Amends the Illinois Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Defines "grandfathered health plan". Provides that, except for grandfathered health plans, a health insurance issuer in the individual, small group, or large group market shall not deny coverage to an individual or employer due to the individual's or employer's failure to pay premiums owed under a prior policy, certificate, or contract of insurance. Specifies that nothing in the provisions concerning past-due premiums prohibits a health insurance issuer from pursuing the collection of past-due premiums from an individual or employer by any other means permitted by law. Effective immediately.
Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that an employee who is employed as a first responder and who suffers a serious bodily injury in the course of that employment shall be presumed to be entitled to permanent total disability benefits. Provides that the Workers' Compensation Commission shall accelerate any dispute regarding an employee's continuing entitlement to benefits under the provision.
Amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Provides that it is unlawful to include in any employment contract, or to require an employee to execute as a condition of employment or a work relationship, a contract that: (1) requires the employee to pay an employer, training provider, or debt collector for a debt if the employee's employment or work relationship with a specific employer is terminated; (2) authorizes the employer, training provider, or debt collector to resume or initiate collection of or to end forbearance on a debt if the employee's employment or work relationship with a specific employer is terminated; (3) imposes any penalty, fee, or cost on an employee if the employee's employment or work relationship with a specific employer is terminated. Provides that the provision applies to contracts entered into on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that a contract entered into in violation of the provision is void and unenforceable. Sets forth exceptions. Effective immediately.
Creates the Workplace Extreme Temperature Safety Act. Provides that the Director of Labor shall adopt rules to establish excessive heat and excessive cold standards. Sets forth temporary excessive heat and excessive cold standards. Provides that, on or before January 1, 2026, the Director shall establish by rule an occupational temperature-related illness and injury prevention plan. Sets forth provisions concerning retaliation; violations; penalties; and enforcement of the Act.
Amends the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act. Provides that an employer enrolled in an Employment Eligibility Verification System, including the E-Verify program, shall not impose work authorization verification or re-verification requirements greater than those required by the Employment Eligibility Verification System. Provides that, if an employer receives notification from any federal agency or other outside third party not responsible for the enforcement of immigration law of a discrepancy as it relates to an employee's individual taxpayer identification number or other identifying documents, guarantees specified rights and protections to the employee. Makes changes in provisions concerning the administration and enforcement of the Act by the Department of Labor. Sets forth provisions concerning action for civil penalties brought by an interested party; private right of action; penalties; and review under the Administrative Review Law.
Creates the Educator Health Insurance Task Force to study the feasibility of creating regional health insurance purchasing pools of school districts accessible to all public educators in school districts that have a population of less than 500,000.
Amends the State Universities Civil Service Act. Provides that nothing in the Act or any rules adopted under the Act prevents the parties to a collective bargaining agreement from agreeing to a provision that enhances employee rights. Effective immediately.
Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that the definition of "public works" includes all federal construction projects administered or controlled by a public body if the prevailing rate of wages is equal to or greater than the prevailing wage determination by the United States Secretary of Labor for the same locality for the same type of construction used to classify the federal construction project. Makes a conforming change. Effective July 1, 2025.
Creates the Illinois Workers' Rights and Worker Safety Act. Provides that, except as authorized by State law enacted after January 19, 2025, a State agency may not amend or revise its rules relating to the protection of workers' rights or worker safety in a manner less stringent than specified federal laws. Provides that a State agency may establish workers' rights and worker safety standards that are more stringent than those provided in federal law as the federal law existed on January 19, 2025. Provides that, to the extent a federal law existing on January 19, 2025 is more stringent than a State agency's corresponding standards or rules in its protection of workers' rights or worker safety, or to the extent that there are no State agency standards or rules in place corresponding with a federal law, a State agency shall, as a minimum standard, continue to observe and enforce those workers' rights and worker safety standards provided in federal law as the federal law existed on January 19, 2025. Provides for reporting requirements. Repeals the Act on January 20, 2029.
Amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Makes changes to administrative fees paid to the Department of Labor. Makes changes in provisions concerning the collection of unpaid wages, penalties, damages, fines, and fees. Effective immediately.
