new laws in illinois 2022 covid

Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Retaliation Laws Applied to COVID-19 State and federal laws require employers to maintain a workplace free of discrimination and harassment, and to ensure that employees are treated equally regardless of age, disability, sex, race, national origin, religion, or any other protected category. Worker safety training and the corresponding written materials should be available in a language spoken by employees and accessible to employees with a range of education levels. Yes. 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. PROFESSIONAL REGULATION LAW Suspends the Secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation from taking certain actions to increase the number of licensed professionals responding to the disaster, to the extent that it limits the Secretarys authority to those working under the direction of IEMA and IDPH. Yes. Here are 25 of the most notable new pieces of legislation: SB 633 amends the School Code by adding a requirement that school districts must include data on the number of incidents of violence that occurred on school grounds or during school-related activities in their annual report cards starting with the 2022-23 school year. COVID-19 diagnostic testing should generally be covered by private insurance and available at no cost to individuals who do not have insurance under federal reimbursement programs or at a community based testing site. All Rights Reserved. MASK REQUIREMENT FOR SCHOOLS AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILTIES Requires masks for students, teachers, and staff at pre-kindergarten-12th grade schools and day cares, consistent with the CDC guidance. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through July 24, 2021. In response, public health restrictions and mitigations are instituted for Region 7, comprised of Will and Kankakee Counties. HB 03955: Provides that automatic renewal offers or continuous service offers online should provide a toll-free number, email or a postal address if the seller directly bills the consumer, or to provide another cost-effective way to cancel the service. EXTENDS CANNABIS APPLICATIONS Further extends the deadline for cannabis craft grower, infuser and transporter license applications and directs applicants to mail completed applications. SB 01577: Public school students shall be granted up to five days of excused absences for mental or behavioral health, with no medical note required. PHASE FIVE REOPENING - Safely and conscientiously expands activities that were limited during the prior mitigation Phases of the States response to the COVID-19 pandemic, consistent with CDC guidance. The Administration's plan is to end the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023. Shooting incidents are also 32% higher than they . More than 180 new laws are set to take effect on January 1, 2023, covering a range of issues big and small that affect Illinoisans. Local government units across the state must halt all evictions, and gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited. With 2022 upon us, here are some of the new laws that went into effect January 1. Availability of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests. In response, public health restrictions and mitigations are implemented for Region 7 (Will and Kankakee counties) and Region 8 (Kane and DuPage counties), for restaurants and bars, meetings and social events, gaming and casinos and for all workplaces, effective October 23, 2020. 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. The raise in minimum wage is part of legislation Illinois. Reissues previous Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic through October 15, 2022. 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. His new campaign message, concentrated on citizens' safety and support for the police . HB 00562: Significant changes to the FOID card system beginning in 2022, including encouraging, but not requiring, fingerprinting. J.B. Pritzker's administration on Thursday announced a change to the state's COVID . This Executive Order supersedes Executive Order 2021-10. Statewide, the minimum wage increases by $1 to $12 per hour as part of a measure approved in 2019,. For further information or to contact the Illinois Department of Employment Security, visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/ides/aboutides/Pages/Contact_IDES.aspx. Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 . More information about coronavirus waivers and flexibilities is available on . HB 03922: Designates June 19 as a paid state holiday, Juneteenth. Per the Governors Executive Orders, an employer can require employees to use protective gear, including masks or face coverings. All schools shall make remote instruction available. REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through January 8, 2022. HOSPITAL CAPACITY IDPH shall exercise discretion enforcing certain regulations. Reissues previous Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic through December 9, 2022. In the Health Care Worker Background Check Act, suspends the time period for designated students, applicants, and employees to have their fingerprints collected electronically. Previously, public defenders could advise immigrants in deportation cases but could not formally represent them. COVID-19 also has raised other employment-related questions involving issues such as pay and benefits, leave, and eligibility for unemployment insurance. In response, public health restrictions and mitigations will be implemented for Regions 4 and 10 for restaurants and bars, meetings and social events, gaming and casinos and for all workplaces, effective October 28, 2020. 