Illinois Labor Laws Update as of Jan 1, 2012

Changes to Illinois’ Equal Pay Act effective Jan 1, 2012

Department issues Advisory Notice for Employers Statewide

Effective January 1, 2012, the state’s Equal Pay Act will further protect workers who file complaints of pay inequity with the Department from interference, discharge and discrimination by increasing the maximum penalty from $2,500 to $5,000.
Click here to learn more.



Changes to Illinois’ Prevailing Wage Act effective Jan 1, 2012

Department issues Prevailing Wage Advisory Notice for Contractors, Municipalities Statewide; Reminds Public Bodies of Prevailing Wage Requirements

On January 1, 2012, a new amendment to the Prevailing Wage Act will go into effect, providing stricter certified payroll record reporting requirements, increasing penalties for willful violations, and expanding law enforcement access to records. For more information, click here.

Project Labor Agreement Reporting

All agencies that enter into project labor agreements are required to submit quarterly reports to the Illinois Department of Labor regarding the number of minorities and females employed under all agreements. The first submission is due by April 30, 2012 for the January 2012-March 2012 quarter.

Click here (pdf) for a copy of the reporting form. (or rtf format)

Workers’ Compensation Collective Bargaining Pilot Program

The Department of Labor is soliciting qualified parties to participate in the Workers’ Compensation Collective Bargaining Pilot Program.

Click here for more information about the Workers’ Compensation Pilot Program.

OSHA issues videos on construction hazards

The videos, available in English and Spanish, cover the following topics: falls, sprains and strains, struck-by accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning, and excavation.

Each video presents a worksite incident based on actual accidents that resulted in worker injury or death, followed by a summary of corrective actions for preventing these types of accidents. Most are animated and are about two to four minutes long.

Videos in English: http://www.osha.gov/dts/vtools/construction.html
Videos in Spanish: http://www.osha.gov/dts/vtools/construction_sp.html
OSHA News Release. Click here to see the news release.

Illinois Department of Labor Issues Safety Tips for Haunted House Enthusiasts

Department Encouraging Residents to Wear Bright Clothing, Follow Safety Rules

"We want to make sure that individuals, who bravely enjoy a good scare at haunted houses, do so safely,” said IDOL Director Joe Costigan. “We urge parents and kids to read safety signs to ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween."

Click here to see the press release.

Enforcement of Laws Protecting Workers

State Labor Department Director Joins Consul General of Mexico and Latino Community Leaders to Mark Labor Rights Week.

On August 23, 2011, Illinois Department of Labor Director Joe Costigan joined the Consuls General of Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala in Chicago to publicize Labor Rights Week, organized by the Mexican Consulate to help Latino workers learn more about their rights and protections under state and federal labor laws. Director Costigan emphasized the need for strong enforcement of state labor laws that require workers to receive fair and timely pay.

Click here to see the press release.

Follow Child Labor Law Requirements

State Reminds Employers and Summer Job Seekers to Follow Child Labor Law Requirements

As working families recover from a difficult economy and many young Illinois teenagers will look for jobs this summer, the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is reminding employers and students under the age of 16 about Illinois’ law that provides protection for children in the workplace.

Click here to see the press release.

Equal Pay Act News

Governor Quinn Proclaims Equal Pay Day in Illinois.

Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed April 12, 2011 as Equal Pay Day in Illinois to increase awareness of the state’s equal pay law and to underscore the importance of pay equity between men and women who do the same or substantially similar work.

Click here to see the press release.

Click here for more information about the Illinois Equal Pay Act.

Construction Apprenticeship Report Available Now!

Under the recently enacted State Construction Minority and Female Building Trades Act, all construction apprenticeship programs in Illinois are required to submit a report to the Illinois Department of Labor concerning the race, gender, ethnicity and national origin of apprentices participating in their programs. The Department has compiled the 2010 Construction Apprenticeship Report, which summarizes the demographic trends of the data received.

