Illinois Coronavirus Updates: New Vaccine Rules Begin for Some HB 376, also known as the Teaching Equitable Asian American History Act, requires that all public elementary and high schools must include a unit that teaches the contributions of Asian American communities and individuals to the history of the United States and the Midwest, including the arts, science, politics and civil rights. ON NOW. SB 539 includes amendments to Illinois Governmental Ethics Act and the Lobbyist Registration Act touted as ethics reforms by members of the Democratic Party's legislative supermajority . If an employee affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or a pregnancy-related medical condition requests a job modification or adjustment such as telecommuting or staggering schedules, the employer must provide the accommodation unless it would pose an undue hardship on the business. . CLARIFIES CEASING EVICTIONS Defines State Agency. Prohibits residential eviction actions and all law enforcement officers are instructed to cease enforcing evictions for non-residential premises, unless the tenant poses a threat. This Executive Order supersedes EO 2021-24 and EO 2021-25. REGION 1 TIER 2 MITIGATIONS Mitigation measures were initially implemented in Region 1 on October 3, 2020. However, the positivity rate has continued to significantly increase in these regions. Illinois' ban on assault weapons comes after last year's Highland Park shooting, as well as the rising violent crime in Chicago, which experienced a 41% overall increase in 2022. If your concern is about a state or local government employer, you may file a complaint with Illinois OSHA at https://www2.illinois.gov/idol/Laws-Rules/safety/Pages/Hazards.aspx Re-issues former executive orders to protect individuals and businesses from the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus. . WHEREAS, on October 14, 2022, considering the expected continuing spread of COVID-19 and the ongoing health and economic impacts that will be felt over the coming month by people across the State, I declared all counties in the State of Illinois as a disaster area; and, In response, public health restrictions and mitigations will be implemented for restaurants and bars, meetings and social events, gaming and casinos and for all workplaces, effective October 30, 2020. Laid off employees who previously had employer-provided health insurance may continue their coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). HB 03914: Requires Illinois Central Management Services to take positive action toward addressing systemic racism in the states hiring practices. The employer should also conduct contact tracing, notify all employees who were in close contact with the sick employee as soon as possible, and allow those employees to quarantine for 14 days. Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects employees ability to engage in protected concerted activity for mutual aid or protection in both union and non-union settings. 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. 71.40 no longer necessary. Coronavirus - Illinois State Board of Education An employers failure to contribute to the unemployment system will not impact an individual claimants eligibility for benefits. ISP will now have a public database of all guns reported stolen that can be checked prior to the transfer of any firearm to prevent inadvertent transfers of stolen weapons. J.B. Pritzker's administration on Thursday announced a change to the state's COVID . NOTARY AND WITNESS GUIDELINES - any act of notarization or witnessing required by Illinois law may be completed remotely by via two-way audio-video communication technology provided that the acts follows specific guidelines set forth in the Order and by the Secretary of State. This guidance is intended to help both employers and employees educate themselves about minimum required workplace safety requirements, as well as best practices to promote a safe and well-functioning workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide guidance on some frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and the workplace. SUSPENDS PROVISIONS IN THE ILLINOIS SCHOOL CODE Suspends requirements on the administration of assessments, school terms, and the calculation of daily pupil attendance. An employee who tests positive should make their employer aware of the positive test. The law does not apply to tobacco cessation products or cannabis paraphernalia. The greatest controversy in the SAFE-T Act is the key provision for ending cash bail, which advocates said causes poor people to sit in jail because they can't make bail, even on minor charges, while affluent people can pay for their pre-trial release, even for more serious crimes. In the Health Care Worker Background Check Act, suspends the time period for designated students, applicants, and employees to have their fingerprints collected electronically. Employees should be instructed to stay home when sick and to follow the guidance of public health authorities if they have been exposed to or in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. Under the Child Care Act of 1969, the definition of child is suspended to ensure those who are 18 years or older can remain in their placement. Reissues previous Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic through October 15, 2022. Individuals may leave their homes only for essential activities or for essential operations. In response, public health restrictions and mitigations are instituted for Region 7, comprised of Will and Kankakee Counties. Employees in these settings who are unable or unwilling to receive the vaccine will be required to get tested for COVID-19 at least once per week. Reissues previous Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic through January 6, 2023. SB 01681: Adds probation officers to the list of individuals that qualify for death benefits if they are killed in the line of study. