Illinois GA Cancels Session/Committees Begin Their Work/Bill Introductions

Aaron Harris | Executive Director, Employment Law Council | 312-596-5899

The mission of the Employment Law Council is to effectively represent Illinois employers on employment law issues such as workers compensation, unemployment insurance, employment discrimination, workplace mandates and other management/employee issues. We advocate public policy actions that advance the interests and viewpoints of employers, and to assist in creating a political climate conducive to improving Illinois' ability to create and retain jobs.

The Council accomplishes its mission with the involvement of hundreds of employers who participate in our three committees: Workers' Compensation; Employment Law & Litigation; and Unemployment Insurance. Through the efforts of these committees we develop policies and strategies that are implemented by the Council and Illinois Chamber staff.

View Past Newsletters

Illinois General Assembly Cancels Session/Committees Begin Their Work/Bill Introductions

The Illinois House and Senate both canceled session this week due to the continuing surge in COVID cases and hospitalizations. Both chambers have announced they will cancel session in Springfield next week as well. Committee hearings are being held virtually. Next Friday, January 21^stis the Senate Bill Introduction deadline. Friday, January 28^this the House Bill Introduction deadline.

Important Upcoming Dates:

January 21^st– Senate Introduction of Bills deadline
February 2^nd– Governor’s Budget and State of the State Address
February 10^th– Senate and House Committee Deadline
February 25^th– Senate and House Third Reading Deadline
March 13^th– Candidates for the 2022 Primary and General Election Petition Signature Deadline
March 25^th– Senate and House Committee Deadline
April 1^st– House and Senate Third Reading Deadline
April 8^th– House and Senate Adjournment*

*Please note that the House and Senate are schedule to adjourn on April 8^th

in 2022 and not May 31^stlike past years.

Bills of interest this week

Testing for Cannabis: The House Labor Committee meets on Wednesday to consider HB4116, sponsored by Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Highwood). This measure restricts employer testing for cannabis. Michael Best Strategies’ Illinois lobbying team has been negotiating changes to the legislation with Rep. Morgan. We are hopeful that an amendment will be agreed upon that mitigates much of the concerns Chamber members have with the bill as introduced.

Child Bereavement Leave: Also posted for Labor Committee is HB4215, sponsored by Rep. Maurice West, II (D-Rockford). HB 4215 mandates that employers of 250 or more full-time employees provide up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave for dealing with the death of a child. Employers of 50 to 249 full time employees are required to provide 12 weeks of unpaid leave.

The proposal prevents an employee from using time off for both the new Act and the current Illinois Child Bereavement Leave Act. However, it does not address the potential for stacking the federal FMLA benefits of 12 weeks of unpaid leave.

Scheduling Requirements for Nurses: HB2462, sponsored by Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates) amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act to require that each workday a nurse is required to report for work, based upon a previously approved and distributed work schedule and either (1) does report, but is not put to work, or (2) was directed to not report, the nurse shall be paid for half the usual or scheduled day's work at the nurse's regular rate of pay, which shall not be less than the minimum wage. Applies to nurses who are directed not to report to work and to nurses engaged in telemedicine. Provides that the report-to-work requirement is to be based upon an approved and distributed work schedule. This bill also is set for the House Labor Committee when it meets on Wednesday, January 19 at 2:00 pm.

Lawmakers Announcing 2022 Election Plans

Illinois House members not seeking reelection:

· Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield);

· Greg Harris (D-Chicago); and

· Tom Morrison (R-Palatine).

Illinois House members running for a different office:

· Avery Bourne (R-Litchfield) running for Lt. Governor;

· Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) running for Secretary of State;

· Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) running for Senate;

· Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park) running for DuPage County Board Chair;

· Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) running for Treasurer;

· Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) running for Senate;

· Seth Lewis (R- Bartlett) running for Senate; and

· Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) running for Congress.

Senators not seeking reelection:

· Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake)

· Brian Stewart (R-Freeport.

Senators running for a different office:

Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) running for Governor;

John Connor (D-Joliet) running for judge.

Note: This list is based on media reports/announcements that we have received. We expect more announcements over the coming weeks.

Illinois Capitol Set for $224M Renovation

The elegant sights and sounds of the Capitol will soon be masked by dusty specks of brick and mortar and blaring power tool drills as the 19th century symbol of state government business undergoes a massive renovation this year to meet 21st century needs. It will be the second major construction project on the building in a decade and will force some legislative sessions to find new locations for the next few years, while also being a temporary inconvenience for school groups and other tourists who won’t get to see the historic structure’s full grandeur. The renovation is focused on the building’s north wing and will include an underground parking garage and an underground conference center, and a two-level welcome center for visitors. In addition, there will be updates of everything from heating and cooling systems to plumbing and ventilation.

Connect with the Chamber

Like Us on Facebook

Not a member and want to learn more about the Illinois Chamber click here to contact Lanae Clarke