuting or staggering schedules, the employer must provide the accommodation unless it would pose an undue hardship on the business. 106) May 27, 2022 WHEREAS, since early March 2020, Illinois has faced a pandemic that has caused extraordinary sickness and loss of life, infecting over 3,280,000, and taking the lives of more than 33,700 residents; and, REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through April 30, 2022. The Lifting Up Illinois Working Families Act has raised the minimum wage several times, with the ultimate goal of lifting it to $15 an hour. Nearly 300 new laws will take effect in Illinois at the start of the new year. The federal Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act of 2004 allows retirees - up to 10,000 in Illinois - who spent at least 10 years as law enforcement officers with arrest powers to carry concealed . 265, 268 and 42 C.F.R. During a public health crisis such as COVID-19, there is a heightened potential for fear, stigma, and discrimination. Executive Order 2022-13 - illinois.gov 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. Specific federal, state, and local protections against retaliation include: Yes. 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. 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.) In response, additional public health restrictions and mitigations are instituted for Region 1, such as a tighter gathering cap of 10 individuals rather than 25 and new table caps of six rather than 10 at restaurants and bars. Working from home may be a reasonable accommodation under some circumstances. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending the provisions through February 5, 2022. SB 01673: Changes the Animal Control Act to remove the terms spayed and neutered and replace them with the word sterilized.. Instead, a verbal attestation documented by the State constitutes a valid signature. For example, employers should consider staggering shifts or designating groups of employees to consistently work on the same days and times as each other. Chicago-based employees may. Generally, individuals currently receiving paid leave are not eligible for unemployment insurance. New Tennessee law further limits federal vaccine mandates To promote scheduling consistency, employers should give employees the opportunity to provide input on their preferred schedule. Such holidays are regular school days. REGION 1 TIER 2 MITIGATIONS Mitigation measures were initially implemented in Region 1 on October 3, 2020. HB 00168: Prohibits individuals from possessing animals if theyve been convicted of two or more specified animal-related offenses. The following are recommended prevention strategies that recognize that while the state of Illinois has made substantial progress in . WHEREAS, on October 14, 2022, considering the expected continuing spread of COVID-19 and the ongoing health and economic impacts that will be felt over the coming month by people across the State, I declared all counties in the State of Illinois as a disaster area; and, To better protect survivors, this law allows anyone to file for a protective order at any time by email or online in addition to the in-person option. 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. Requires face coverings for all Illinois residents over age 2 in indoor settings beginning Monday, August 30, 2021. This Executive Order supersedes EO 2021-24 and EO 2021-25. For the third year in a row, low-wage workers are getting a raise as the calendar turns to 2022. 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. The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) investigates charges of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation filed under the IHRA. Nearly 300 new Illinois laws take effect Jan. 1. Here's some of - WREX National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Grant Accountability and Transparency (GATA). More information about coronavirus waivers and flexibilities is available on . REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending the provisions through March 5, 2022. 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. Published September 15, 2022 Updated on September 15, 2022 at 4:17 pm NBC Universal, Inc. Illinois Gov. The cash bail provision became a hallmark campaign issue in the race of Illinois governor and state attorney general. PUA payments end on December 26, 2020. All officers in the state will be required to wear them by the beginning of 2025. HB 00734: Provides that the duration of a civil no contact order will become permanent, upon the survivors request, upon a conviction for criminal sexual assault. HB 00033: Prohibits companies from denying life insurance coverage based on a person participating in substance use treatment or recovery support programs. Hundreds of new laws coming to Illinois Jan. 1, 2022 - FOX 2 His new campaign message, concentrated on citizens' safety and support for the police . . HB 00122: Ends early termination fees for customers of telephone, cellphone, television, internet, energy, medical alert system or water services who die before the end of their contracts. HB 2790 allows public defenders to provide legal representation for non-citizens facing deportation in immigration court, but only in Cook County. This year, the minimum wage will increase to $12 per hour. Laws and Regulations - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ESSENTIAL HUMAN SERVICES OPERATIONS Individuals may leave their residence to work for or obtain any Human Services Operations, such as adoption agencies, long-term care facilities, residential settings for individuals with disabilities and day care centers for children of essential employees. Suspends the requirement that a fully executed marriage license must be submitted to the county clerk within 10 days. HB 02589: Expands the use and reimbursement of dispensing opioid antagonists to prevent overdose deaths and improves treatment services for substance use disorders. Business can continue with employees working from home. The department must also increase counseling opportunities and dedicate staff to helping people who owe money for child support. Suspends the provision that no license of a funeral director intern shall be renewed more than twice and suspends the requirement that the transportation of deceased human remains must be under the immediate direct supervision of a licensee. Employers should develop a workplace safety plan as a way of identifying and addressing risks. Individuals who refuse an offer of suitable work are disqualified from receiving unemployment insurance unless there is good cause for the refusal. SB 1879 amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code to ban fishing for carp, catfish, buffalo, suckers, gar, bowfin, shad and drum with a pitchfork, spear gun, bow and arrow, slingshot bow, spear or gig on or across from any public right of way or highway in the state. Those that continue to cancel or postpone all elective surgeries or procedures, or begin elective surgeries on or after May 11th, in order to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak shall be immune from civil liability for any alleged injury or death relating to COVID-19. This Executive Order is effective October 25 and supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. SB 817, also known as the Jett Hawkins Law, forbids public or private schools from applying school uniform or dress codes to hairstyles and requires the state board of education to provide hairstyle resource materials to schools. HB 03445: A person who seeks medical assistance for an opioid overdose will have immunity from prosecution for possession. SUSPENDS PROVISIONS IN THE ILLINOIS SCHOOL CODE Suspends requirements on the administration of assessments, school terms, and the calculation of daily pupil attendance. Alert Message: Anyone, 6 months of age and older, is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. HB 3914, the Positive Action Act, requires the director of the Central Management Services Department to strive to identify and modify laws and policies that make it harder for minorities and marginalized people to get state jobs. The IHRA and federal law prohibit employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of a disability or perceived disability. IDES will backdate claims to the first week of unemployment due to the COVID-19-related reason.