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS Reissues most executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through February 6, 2021. COVID-19 diagnostic testing should generally be covered by private insurance and available at no cost to individuals who do not have insurance under federal reimbursement programs or at a community based testing site. Under the IHRA and federal law, employees who are pregnant or recovering from childbirth, or who have a medical condition related to pregnancy, have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. TELEHEALTH All health insurers regulated by the Department of Insurance are required to cover telehealth services and reimburse providers at the same rate as in-person visits and are prohibited from imposing any cost-sharing for in-network providers. SB 00817: Bans schools from discriminating against student hairstyles associated with racial, ethnic and cultural traditions. Local governments can still pass ordinances regulating setbacks, use of fertilizer or water, and invasive species controls as long as they do not have the effect of forbidding vegetable gardens. 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. As discussed in this guidance, various provisions of federal and state law prohibit retaliation against employees for raising safety and health concerns. Exceptions to this general rule are: (i) employees who are guaranteed employment for a certain period of time under an employment contract or (ii) employees performing work under a collective bargaining agreement that provides for procedures around employee layoffs and terminations. It will soon be a new year, and that means that new laws are set to go into effect, with nearly 300 new measures beginning on Jan. 1. Suspends requiring internships for endorsements on professional educator licenses. However, employees may be entitled to use vacation or other paid time off in accordance with their employers established leave program. REVISES ELECTIVE SURGERIES Defines and renders assistance in support of the States response to hospitals, health care facilities, health care professionals, and health care volunteers. All non-essential business and operations must cease, aside from Minimum Basic Operations. In 2022, that means minimum wage will increase to $12 an hour. Law enforcement officers can also seize tobacco products or electronic cigarettes that violate the bills prohibition on marketing to children. The . No. Here are 25 of the most notable new pieces of legislation: SB 633 amends the School Code by adding a requirement that school districts must include data on the number of incidents of violence that occurred on school grounds or during school-related activities in their annual report cards starting with the 2022-23 school year. Reissues previous Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. HB 00226: Public universities will now be required to permit students to choose whether they submit ACT and SAT scores when applying for admission. Second, the PUA program has been established for individuals who are unemployed for specific reasons attributable to COVID-19 and not covered by the states regular unemployment insurance program. For the third year in a row, low-wage workers are getting a raise as the calendar turns to 2022. Illinois school districts do not need approval by the school board for an e-learning curriculum. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Generally, isolation can be discontinued when all three conditions are met: 10 days have passed since symptoms started, no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever- reducing medications, and other symptoms are improving. State Stimulus Money Might Be Taxable if You Live in These States J.B. Pritzker's office announced Monday night he signed into law changes to the Health Care Right of Conscience Act. 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. This shall not be construed as relieving any individual of the obligation to pay rent or comply with a lease or rental agreement. 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. Employees can contact their local health department or IDPH at 1-800-889-3931 or by emailing dph.sick@illinois.gov. It shall not be construed to apply to domestic support obligations or relieving a debtor of any liability. 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. REGIONS 4 AND 10 MITIGATIONS Region 4, the Metro East, has had a 7-day rolling average test positivity rate of 8 percent or above for three consecutive days. PHASE THREE REOPENING Safely and conscientiously resumes activities that were paused due to COVID-19. Rescinds Executive Order 2020-13. All schools must follow IDPH and ISBE health guidelines, including using PPE, temperature checks, hygienic practices, social distancing, and limiting people to 50 or fewer in one space. HB 01838: Expands the definition of discrimination based on a disability in the Illinois Human Rights Act to include unlawful discrimination against an individual because of the individuals association with a person with a disability. 265, 268 and 42 C.F.R. According to the Kankakee County State's Attorney, the ruling means the pre-trial release and bail reforms will not take effect on Jan. 1 in the 65 Illinois counties who challenged the law. CHICAGO A slate of new city, county and state laws in 2022 will affect education, criminal justice, deportation and eating out for Chicagoans. New Illinois Laws For 2022 Include First-In-Nation Legislation HB 03739: Creates the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act to establish timelines and requirements for the removal and replacement of all lead service lines in Illinois. In order to qualify, an area must show that the area is at risk of losing its cultural identity due to COVID-19, displacement or gentrification, that it has had a history of economic disinvestment and that there is strong community support for the designation, which is aimed at promoting economic development, entrepreneurship and growth without also generating displacement or expanding inequality. Also new to Illinois schools in 2022, a law prohibiting rules regarding hairstyles such as braids and. On January 7, 2022, the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) filed peremptory rules adopting the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). All state agencies must submit annual reports showing how they have worked to increase the diversity of their workforce. You shouldn't be on the hook for tickets when your car gets stolen. Calls for the postponement or cancelation of elective surgeries. HB 3914, the Positive Action Act, requires the director of the Central Management Services Department to strive to identify and modify laws and policies that make it harder for minorities and marginalized people to get state jobs. If an employee reports having