Labor & Employment

Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Provides that no employer shall employ any of his employees for a workweek of more than 32 hours (currently, 40 hours) unless such employee receives compensation for his employment in excess of the hours above specified at a rate not less than 1 1/2 times the regular rate at which he is employed. Makes a conforming change.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging and the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that, subject to and upon federal approval if required, on and after January 1, 2026, the hourly wage paid to direct service workers, including, but not limited to personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers, who provide services under the Community Care Program and the Home Services Program shall be increased to a sufficient amount to sustain a minimum wage of $30 per hour.

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Provides that the Illinois Labor Relations Board or the panel having jurisdiction shall determine whether a violation of the Act was serious enough that the Board or panel is unable to order a make-whole remedy. Describes potential reasons for such a determination. Provides that, if the Board makes a determination that the violation frustrated the purposes of the Act, the Board shall include the availability of interest arbitration in its order and, upon request of the charging party, the parties must participate in the impasse arbitration procedures.

Declares March 25, 2025 as Equal Pay Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages the citizens of this State to learn about the pay gap that women experience in society and to learn about these various dates that bring attention to the pay gap that specific groups experience.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Illinois Labor Relations Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as follows: General Funds $2,549,200.

Amends the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act. Provides that every employer covered under the Act shall permit an employee or an employee's family or household member who is a victim or alleged victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, gender violence, or any other crime of violence to utilize for personal use an employer-provided electronic device to document or communicate an act of domestic violence, sexual violence, gender violence, or any other crime of violence committed against the employee or the employee's family or household member. Requires employers to grant an employee who is a victim or alleged victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, gender violence, or any other crime of violence or an employee who has a family or household member who is a victim or alleged victim or domestic violence, sexual violence, gender violence, or any other crime of violence access to any photographs, voice or video recordings, sound recordings, or any other digital documents or communications stored on an employer-provided electronic device issued to the employee whenever such photographs, voice or video recordings, sound recordings, or other digital documents or communications are needed by the employee or the employee's family or household member during a criminal action or proceeding to establish or support an allegation of domestic violence, sexual violence, gender violence, or any other crime of violence. Provides that, if an employee is seriously injured or incapacitated, the employer shall grant access to the described materials to a family or household member of the employee who requests access from the employer and whose interests are not adverse to the employee as it relates to the domestic violence, sexual violence, gender violence, or other crime of violence. Provides that every employer covered by the Act shall post and keep posted, in conspicuous places where employees are employed, a notice, to be prepared or approved by the Director of Labor, explaining these provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a public utility shall ensure that it has the necessary labor force in order to fulfill its duties under the Act. Provides that no substantial change shall be made by any public utility in its labor force unless the public utility provides notice to the Illinois Commerce Commission at least 45 days before the implementation of the change. Provides that a public utility shall provide a report to the Commission in addition to the notice of the substantial change. Sets forth requirements for the content of the report. Provides that the Commission may conduct an audit or investigation of any public utility report filed pursuant to provisions concerning a public utility's labor force. Provides that if, after notice and hearing, the Commission finds that a report was insufficient to justify the substantial change in labor force, then the cost of any independent audit conducted by the Commission shall not be recoverable as an expense from the ratepayers of the public utility.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that an employer with 250 or fewer full-time equivalent employees during the reporting period may claim a credit against the withholding payments for each qualified employee. Provides that a qualified employee is an employee who receives a raise from an employer, whose post-raise annual salary attributable to that employer is not less than $31,200, and who continues to be employed by the employer during the reporting period for which the credit is taken.

Amends the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. Provides that an employer shall provide severance pay to a terminated employee equal to one week of pay for each full year of employment. Provides that, if the employer provides any employee with less than the number of days of notification required under the Act, the employer shall provide that employee with an additional 4 weeks of pay. Sets forth provisions concerning severance pay provided by the employer under a collective bargaining agreement and waiver of rights under the provisions.

States that meaningful reform of education in Illinois requires structural changes at all levels, including increases to paid teacher preparation and collaboration time, staffing models, and systems for recognition and incentives for educators. Urges school districts across the state to provide adequate paid planning time for teachers.