Illinois Employment Law Update – November 2018

Service Member Employment and Reemployment Rights Act

On August 26, 2018, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed legislation (S.B. 3547) creating the Illinois Service Member Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (ISERRA). The act:

• Defines relevant terms;
• Discusses differential compensation, independent contractors, and employee benefits;
• Provides basic protections by incorporating the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), along with enforcement procedures;
• Implements notice and posting requirements; and
• Provides additional benefits only applicable to public employers and employees.

The law is effective January 1, 2019.

Read IL S.B. 3547

Chicago Hotel Workers Sexual Harassment Ordinance

On July 1, 2018, the City of Chicago passed an ordinance requiring Chicago hotels to provide panic buttons to protect workers from sexual harassment or assault. The ordinance amends Chicago Municipal Code 4-6-180(e) and imposes a duty on hotels to equip employees who are assigned to clean or to inventory, inspect, or restock supplies in a guest room or restroom, under circumstances where no other employee is present in such room, with a panic button or notification device. The employee may use the panic button or notification device to summon help if the employee reasonably believes that an ongoing crime, sexual assault, or other emergency is occurring in his or her presence. Panic buttons and notification devices must be provided at no cost to the employee.

The ordinance became effective July 1, 2018.

See the press release and the amended code