Labor & Employment

passed · Illinois · House May 30, 2026

HR 741: FARMWORKERS DAY

Declares March 31, 2026 as Farmworkers Day in the State of Illinois in recognition of the essential contributions and sacrifices of farmworkers past and present. Recognizes the multiracial, intergenerational coalition of workers, including men, women, and children, whose collective action transformed labor rights in this country. Honors the courage, resilience, and contributions of farmworkers in the State of Illinois and across the United States.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill honors farmworkers' contributions to labor rights, recognizing their role in advancing worker protections and collective action.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Illinois · House May 28, 2026

HB 2961: BEST INTEREST OF THE STATE ACT

Creates the Best Interest of the State Act. Provides that any collective bargaining unit, contractor, or subcontractor participating in a project labor agreement shall satisfy specified requirements to promote racial inclusion, diversity, and equity. Contains provisions concerning prequalification of collective bargaining units, contractors, and subcontractors; the determination of the demographic make-up of counties; complaints to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion; and penalties. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Local Construction Training and Development Fund. Amends the Project Labor Agreements Act and the Commission on Equity and Inclusion Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires diversity/equity in collective bargaining units and project labor agreements, strengthening worker representation and rights under labor/employment policy.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Illinois · House May 26, 2026

HB 4791: SMART START GRANTS-HEAD START

Amends the Smart Start Illinois Act. Expands eligibility under the Smart Start Child Care Workforce Compensation Program to Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands eligibility for Head Start/Early Head Start workforce compensation, increasing funding access for early childhood education programs.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workforce compensation program eligibility to Head Start childcare workers, directly supporting wage benefits for this employment sector.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Illinois · House May 21, 2026

HB 2490: FIREFIGHTER PAID FAMILY LEAVE

Creates the Firefighter Paid Family Leave Act. Provides that a firefighter shall receive 6 weeks of paid family leave that may be used: (1) for the birth of a child in order to care for the child; (2) to care for a newly adopted child under 18 years of age, a newly placed foster child under 18 years of age, or a newly adopted or placed foster child older than 18 years of age if the child is incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability; and (3) to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Provides that an employer shall compensate a firefighter granted leave under the Act at the firefighter's regular rate of pay, paid at the same interval the firefighter was paid while working, for those regular work hours during which the firefighter is absent from work. Sets forth provisions concerning employment protection and maintenance of benefits; prohibited acts, limitations of the Act; waiver of leave under the Act; and collective bargaining agreements. Limits home rule. Provides that the Department of Labor may adopt any rules necessary to implement the Act. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides 6 weeks paid family leave for firefighters to care for newborns, adopted/foster children, or disabled family members, expanding worker benefits and protecting family care rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Illinois · House May 15, 2026

HB 3266: PREVAILING WAGE-TIF DISTRICT

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that, for purposes of the Act, the term "public works" also includes all private projects that are located in a tax increment financing district and paid for wholly or in part out of public funds, unless the total cost of the project is less than $25,000 or the project is performed in a designated historic district requiring specialty contractors because of that designation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands prevailing wage requirements to private projects in TIF districts funded by public money, protecting workers' wage rights under labor standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Illinois · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 5208: BEREAVEMENT LEAVE ACT

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Zachary's Parent Protection Act. Amends the Family Bereavement Leave Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Bereavement Leave Act. Sets forth provisions concerning family bereavement leave, child extended bereavement leave, and general bereavement leave. Provides for the qualifying requirements, notice requirements, and length of leave provided under those circumstances. Provides that the bereavement leave provided under the Act is in addition to the unpaid leave time allowed under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. Provides that the Department of Labor shall review complaints to determine whether there is cause for investigation. Makes changes to definitions. Repeals the Child Extended Bereavement Leave Act. Amends the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act and the Child Labor Law of 2024 to make conforming changes.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands bereavement leave benefits with new provisions for family/child leave, adding to existing protections without reducing rights, directly advancing worker benefits under Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Illinois · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5463: SOCIAL WORK/SCH COUNSEL LOAN

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Changes the name of the School and Municipal Social Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program to the Social Worker and School Counselor Shortage Loan Repayment Program. Allows a school counselor to apply for the Program. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall award a grant of up to $8,000 (rather than $6,500) per year for a maximum of 4 years to each qualified applicant. Provides that a grant shall be used for repayment of the recipient's educational loan instead of the Commission encouraging the recipient to use the grant to repay the recipient's educational loan. Makes other and conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases grant amounts ($6,500→$8,000/year) for school counselors' loan repayment, directly supporting educator retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases annual grant funding for social workers/school counselors (up to $8,000/year) to reduce debt burden and support workforce retention in high-need roles, directly advancing employment standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · Illinois · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 3762: EXTREME WORKPLACE TEMPS

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates temperature safety standards, prevention plans, and enforcement to protect workers from extreme heat/cold hazards, directly advancing workplace safety protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · Illinois · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 2632: PREVAILING WAGE-TAX CREDITS

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that certain transferable tax credits are considered public works within the meaning of the Prevailing Wage Act. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill ensures tax credits for public works comply with prevailing wage requirements, strengthening worker pay protections under Prevailing Wage Act.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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in committee · Illinois · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 3213: EMPLOYMENT-PROHIBIT COVENANTS

Amends the Illinois Freedom to Work Act. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2026, no employer shall enter into a covenant not to compete or a covenant not to solicit with any employee. Provides that a covenant not to compete or a covenant not to solicit entered into on or after January 1, 2026 is illegal and void regardless of where and when the covenant not to compete or a covenant not to solicit was entered into. Provides that an employer or former employer shall not attempt to enforce a contract that is void and unenforceable under the Act regardless of whether the contract was signed and the employment was maintained outside of the State. Repeals provisions concerning the legitimate business interest of the employer; ensuring employees are informed about their obligations; and reformation of covenants not to compete and covenants not to solicit. Makes changes to definitions. Makes conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits non-compete agreements, protecting employee job mobility and rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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