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. 2022 Clay County Final Multiplier Announced. Permits service of pleadings to be conducted personally, by first-class mail, or by electronic mail. (COVID-19 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. Paul.Cicchini@illinois.gov New Laws Taking Effect in 2022 Impact Employers, Employees SPRINGFIELD - As we prepare for the new year, employers and employees should be aware of new laws taking effect January 1st, as well as those already in effect due to action by the General Assembly and signature of Governor JB Pritzker. Generally, individuals currently receiving paid leave are not eligible for unemployment insurance. Allows ISBE to implement rules regarding remote learning. Suspends requiring certain courses as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma for twelfth grade students who are unable to complete coursework as a result of the suspension of in-person instruction due to COVID-19. HB 0020: Repeals the registration fee for Gold Star license plates for surviving spouses or parents of vets who died in war or peace time. NOTARY AND WITNESS GUIDELINES - any act of notarization or witnessing required by Illinois law may be completed remotely by via two-way audio-video communication technology provided that the acts follows specific guidelines set forth in the Order and by the Secretary of State. The bill also adds Muhammad Ali's birthday, Jan. 17, as the law's eighth commemorative holiday. Employers may not require employees to disclose if they are at higher risk for COVID- 19 or have a health condition. HB 633 establishes the Vegetable Garden Protection Act, which makes Illinois the second state in the nation to enshrine the right to cultivate a vegetable garden into state law. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against an employee for raising concerns about COVID-19, or their overall safety and health, either internally or to a government agency. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on May 17 signed the state's "COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act" (HB 2877) into law, providing robust protections for Illinois renters and homeowners. The bill was passed following media attention on a decision by administrators of Providence St. Mel School on Chicago's West Side to enforce a dress code banning braids and other hairstyles associated with African Americans on the law's 4-year-old namesake. Following the passage of the bill, former Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope resigned in protest, warning that her office had no power to highlight ethics violations and that lawmakers had shown that "true ethics reform is not a priority. Under the Child Care Act of 1969, the definition of child is suspended to ensure those who are 18 years or older can remain in their placement. According to the Kankakee County State's Attorney, the ruling means the pre-trial release and bail reforms will not. It establishes some limitations on lawmakers' ability to lobby their former co-workers immediately after leaving office, adds some restrictions to compensated lobbying by state and local officials, and expands lobbyist registration requirements. Unlike defendants in criminal court, parties in immigration court do not have a constitutional right to representation. Alert Message: Anyone, 6 months of age and older, is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Additional frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and wages, benefits, and layoffs are available on IDOLs website. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE Suspends the requirement that an applicant for public assistance must provide an audio recording of their verbal attestation during a telephone application for public assistance benefits. Employees can contact their local health department or IDPH at 1-800-889-3931 or by emailing dph.sick@illinois.gov. 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. REGION 5 MITIGATIONS Region 5 has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. SPORTS WAGERING - Suspends requiring an in-person creation of a sports wagering account, in order to participate in sports wagering offered over the internet or through a mobile application. Also new to Illinois schools in 2022, a law prohibiting rules regarding hairstyles such as braids and twists. This Termination will be implemented on May 23, 2022, to enable the Department of Homeland . In response, public health restrictions and mitigations are instituted for Region 1, comprised of Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties, for restaurants and bars, meetings and social events, gaming and casinos and for all workplaces, effective October 3, 2020. FORENSIC SERVICES Suspends admissions to Illinois Department of Human Services Forensic Treatment Programs from Illinois county jails. If you are concerned that your employer is not adhering to the required state COVID-19 workplace safety guidelines, you may contact the Workplace Rights Bureau of the Office of the Illinois Attorney General at (844) 740-5076 or workplacerights@atg.state.il.us Alongside SAFE-T Act and Workers Rights Amendment, new Illinois laws address latex allergies, carjackings, miscarriages and more. Such holidays are regular school days. 