Labor & Employment

signed · Illinois · House Jul 24, 2026

HB 4491: PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISABILITY

Amends the Public Employee Disability Act. Provides that, whenever an eligible employee suffers any injury or illness in the line of duty (rather than suffers any injury in the line of duty) which causes that employee to be unable to perform the employee's duties, the employee shall continue to be paid by the employing public entity on the same gross pay basis, inclusive of all pensionable salary, as the employee was paid before the injury (rather than paid by the employing public entity on the same basis as he was paid before the injury), with no deduction from and with continued accrual of any sick leave credits (rather than with no deduction from his sick leave credits) and specified other compensation, with other requirements. Makes technical changes.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures public employees injured in line of duty receive full pay including pensionable salary, strengthening disability benefits and worker protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Illinois · Senate Jul 24, 2026

SB 2914: SCH CD-REMOVE/DISMISS TEACHERS

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. In a provision requiring a school board, before setting a hearing on charges stemming from causes that are considered remediable, to give a teacher reasonable warning, in writing, stating specifically the causes that, if not removed, may result in charges, allows a teacher to grieve the issuance of such warning pursuant to the applicable collective bargaining agreement to determine whether the board had just cause in issuing the warning. Requires the written warning to narrowly specify the nature of the alleged misconduct that needs to be remedied. Provides that under no circumstances may the written warning remain effective for longer than 4 years from the date of the issuance of the written warning. Requires the school district to use reasonable efforts to remove the written warning from the teacher's personnel file after the 4 years have elapsed or sooner if agreed to through the exclusive bargaining representative, with an exception. Effective immediately.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables teachers to grieve warnings via collective bargaining, protecting due process in employment - a form of supporting teacher rights under education policy.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allows teachers to grieve written warnings via collective bargaining, strengthening due process and protecting employment rights in disciplinary procedures.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

passed · Illinois · House May 28, 2026

HR 635: 4-DAY WORK WEEK-SUPPORT

Urges the State of Illinois to make needed investments in Illinois workplaces to decrease burnout, increase workplace happiness, and recognize that a portion of the productivity gains the United States has seen should result in less work for all. Urges pilot programs to be established to promote, incentivize, and support the use of a 4-day workweek by qualifying employers and to study the benefits and effects of a 4-day workweek on participating employees and employers and to promote and support the use of a 4-day workweek for employees of the State of Illinois.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly urges Illinois to promote 4-day workweek pilot programs, decrease burnout, and increase workplace happiness - directly advancing worker well-being and employment standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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in committee · Illinois · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 4805: UNEMPLOYMENT INS-PREFILE CLAIM

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that, if an employer employing 75 or more employees in the State conducts a layoff, furlough, or temporary shutdown resulting in the separation of one or more employees, the employer shall submit required claim-initiation information to the Department of Employment Security on behalf of each affected employee. Provides that the Department shall provide written or electronic confirmation to the affected employee that the claim-initiation information has been submitted on their behalf by the employer. Sets forth additional requirements. Provides for civil penalties for a violation of the provision.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires large employers to initiate unemployment claims for affected workers, streamlining access to benefits and protecting workers' rights during layoffs/furloughs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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in committee · Illinois · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 5147: EQUAL PAY-WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT

Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Provides that, no later than 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Labor shall adopt rules that require specified employers doing business in the State to file an annual report, that will be made available to the public on a dedicated page of the Department's website, regarding workforce management policies, practices, and performance with respect to the employer. Describes the information required to be reported. Sets forth provisions concerning the standardization of data and exemptions to the provision.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends Equal Pay Act to mandate public reporting on workforce management policies, promoting pay transparency and equity as core workers' rights protections.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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