As 2025 approaches, Illinois is enacting significant new legislation that enhances employee rights and workplace protections. These updates affect areas such as pay transparency, discrimination protections, and child labor laws, signaling the state’s commitment to fostering fair and inclusive workplaces.
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Seventh Circuit Court Of Appeals Explains That Only An “Agreement” Is Needed For A Wage Claim, Not A Contract
The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals (which includes jurisdiction over Illinois) recently ruled in favor of a former executive sales leader who filed a lawsuit against his employer for $330,000 in unpaid incentive pay. This case, Das v. Tata Consultancy…
Illinois Court of Appeals Awards $1,500,000 For Emotional Damages From Retaliation
In Svec v. City of Chicago, the Illinois Court of Appeals decided an important case testing the potential boundaries of an emotional damages award in a retaliation case. The court’s analysis of emotional damages is crucial for plaintiffs seeking justice under…
NLRB Throws Shade on Confidentiality, Non-disparagement Clauses in Severance Agreements
Employees presented with a severance agreement should be aware of a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decision with significant implications. In a February 2023 ruling, the Board deemed confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions in severance agreements unlawful when presented to employees…
Chicago Workers to Gain Significant Paid Leave Benefits
In a major victory for workers’ rights, the Chicago City Council has approved an ordinance that will guarantee all workers in the city at least 10 days of paid leave annually. This is a significant expansion of the current paid…
Illinois Freedom to Work Act – Are Non-Competes On Their Way Out?
In 2022, Illinois significantly restricted the use of non-compete agreements with the passage of the Freedom to Work Act. The Act prohibits non-compete agreements for workers earning less than $75,000 per year (adjusted upwards every five years, capped at $90,000…
Illinois All Workers Act Provides Greater Protections for Workers
The state of Illinois has recently passed a new employment law, known as the Illinois All Workers Act, which provides greater protections for workers across the state. The purpose of the law is to address the growing need for fair…
The Illinois Paid Leave for Workers Act Allows Employees Leave For Any Reason They Choose
Governor J.B. Pritzker recently signed the Paid Leave for Workers Act, which takes effect on January 1, 2024. The Act requires employers to provide eligible employees with paid sick leave and is designed to promote a healthier and more productive…
Amendments to the Illinois’ One Day Rest in Seven Act Provide Further Employee Protections
The Illinois One Day Rest in Seven Act (ODRISA), which requires employers to provide employees with at least one day of rest per week, has recently been amended. The amendments to the law, which went into effect in 2023, provide…
U.S. Supreme Court Rules That Title VII Prevents Sexual Orientation Discrimination
On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court made clear, in a 6-3 ruling, that federal law, through Title VII, protects workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Court held that “Title VII makes it ‘unlawful…