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. As a result, only three new laws took effect at the start of 2021 down from over 250 the prior year. The SAFE-T Act also requires that all Illinois police officers wear body cameras by 2025, establishes a more defined system for police complaints, and requires more law enforcement training. Also suspends the requirement that the Department must approve or deny an application for a medical or adult use cannabis cultivation center agent identification card within a certain amount of days. However, if possible, they must try to make reasonable accommodations for an employee who requests one. Non-essential retail stores may fulfill online and telephonic orders through pick-up outside the store or delivery. LARGE GATHERINGS Gatherings of 1,000 or more people are prohibited, including concerts, conferences and sporting events as well as closes the James R. Thompson Center to the public, except for necessary state business. The employer should also notify its employees that there has been a confirmed COVID-19 case in the workplace, while keeping the name of the sick employee confidential. Individuals who refuse an offer of suitable work are disqualified from receiving unemployment insurance unless there is good cause for the refusal. In order to prevent osteoporosis and other medical conditions, this law requires health insurance plans to cover medically necessary hormone therapy treatments for women who have undergone a hysterectomy and therefore induced menopause. From Fairgrounds To Museums, Explore The Unique History of Springfield, Camp I Am Me Highlights Burn Awareness Week, T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week, Dentists - Opportunities Springing Up All Over IL, Springfield Area Pets Up For Adoption: Pharaoh, Jawa, Layla & More, Springfield Job Listings: See Who's Hiring In The Area, 5 New Springfield Area Properties On The Market. REGION 6 MITIGATIONS Region 6 East-Central Illinois has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. If an employee believes they have been fired, demoted, or harassed because their employer believes that they are from a country where there is a high incidence of COVID-19 cases, they may file a charge with the IDHR. If an employee tests positive for COVID- 19, their employer should inform other employees in the workplace who may have been exposed. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday morning. The amendment passed with more than 50% support from the overall vote in the midterm. HB 02589: Expands the use and reimbursement of dispensing opioid antagonists to prevent overdose deaths and improves treatment services for substance use disorders. 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. SB 2122 amends the Juvenile Court Act to make confessions to crimes committed by people 17 and younger inadmissible in court whenever a law enforcement officer knowingly engaged in deception. SB 00154: Allows tenants in Illinois Housing Development Authority-funded housing to keep at least two cats, or one dog that weighs under 50 pounds, regardless of breed or height. The order aligns with the latest CDC guidance and rescinds emergency rules requiring face masks for fully vaccinated individuals. SB 01673: Changes the Animal Control Act to remove the terms spayed and neutered and replace them with the word sterilized.. CHICAGO (AP) Four years ago, Paul Vallas finished toward the bottom of the pack in a crowded race for Chicago mayor. This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. Provides the authority for the governor to sign additional executive orders to extend the Stay at Home order. HB 00122: Ends early termination fees for customers of telephone, cellphone, television, internet, energy, medical alert system or water services who die before the end of their contracts. REGION 1 MITIGATIONS Region 1 has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. Under the IHRA and federal law, an individual with a disability has the right to request a reasonable accommodation from their employer. from $118 to $36. REGIONS 5, 7, AND 8 TIER 2 MITIGATIONS Region 5 (Southern Illinois) has been under Tier 1 of the state's resurgence mitigation plan since October 22 and Region 7 (Will and Kankakee counties) and Region 8 (Kane and DuPage counties) since October 23, after seeing a 7-day rolling average test positivity rate of 8 percent or above for three consecutive days. PHASE THREE REOPENING Safely and conscientiously resumes activities that were paused due to COVID-19. Law enforcement officers can also seize tobacco products or electronic cigarettes that violate the bills prohibition on marketing to children. Unsigned applications for public assistance received by mail can be signed by a verbal attestation by telephone. If an employee reports having any COVID-19 related symptoms, the employer should encourage the employee to contact their health care provider. JB Pritzker in December expanded the list of detainable offenses and included some non-violent crimes. SUSPENDS VARIOUS PROVISIONS Suspends provisions in the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, the Nursing Home Care Act and the Community Care Act. SB 1846 amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish a requirement that the default beverage for kids' meals at restaurants is unsweetened water, juice or milk. To encourage employee input and feedback on safety and health matters, employers should consider designating one or more employees to be points of contact for employees with health or safety concerns or, in larger workplaces, creating a workplace safety and health committee made up of employee representatives from a variety of roles within the business. This Executive Order supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. IDPH will continue to conduct on-site reviews to the extent feasible. In response, public health restrictions and mitigations are instituted for the Metro East region, comprised of Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington Counties for restaurants and bars, meetings and social events, and gaming and casinos. This Executive Order is effective November 11 and supplements the Community Revitalization Order, Executive Order 43. 