•January 5, 2022•

Employers and employees should be aware of new laws that took effect January 1st, as well as those already in effect due to action by the General Assembly and signature of Governor JB Pritzker.
“The mission at the Illinois Department of Labor is the same from year to year: protecting the rights, wages and welfare of workers. The tools we have to accomplish that mission sometimes change with legislative changes. There are several new laws that have either taken effect or will in the coming days that impact employees and employers across the state,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Michael Kleinik.
The Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) was amended to create the Violent Crime Victims’ Leave Act, which allows employees who are victims of violence or who have family or household members who are victims of violence to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per any 12-month period to seek medical help, legal assistance, counseling, safety planning, and other assistance. The amendment also prohibits employers from discriminating against employees who are victims of violence or who have family or household members who are victims of violence.
Beginning January 1, 2022, IDOL is responsible for maintaining a database that allows the public to search certified payrolls submitted by construction contractors on public works projects subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. This is the result of Public Act 102-0332, which is intended to ensure contractors are complying with the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. Contractors are required to file those certified payrolls by the 15th of each month. By the 16th day of each month following the month work was performed, IDOL will make relevant information available to the public. More information about the database can be found here.
There are new health insurance coverage disclosures employers must make to better inform employees in accordance with the Consumer Coverage Disclosure Act. While state health insurance coverage requirements are limited to state-regulated plans, the new law brings transparency by requiring all employers doing business in Illinois to disclose to their employees what group health plans do and do not cover, if they provide group health insurance. Employers offering group health insurance plans in Illinois must provide employees with a comparison of coverage by the employer’s group health plan and the essential health benefits covered by ACA Marketplace health plans sold in Illinois. All in all, there are 42 medical services and treatments that employers must identify as covered or not. IDOL has provided employers guidance and necessary documents to comply with the disclosure requirements on its web site: Consumer Coverage Disclosure Act.
Trampoline courts will be subject to inspection and permitting under the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Act (ARAS) in 2022. IDOL does not allow amusement rides or attractions to operate unless they have been inspected and permitted. Rides and/or attractions are insured and meet predetermined safety standards before operating in Illinois. IDOL crafted legislation to make sure these facilities and employees meet industry standards. At the time of inspection, owners are required to provide documentation for all employees involved with the operation of trampoline equipment that a criminal history records check and sex offender registry check have been conducted, provide documentation they received proper training and have a substance abuse policy in place, which includes random drug testing. To read more about new rules for trampoline courts, click here.

•December 29, 2021•

The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and more than 200 law enforcement agencies throughout the state are joining together to remind motorists that the most important gift they can give to friends and family is their safe arrival. During this busy travel time, law enforcement will be increasing its lifesaving efforts to keep impaired drivers off the roads and make sure that all travelers buckled up.
“The winter holidays are the perfect time to show your friends, family members and communities how much you care,” said Cynthia Watters, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “I can’t think of a better way to do that than by giving the gift of safety. Drive sober and make sure your loved ones do the same. When it comes to seat belts, check them twice for a safer ride. Everyone around you will be merry and bright when you show how much their safety means to you.”
According to preliminary data, as of Dec. 16, there were 1,149 fatal crashes and 1,265 fatalities in Illinois in 2021. This represents an increase of 115 fatalities from the same period in 2020.
“Our troopers will remain steadfast in preventing crime and enforcing all laws to increase public safety and improve the quality of life for everyone in Illinois,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “We appreciate all of the law-abiding individuals who help us achieve our mission through safe driving and by reporting unsafe driving and criminal activity, so together we can enjoy a safe holiday season.”
Before you head over the river and through the woods to enjoy your holiday festivities, keep the following tips in mind:
If you’re under the influence of alcohol or another impairing substance, don’t drive.
If you think a driver is impaired, don’t get in the car. Instead, take their keys and help them get home safely.
If you are going to drink alcohol, use marijuana or take another impairing substance, plan ahead for a sober ride home. Options include your community’s sober ride program, a cab, public transportation or your favorite ride-sharing app.
If you see an impaired driver on the road, pull over and contact local law enforcement.
The enforcement campaign runs statewide through Jan. 3, funded with federal highway safety funds administered by IDOT.

•December 29, 2021•

State Representative Brad Halbrook invites residents in Moultrie County to meet him or his staff after the New Year at the Sullivan American Legion to discuss state issues and other concerns. Rep. Halbrook’s traveling office hours bring his office to communities throughout the district to better assist those who want to discuss issues face to face. He will hold traveling office hours on Monday, January 10, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm at the Sullivan American Legion, 8 E. Strain St., Sullivan. “Conducting traveling office hours throughout the district is key to being able to meet one on one with more of the folks that I represent to update them on what’s happening in Springfield, and to hear their concerns, or to help with a problem they’re having,” Rep. Halbrook said. “This past year Democrats in the General Assembly passed measures that are directly impacting our families’ health care and parental rights. We head back to Springfield on January 4th, so we have a lot to talk about in the coming weeks.”
Representative Halbrook will be announcing more listening tour dates and locations in the coming weeks. He stressed that local residents are always welcome to call or stop by his Shelbyville office located at 203 N. Cedar (217-774-1306).