A measure to impose Biden-era workplace regulations cleared both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly this spring and will head to the Governor for his signature.

SB 1976 requires state agencies to adopt—at the state level—workplace rules adopted by the Biden Administration but rolled back by the Trump Administration.

The legislation would also expose small businesses to lawsuits from so-called “interested parties,” non-injured groups that allege violations of workplace safety regulations.

NFIB key-voted the bill and sent the following letter to legislators:

Subject: Oppose Costly and Unnecessary Regulations (SB 1976)

 The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is the largest small-business advocacy organization in Illinois and the nation, representing approximately 10,000 small-business owners in Illinois alone. NFIB member businesses are independently owned and reflect the diversity of Illinois’ small-business community, including small businesses in retail, construction, transportation, hospitality, professional services, manufacturing, and agriculture.

NFIB opposes SB 1976. The bill is problematic for several reasons.

• It would lead to a divergence between state and federal workplace regulations, reducing regulatory clarity and certainty for many small businesses.
• Even as employers in other states gain regulatory relief from overreaching federal red tape, SB 1976 would prevent equivalent relief for Illinois employers.
• It would expose small businesses to additional lawsuits by granting so-called “interested parties” broad latitude to bring civil lawsuits against employers. 

The bill’s broad mandate for Illinois agencies to incorporate defunct federal workplace regulations at the state level will create additional red tape, costs, and legal uncertainty for Illinois’ small business community. It will also increase regulatory disparity for Illinois’ Main Street businesses compared to their peers in neighboring states.

Illinois small businesses need regulatory relief, not more red tape. Instead of adding to the regulatory burden on Illinois’ small-business community, NFIB encourages the Illinois General Assembly to look for ways to reduce regulatory costs on Main Street businesses.

NFIB urges a “no” vote on SB 1976. 

Thank you for your support of Illinois’ small business community.