The Fall Veto Session provided small business with these crucial victories:
Minimum Wage Increase (SB81) Bill Failed
The State Journal-Register reported the votes weren’t there to try to override Gov. Rauner’s veto of the measure that would increase the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour.
Wage History – “Don’t Ask” (HB 2462) Bill Failed
This bill would prohibit 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 – a candidate for governor in the Democratic primary.
Local Restrictions on Collective Bargaining (SB1905) Bill Failed
This NFIB-opposed bill would restrict local governments from creating right-to-work zones. Though the Senate overrode Gov. Rauner’s veto on this measure, but the House failed to do the same on two separate attempts by the sponsor.
Workers’ Compensation – Fake Reform (HB2525) Not Considered
Good news for small business owners: The veto stands, as it was not called for an override vote. This bill was a reform 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) Bill Failed
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) Not Considered
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 motion to override.