Click here for the Construction Apprenticeship Report

Wage Theft

Department of Labor Implements New Law to Help Illinois Workers Recover Unpaid Wages Quicker

On July 30th, 2010, Governor Quinn signed a bill into law to increase protections for Illinois workers who are not paid the wages they have earned. The new law amends existing state law to help thousands of Illinois workers recover unpaid wages more quickly. 

In order to implement the new process, the Department filed identical emergency and proposed rules on February 22. Emergency rules are effective for a total of 150 days. To view the emergency rule, please click on the link below.

Click here to see the emergency rule.

Click here to see the employer notice.

Click here to see the advisory notice.

Click here to see the fact sheet.

Equal Pay Act and Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act Rule Changes

The Department has amended the Equal Pay Act and Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) administrative rules to reflect recent statutory and administrative changes.

On December 3, 2010, new regulations took effect under the Equal Pay Act to implement statutory record retention requirements and filing deadlines for complaints filed under the Act, as well as streamline notice provisions and provide confidentiality for individuals filing complaints with the Department.  Additionally, VESSA rules were amended to implement a statutory change that provides VESSA coverage to individuals working for employers with 15 or more employees (rather than those with 50 or more employees).

Click here for a copy of the updated Equal Pay Act rules.

Click here for a copy of the updated Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act rules.

ADDRESS CHANGED NOTIFICATION:

The Department of Labor Springfield Office relocated.  As of November 1, 2010, all correspondence should be sent to the new location:

Department of Labor
900 South Spring Street
Springfield, IL 62704

Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act News

State Labor Department Director Highlights Law that Protects Victims of Domestic Violence in the Workplace.

As October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Illinois Department of Labor Director Catherine Shannon spoke at a press conference earlier today to highlight the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA), a law that provides workplace protections to victims of domestic or sexual violence.

Click here to see the Press Release.

Click here to see Governor Quinn’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation for Illinois

Read more about the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act

Wage Theft

Governor Quinn Signs Bill to Increase Wage Protections for Thousands of Illinois Workers.

Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill into law to increase protections for Illinois workers who are not paid the wages they have earned. The new law amends existing state law to help thousands of Illinois workers recover unpaid wages more quickly. 

Click here to see the Governor’s Press Release.

Click here for the fact sheet.

Minimum Wage News

Illinois’ Minimum Wage Increases to $8.25.

Governor Quinn reminds Illinois employers and workers that the state’s minimum wage increases to $8.25 an hour starting on July 1, 2010.

Click here to see the Governor’s Press Release

Click here to see Public Act 94-1072

Click here to see the Illinois Hourly Minimum Wage Rates by Year

Illinois Preference Act News

Governor Quinn signs legislation to enhance Illinois’ Preference Act and boost the employment of Illinois construction workers.

On June 16, 2010, Governor Quinn signed HB 6349 (Public Act 96-929) which is aimed at enhancing the Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act, commonly referred to as the Illinois Preference Act. HB 6349 requires contractors on state public works projects to employ a workforce comprised of at least 90% Illinois residents during periods of excessive unemployment.

Click here to see Advisory Notice (PDF)

Read more about the Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act.

Illinois State Plan News

OSHA Assistant Secretary Joins Illinois Department of Labor to Recognize Illinois as OSHA State Plan

March 24, 2010 - The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) welcomed U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels to celebrate Illinois’ approval as an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) State Plan. Additionally, the State announced new health and safety outreach program to enhance safety and health for one million public employees.

Click here to see the press release (PDF)

Link to the video of the press conference

Click here for more information

Public Act 093-0912, Employer Notice of Change

This law amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Employers may not ask if an applicant had a juvenile record expunged and that application for employment must contain specific language that states that the applicant is not obligated to disclose expunged juvenile records of arrest or conviction. PB 093-0912 (PDF file) or in web format at PB 093-0912 on Legislature Web Site.