Welcome to the NFIB/Illinois’ Capitol Roundup. Capitol Roundup is an e-mail newsletter on news being made at the Illinois Statehouse as it happens. This e-mail is provided to our members who have shown an interest in promoting the voice of small business to state and federal policymakers. Capitol Roundup will appear regularly during legislative sessions.
100th General Assembly reconvenes
Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield for the remainder of the 100th General Assembly.
NFIB Illinois hosted our annual Small Business Day at the Capitol on Feb. 7th. Members met privately with Governor Rauner, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin and Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady to present small business priorities for the legislative session.
They were also treated to a House Resolution honoring NFIB on its 75th Anniversary.
Governor Rauner is scheduled to make his annual budget address on Feb. 14th. NFIB is anticipating a call for a balanced budget and legislative cooperation. However, if past foretells future, we may not see either. This is the beginning of the election year, so we expect a lack of bi-partisanship and political posturing.
Legislation and NFIB position
HB 2771 (Rep. Christian Mitchell) Healthy Workplace Act is mandated Paid Sick Leave. It would require employers to provide up to 40 hours of sick leave annually to employees. Any full or part-time employee may earn sick days. Accrual rate of one hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked. Individuals may file civil actions with respect to violations of the new Act. This bill would not apply if the employer already provides 5 or more days of paid leave. Status: Passed House and Senate in 2017. But it is now back in the House with a motion to concur with two Senate amendments. A simple majority is needed to pass it. NFIB is Opposed and will request a Governor’s veto if it passes.
HB 4163 (Rep. Anna Moeller) Equal Pay – Wage History: This bill is back from 2017, where it failed to pass the Senate. It would prohibit an employer from screening job applicants based on their wage or salary history as a condition of being interviewed/considered for employment. It severely limits employer defenses and provides for civil penalties, including punitive damages and injunctive relief. Status: Passed committee and now on the House floor for consideration. NFIB Opposes
HB 4324 (Rep. Chris Welch) Wage Lien Act legislation would allow workers to put liens on personal and business property of business owners and corporate officers for failure to pay wages under the wage payment & collection using civil legal procedures. The IL Dept. of Labor already oversees wage payment disputes and workers have existing remedies through IDOL. This appears to be Status: Assigned to Labor committee. NFIB Opposes
NOTE: You may look up any bill listed here at http://www.ilga.gov
For questions or comments on small-business issues contained in this edition of Capitol Roundup please contact Illinois State Director Mark Grant in the NFIB/Illinois office at 217-523-5471, or via e-mail at [email protected]
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