If an employee tests positive for COVID- 19, their employer should inform other employees in the workplace who may have been exposed. 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. Illinois is a strong union state and just got stronger after voters approved the Workers Rights Amendment in the 2022 midterm election. That led to the passage of a budget, temporary changes to election procedures and little else as Pritzker set pandemic policies through a series of executive orders. The change permits the creation of five cultural districts every year and a total of 15 at any given time. IDES will backdate claims to the first week of unemployment due to the COVID-19-related reason. Yes. 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. This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. 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. 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. All workplace safety policies, including required face coverings, must be applied and enforced equally for all employees in the workplace, except for those employees who have informed the employer of a medical condition or disability that prevents them from safely wearing a face covering. 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. COVID-19. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday morning. The ISP will create a new Violent Crime Intelligence Task Force to conduct enforcement operations against those with revoked FOID cards. 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. Employees who believe they have been retaliated against may want to consider consulting with an attorney. PUA payments end on December 26, 2020. REGION 5 MITIGATIONS Region 5 has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. Ensures any impacted licensed professionals are aiding in the response to the disaster. SB 00154: Allows tenants in Illinois Housing Development Authority-funded housing to keep at least two cats, or one dog that weighs under 50 pounds, regardless of breed or height. Find recently issued legally binding orders and regulations help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help our country cope during the pandemic. RESUMES ADMISSIONS TO IDOC FROM COUNTY JAILS The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) will resume accepting the transfer of individuals from Illinois county jails. HB 00605: Prohibits state institutions from buying Illinois and American flags not produced in the U.S. HB 03027: Allows expectant mothers to use a disabilities motor decal or device for no more than 90 days during their third trimester. The minimum wage in Illinois is set to increase another dollar on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. REGIONS 5, 7, AND 8 TIER 2 MITIGATIONS Region 5 (Southern Illinois) has been under Tier 1 of the state's resurgence mitigation plan since October 22 and Region 7 (Will and Kankakee counties) and Region 8 (Kane and DuPage counties) since October 23, after seeing a 7-day rolling average test positivity rate of 8 percent or above for three consecutive days. SB 01577: Public school students shall be granted up to five days of excused absences for mental or behavioral health, with no medical note required. (COVID-19 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 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. SPRINGFIELD, IL Hundreds of new laws are due to take effect next month in Illinois after legislators returned to lawmaking following the ouster of longtime Speaker Mike Madigan earlier this year. Executive Order 2022-11 (HTML) English Arabic 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. HB 395 changes the Ivory Ban Act into the Animal Parts and Products Ban Act. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending the provisions through February 5, 2022. Workers who have paid out-of-pocket for employer-mandated COVID-19 testing may file a claim with the Illinois Department of Labor and use the box marked Other to describe the amount of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the employee for mandatory COVID-19 testing. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employers may not require a COVID-19 antibody test before allowing employees to return to work. Reissues previous Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic through January 6, 2023. 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. 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. 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 FOUR REOPENING The community revitalization phase safely resumes and expands activities that were paused or limited as COVID-19 cases rose exponentially. All officers in the state will be required to wear them by the beginning of 2025. HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, PROFESSIONALS, AND VOLUNTEERS Defines healthcare facilities, health care professionals and health care volunteers. For general questions about COVID-19 and Illinois' response and guidance, call 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov REGION 6 MITIGATIONS Region 6 East-Central Illinois has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. No. 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. Does not limit the free exercise of religion, and indoor services must not exceed more than 10 people. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. HB 00226: Public universities will now be required to permit students to choose whether they submit ACT and SAT scores when applying for admission. 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. 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. SB 1833 amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law to require the department to come up with criteria and guidelines for the creation of state-designated cultural districts. BBB shares top scams of 2022 . REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through June 26, 2021. As Welch's first year as House speaker comes to a close, new requirements for schools, state ethics rules, criminal justice and animal ownership are among the 296 laws taking effect Jan. 1, according to a list prepared by Senate Democrats. However, if possible, they must try to make reasonable accommodations for an employee who requests one. EXTENDS MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS A person or entity may not commence a residential eviction action. SB 00968: Requires all health insurance plans, the Public Aid Code and public health benefits in Illinois to provide coverage for medically-necessary pancreatic cancer screening. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through May 29, 2021. This law bans latex gloves for the use of handling and preparing food, as well as for emergency responders like paramedics, thus making it safer for people with latex allergies to eat and to receive emergency medical care. CANNABIS APPLICATIONS The deadline for cannabis grower, infuser and transporter license applications is extended, and applicants are now allowed to mail completed applications, rather than submitting in person. READ MORE | Illinois SAFE-T Act 2023: Pritzker signs revised version of controversial bill about cash bail. PHASE THREE REOPENING Safely and conscientiously resumes activities that were paused due to COVID-19. When families of fallen Illinois service members who died during state or federal active duty are honored, their next of kin will be presented an Illinois state flag. Individuals are required to wear a face covering in public places when they are unable to maintain a six-foot social distance, such as in stores. PROFESSIONAL REGULATION LAW Suspends the Secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation from taking certain actions to increase the number of licensed professionals responding to the disaster, to the extent that it limits the Secretarys authority to those working under the direction of IEMA and IDPH. Following Gov. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announces that it is providing a one-time bulk shipment of 1 million over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to K-12 public school districts outside of Chicago for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. 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 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. SB 01624: This bill will add agricultural sciences to the types of courses that can count toward the requirement for three years of science instruction to gain admission to an Illinois public university. CANNABIS REGSITRY INDENTIFICATION RENEWALS Suspends provisions in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act regarding renewal applications and renewal fees for registry identification cards. 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. The director of the Central Management Services Department must ensure that bird mortality is monitored at every state building. 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. Courts are not required grant such requests from state's attorneys. Illinois school employees across the state will receive paid COVID sick leave if they are fully vaccinated under new law signed by Gov. Individuals may leave their homes only for essential activities or for essential operations. SB 00512: The Preventing Youth Vaping Act aims to prevent vaping by children, placing additional restrictions on e-cigarettes, including imposing additional civil and criminal penalties. This Executive Order is effective November 11 and supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. WARNING: Site will be down from 8-12PM CT. INFORMATION: Il.gov is a great site to visit. The amendment to the state constitution to guarantee government employees the right to organize and collectively bargain over terms of employment. Employers are responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and there is nothing in Illinois or federal law that prohibits an employer from requiring a doctors note or COVID-19 test before an employee returns to work. For the third year in a row, low-wage workers are getting a raise as the calendar turns to 2022. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through January 8, 2022. 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. The new state law establishes eviction-sealing provisions for cases filed before and during the coronavirus pandemic and prohibits tenant screening companies from reporting sealed eviction records. Such protected concerted activity generally includes employees talking to one another about working conditions or workplace safety, or engaging in actions, such as petitions or walkouts, to try to improve safety conditions. REGION 7 MITIGATIONS Region 7 has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. Yes. TIER 3 MITIGATIONS In response to the recent surge of cases across Illinois, all regions of the State have triggered additional mitigation strategies. As Illinois continues through the Restore Illinois plan and regional mitigation measures, employers and employees1are navigating difficult questions about how to maintain a safe and healthy workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such holidays are regular school days. It shall not be construed to apply to domestic support obligations or relieving a debtor of any liability.