Veto session began on Oct. 23 and ended on Thursday, Nov. 9. Because of the importance of this session to the small business community, NFIB worked with lawmakers to make sure they understood the importance of sustaining the vetoes on bills that would be detrimental to Illinois’ businesses and economic climate.
Veto Session provided small business with these crucial victories:
Minimum Wage Increase (SB81). The State Journal-Register reported the votes weren’t there to try to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of the measure that would increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour.
Wage History (HB 2462). This bill would have prohibited employers from asking job applicants previous wage history. It also included severe penalties for employers. The veto override lost in the Senate in a resounding defeat for the sponsor, Sen. Daniel Biss.
Local Restrictions on Collective Bargaining (SB1905). This NFIB-opposed bill would have restricted local governments from creating right-to-work zones. The Senate overrode Governor Rauner’s veto on this measure, but the House failed to do the same on two separate attempts by the sponsor.
Workers’ Compensation (HB2525). Good news for small business owners: The veto stands, as it was not called for an override vote. The bill itself was a red herring; it would have codified current case law for “causation” and “traveling employee” that goes against employers and also would have prevented employers from achieving changes in case law from future courts.
State Mutual Insurance Company (HB2622). More good news for Illinois employers: The override vote fell short and the Governor’s veto was sustained. It would have used $10 million of employer and insurer tax dollars to create a state government-based mutual insurance company to with 300 market-based insurers that already provide workers’ compensation coverage.
Wage Payment and Collection Act (SB1720). This NFIB-opposed bill would increase criminal penalties for violations of the existing Wage Payment and Collection Act, and it would ban contractors from bidding on state procurement opportunities for five years if they violate, even accidentally, the FLSA, Illinois employment laws, or any comparable laws in other states. There was no vote taken on the motion to override.
