Springfield, IL — Workers in Illinois now have protections in opposition to retaliatory conduct by employers.
H.B. 5561, signed Aug. 9 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) and set to enter impact Jan. 1, strengthens present protections underneath the Illinois Whistleblower Act. It additionally codifies the authority of the Workplace Rights Bureau to analyze and maintain accountable employers who retaliate or threaten to retaliate in opposition to staff.
Specifically, the law:
- Broadens the scope of conduct protected underneath the act to guard workers who report violations of the law or threats to public well being and security on to their employer.
- Expands the definition of retaliation to incorporate blacklisting an worker from future alternatives and immigration-based retaliation.
- Provides specific statutory authority to the lawyer basic’s workplace to sue employers who retaliate or threaten retaliation in opposition to staff.
Workers can now be awarded curiosity on again pay of 9% for annually as much as 90 calendar days from the date a grievance is filed, together with liquidated damages and a civil penalty as much as $10,000 every.
“Employees should be empowered to stand up and speak out about fraud, abuse, criminality and exploitation in the workplace – not intimidated into silence,” stated Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), the invoice’s sponsor. “Expanding protections from retaliation is one more important step in safeguarding the rights of all workers in our state.”
Rep. Marcus C. Evans Jr. (D-Chicago) additionally sponsored the laws.
