Housing providers will also not be held liable for injuries caused by a pet on their properties. BBB shares top scams of 2022 . TELEHEALTH All health insurers regulated by the Department of Insurance are required to cover telehealth services and reimburse providers at the same rate as in-person visits and are prohibited from imposing any cost-sharing for in-network providers. ILLINOIS INSURANCE CODE Suspends certain provisions in the Illinois Insurance Code that require in-person education and/or exams within a certain time frame in order to maintain or obtain a professional insurance license. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through July 24, 2021. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through October 16, 2021. However, masks are still required for everyone in healthcare settings, in congregate settings and on transit. This Executive Order supersedes Executive Order 43. State and federal law requires exemptions for certain medical and religious reasons. SB 00672: No-compete clauses will be banned for individuals making less than $75,000 per year. EXTENDS CANNABIS APPLICATIONS Further extends the deadline for cannabis craft grower, infuser and transporter license applications and directs applicants to mail completed applications. Employees at higher risk for severe COVID-19 complications can request a reasonable accommodation, as outlined in questions 3 through 6 in the questions related to Civil Rights protections below. RESUMES ADMISSIONS TO IDOC FROM COUNTY JAILS The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) will resume accepting the transfer of individuals from Illinois county jails. Under the IHRA and federal law, employees who are pregnant or recovering from childbirth, or who have a medical condition related to pregnancy, have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. New law signed by Pritzker will allow employers to mandate COVID REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through January 8, 2022. Governor Pritzker's Executive Orders and Rules - Illinois HB 796, an amendment to the Public University Uniform Admission Pilot Program Act, requires that the University of Illinois establish a four-year pilot program guaranteeing that all applicants who speak English proficiently, graduated high school and attended community college in Illinois and earned at least 36 credits with a grade point average of at least 3.0 be allowed to attend. HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, PROFESSIONALS, AND VOLUNTEERS Defines healthcare facilities, health care professionals and health care volunteers. Phase 5 Business and Venues Guidance - Illinois REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS Reissues most executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through December 12, 2020. 265, 268 and 42 C.F.R. HB 3262 allows for civil lawsuits to be filed by anyone who has suffered an injury, damage or intimidation from a hate crime consisting of a false police report or 911 call, regardless of whether criminal charges were filed in connection with the incident. There is currently no state or federal law that provides job protection to a healthy employee who refuses to work out of fear of contracting COVID-19. It adds 16 additional endangered or threatened species to the list of animals whose parts are illegal to buy, sell or import, including giraffes, narwhals, pangolins, sharks and walruses, among others. If an employee has a disability that affects the employees risk of contracting COVID-19 or increases the harm if the employee does contract the virus, they should request a reasonable accommodation from their employer. The EEOC has issued guidance stating that due to the acknowledgment of COVID-19 community spread by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health authorities, employers may take employees temperatures. Coronavirus | Law and the Workplace Murders peaked in 2021 with 799 homicidesthe most since 1996and in 2022, remains 39% higher than in 2019. New Illinois law will give teachers paid sick leave for COVID-19 In response, public health restrictions and mitigations are implemented for restaurants and bars, meetings and social events, gaming and casinos and for all workplaces, effective November 1, 2020. All schools shall make remote instruction available. An example of an employee symptom screening form can be found on IDPHs website. SB 512 establishes the Preventing Youth Vaping Act, which gives the attorney general's office additional authority to go after violators of e-cigarette regulations. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues most executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through April 3, 2021. And candidates who are accused of deception or fraud during job interviews must be given a chance to appeal. SB 1833 amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law to require the department to come up with criteria and guidelines for the creation of state-designated cultural districts. Public employees who believe they have been retaliated against may file a. Supporters say it will ensure workers will always be able to use collective bargaining to secure better pay, hours and working conditions. All state, county, and local law enforcement officers are instructed to cease enforcement of orders of eviction for residential premises. REGION 1 MITIGATIONS Region 1 has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. Individuals with Green Cards issued by the federal government are generally able and available to work and may be eligible for unemployment benefits. As with other medical information, employers must maintain the confidentiality of employee temperatures and any other symptoms. Health Care Workers Individuals who are certified as a nurse assistant, but are currently inactive on the Health Care Worker Registry, may be hired under certain provisions, such as the inactive status being no more than five years and limiting conditional employment to three months pending the result of a more extensive background check. The Office of the Illinois Attorney General has issued more detailed guidance on the FFCRA and paid sick leave. HB 00155 and HB 00310: Provides that SNAP and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Childrens Programs may use their benefits to purchase menstrual hygiene products. Another law, HB 4271, requires state-regulated private insurance to cover medically necessary breast reduction surgery. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through June 26, 2021. Ensures any impacted licensed professionals are aiding in the response to the disaster. VACCINE REQUIREMENT EXTENSION Extends the vaccination requirements for individuals in high-risk settings, including all healthcare workers, nursing home employees, all P-12 teachers and staff, and higher education personnel and students. K-12 SCHOOLS All public and private K-12 schools must close for educational purposes; however, this will not affect the availability of school buildings to supply food for students in need. The greatest controversy in the SAFE-T Act is the key provision for ending cash bail, which advocates said causes poor people to sit in jail because they can't make bail, even on minor charges, while affluent people can pay for their pre-trial release, even for more serious crimes. Executive Order 2020-43 , the Community Revitalization Order, remains in effect. Some of these individuals should have been classified as employees and therefore would be eligible for unemployment insurance. EXTENDS MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS - A person or entity may not commence a residential eviction action. In response, public health restrictions and mitigations are implemented for restaurants and bars, meetings and social events, gaming and casinos and for all workplaces, effective November 4, 2020. Here are 50 of the more notable pieces of legislation that will take effect in the new year. Does not limit the free exercise of religion, and indoor services must not exceed more than 10 people. Also new to Illinois schools in 2022, a law prohibiting rules regarding hairstyles such as braids and twists. Employers should close off areas used by the person who is sick and, if possible, open windows and doors to increase air circulation in the area. Reissues previous Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic through December 9, 2022. If an employee requests a reasonable accommodation, such as telecommuting, staggering schedules, or taking a leave of absence, the employer should discuss the request with the employee to determine whether the requested accommodation, or another accommodation can be provided. SCHOOL SAFETY Schools must take specific measures to ensure the safety of students and schools, including investigating the occurrence of cases, close contacts, and symptomatic individuals. All workplace safety policies, including required face coverings, must be applied and enforced equally for all employees in the workplace, except for those employees who have informed the employer of a medical condition or disability that prevents them from safely wearing a face covering. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Grant Accountability and Transparency (GATA). New Tennessee law further limits federal vaccine mandates REGIONS 7 AND 8 MITIGATIONS Both Regions 7 and 8 have reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. Requires face coverings for all Illinois residents over age 2 in indoor settings beginning Monday, August 30, 2021. Executive Order 2022-21 - coronavirus.illinois.gov Yes. Yes. Employees should be instructed to stay home when sick and to follow the guidance of public health authorities if they have been exposed to or in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. During the COVID- 19 pandemic, employers may ask employees who work on-site if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath. The amendments also clarified other controversial elements of the bill, including that police can still arrest someone for trespassing, and that judges can issue arrest warrants when someone misses court. Once areas used by the person who is sick have been appropriately disinfected, they can be opened for use. New Illinois laws in 2023 include the SAFE-T Act, Worker's Rights Amendment, improvements to health care and food access, and more. This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. At a minimum, employers should follow CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting facilities with cases of COVID-19. Working from home may be a reasonable accommodation under some circumstances. All valid registry identification cards that expire between October 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021 will be granted a one-year renewal or extension. The new state law establishes eviction-sealing provisions for cases filed before and during the coronavirus pandemic and prohibits tenant screening companies from reporting sealed eviction records. Reissues and amends previous executive orders through May 28, 2022. SUSPENDS PROVISIONS IN THE ILLINOIS SCHOOL CODE Suspends requirements on the administration of assessments, school terms, and the calculation of daily pupil attendance. Hospitals licensed by IDPH or the State of Illinois may establish an ACF to provide room and board, nursing, and diagnosis or treatment to patients to increase regional hospital capacity. Minimum Wage Increase (Public Act 101-0001) Illinois is one of the states set to raise their minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025. Applying for and being denied benefits under the regular program is the first step in establishing eligibility under the new temporary program. https://www2.illinois.gov/ides/aboutides/Pages/Contact_IDES.aspx. STAY AT HOME All individuals must stay at home, with exceptions for essential activities, essential government functions, and essential businesses and operations. One of the most comprehensive, and likely the most contentious, laws to be signed into law this year was the Illinois SAFE-T Act, a massive criminal justice reform legislative package updating rules governing jail time while awaiting trial and the use of force by police. Additional frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and unemployment insurance are available on the IDES website. In response, public health restrictions and mitigations will be implemented for restaurants and bars, meetings and social events, gaming and casinos and for all workplaces, effective October 30, 2020. SB 00471: Requires insurers who issue or deliver group accident and health policies to ensure that insured individuals have access to treatment for emotional, mental, nervous or substance use disorders or conditions. Minimum wage bump coming, Juneteenth to become a state holiday: Here An employers failure to contribute to the unemployment system will not impact an individual claimants eligibility for benefits. The Stalking/No Contact Order law in Illinois has been amended to include a prohibition on contact made via email or social media. HB 2553 establishes the Protecting Household Privacy Act, which forbids law enforcement agencies from obtaining data collected, stored or shared by household electronic devices without a warrant, a court order, the permission of the owner or in an emergency situation. CHICAGO (AP) Four years ago, Paul Vallas finished toward the bottom of the pack in a crowded race for Chicago mayor. Additional resources and frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and civil rights protections under the IHRA are available on IDHRs website. SB 02354: Students can now take one year of forensic speech and debate in high school as a substitute for music, art or foreign language requirements. This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. HB 2790 allows public defenders to provide legal representation for non-citizens facing deportation in immigration court, but only in Cook County.