any COVID-19 related symptoms, the employer should encourage the employee to contact their health care provider. HB 3262 allows for civil lawsuits to be filed by anyone who has suffered an injury, damage or intimidation from a hate crime consisting of a false police report or 911 call, regardless of whether criminal charges were filed in connection with the incident. J.B. Pritzker's COVID-19 disaster declaration last year, Madigan opted to convene the Illinois House for a just single four-day emergency session. HB 00376: Requires every elementary and high school to add a unit of instruction on the events and contributions of Asian Americans in Illinois and the U.S. HB 00709: Requires the Department of Human Services to educate immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and other non-residents of their rights under the U.S. Constitution and Illinois law. All valid registry identification cards that expire between October 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021 will be granted a one-year renewal or extension. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through April 30, 2022. The IDOC shall file emergency rules as needed. Further guidance concerning the use of face coverings is available on IDHRs website. Other potential accommodations could include moving the employees workstation to a less crowded or better ventilated area or re-examining job duties to minimize interaction with other coworkers or members of the public. All state, county, and local law enforcement officers are instructed to cease enforcement of orders of eviction for residential premises. 2022 Brings New Laws To Illinois: Here's What You Need To Know New Illinois Laws 2022: Nearly 300 Laws Take Effect Jan. 1 - NBC Chicago Illinois reports 2,762 new COVID-19 cases, 4 new deaths. HB 03217: Amends numerous state statutes by deleting the use of Haitian or Negro and instead including terms such as Black or African-American.. SB 00471: Requires insurers who issue or deliver group accident and health policies to ensure that insured individuals have access to treatment for emotional, mental, nervous or substance use disorders or conditions. In response, additional public health restrictions and mitigations are instituted for Region 1, such as a tighter gathering cap of 10 individuals rather than 25 and new table caps of six rather than 10 at restaurants and bars. SB 01673: Changes the Animal Control Act to remove the terms spayed and neutered and replace them with the word sterilized.. SB 00147: Entitles Medicare supplement policyholders to an annual open enrollment period lasting at least 45 days starting on their birthday to buy a Medicare supplement policy irrespective of health status, claims experience or medical conditions. HB 562, dubbed the "FOID Modernization Act," offers automatic gun license renewals for applicants who submit fingerprints, allows state agencies to share existing fingerprint databases, increases background check requirements for private gun transfers, allows for the development of future electronic gun license, establishes a stolen gun database and a new state police FOID revocation enforcement fund, among other things. 42 U.S.C. Yes. Federal employment laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), also protect employees from discrimination and harassment. Additional frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and wages, benefits, and layoffs are available on IDOLs website. This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. If you are concerned that your employer is not adhering to the required state COVID-19 workplace safety guidelines, you may contact the Workplace Rights Bureau of the Office of the Illinois Attorney General at (844) 740-5076 or workplacerights@atg.state.il.us ", Related: Another Watchdog Vacancy Means Complaints Against Lawmakers Won't Be Addressed. . SUSPENDS VARIOUS PROVISIONS Suspends provisions in the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, the Nursing Home Care Act and the Community Care Act. 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. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS Reissues most executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through July 26, 2020. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS Reissues most executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through November 14, 2020. An employer is not required to provide an accommodation that would be prohibitively expensive or unduly disruptive to the business. to the workplace can practice social distancing. Region 10, Suburban Cook County, has had eight consecutive days of increases in test positivity and seven days of increased hospital admissions. Continue to evaluate which employees are able to work from home and are encouraged to facilitate remote work when possible; Ensure that employees practice social distancing and wear face coverings when social distancing is not always possible. Health and safety laws apply to all employees, regardless of immigration status. RELIEF FOR UTILITY CUSTOMERS - Temporarily suspends two provisions of the Illinois Energy Assistance Act. One of the most comprehensive, and likely the most contentious, laws to be signed into law this year was the Illinois SAFE-T Act, a massive criminal justice reform legislative package updating rules governing jail time while awaiting trial and the use of force by police. SB 512 establishes the Preventing Youth Vaping Act, which gives the attorney general's office additional authority to go after violators of e-cigarette regulations. SB 00564: Requires schools to include contributions by Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhists and any other collective community of faith that helped shape America in history curriculums. HB 796, an amendment to the Public University Uniform Admission Pilot Program Act, requires that the University of Illinois establish a four-year pilot program guaranteeing that all applicants who speak English proficiently, graduated high school and attended community college in Illinois and earned at least 36 credits with a grade point average of at least 3.0 be allowed to attend. 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. This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. The amendment passed with more than 50% support from the overall vote in the midterm. 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.