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. 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. Second, the PUA program has been established for individuals who are unemployed for specific reasons attributable to COVID-19 and not covered by the states regular unemployment insurance program. . Individuals with Green Cards issued by the federal government are generally able and available to work and may be eligible for unemployment benefits. 820 ILCS 115/5. Workers who have paid out-of-pocket for employer-mandated COVID-19 testing may file a claim with the Illinois Department of Labor and use the box marked Other to describe the amount of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the employee for mandatory COVID-19 testing. Applying for and being denied benefits under the regular program is the first step in establishing eligibility under the new temporary program. NEW STAY AT HOME ORDER This new order allows Illinoisans to leave their home for essential activities, including for health and safety, for necessary supplies and services, for outdoor activity, for certain types of work, to take care of others, and to engage in the free exercise of religion, but otherwise requires them to stay at home or their place of residence to prevent spread of COVID-19. HB 03445: A person who seeks medical assistance for an opioid overdose will have immunity from prosecution for possession. SB 00564: Requires schools to include contributions by Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhists and any other collective community of faith that helped shape America in history curriculums. During the COVID-19 pandemic, IDHR strongly encourages filings via email as filing by mail or fax may delay processing. Illinois reports 3,348 new COVID-19 . SB 00817: Bans schools from discriminating against student hairstyles associated with racial, ethnic and cultural traditions. Industrial radiography certifications and industrial radiography trainee certifications that have expired or will expire may be extended. REGIONS 3 MITIGATIONS Region 3, West-Central Illinois, has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. Employers should wait 24 hours before cleaning or disinfecting where feasible, and proceed to disinfect the area using proper precautions, such wearing gloves and masks. On January 7, 2022, the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) filed peremptory rules adopting the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). Illinois reported 735 new COVID cases and 0 related deaths Monday as statewide seven-day test positivity dropped to 1.5%. 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. SB 00147: Entitles Medicare supplement policyholders to an annual open enrollment period lasting at least 45 days starting on their birthday to buy a Medicare supplement policy irrespective of health status, claims experience or medical conditions. Rescinds Executive Order 2020-13. If you are a worker who received a Form 1099 and are not certain if you are eligible for PUA, you should file a claim for regular unemployment benefits for two reasons. Other potential accommodations could include moving the employees workstation to a less crowded or better ventilated area or re-examining job duties to minimize interaction with other coworkers or members of the public. Additionally, employees can choose to enroll in coverage provided through the Affordable Care Act. The law restores sick days to school staff who had to take time off due to COVID-related reasons during the 2021-2022 school year and provides paid leave in the future. In workplaces where employees are represented by a union, union representatives can also participate in workplace safety planning. IDOL will require all state and local public employers in Illinois to comply with ETS sections (d)- (l). REISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS - Reissues most executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through October 17, 2020. Requests for accommodations should be evaluated and resolved on a case-by-case basis. The two-week extension allows for hospitals and schools to implement their own testing, vaccine and accountability protocols. Under the Illinois school code, teachers receive a minimum of 10 sick days per year in line with national averages, according to the National Center for Teacher Quality . Those who agree to fingerprinting are granted streamlined processes for renewing FOID and CCL cards. Employees in these settings who are unable or unwilling to receive the vaccine will be required to get tested for COVID-19 at least once per week. SB 00968: Requires all health insurance plans, the Public Aid Code and public health benefits in Illinois to provide coverage for medically-necessary pancreatic cancer screening. AMENDS EXECUTIVE ORDER 24 - Makes specific amendments to Executive Order 2021-24, to provide more detail regarding the measures schools must take to ensure the safety of students and school personnel. BRIDGE PHASE - Safely expands activities for businesses and organizations that were limited during prior mitigation phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. CANNABIS IDENTIFICATION CARDS Suspends the requirement that a medical or adult use cannabis cultivation center agent must have a completed background check when applying for an agent identification card. . SB 2129 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to allow the chief prosecutor of the county where a convicted person was sentenced to petition a judge to resentence to a shorter sentence. PUA payments end on December 26, 2020. All employers are required to: DCEO has provided additional COVID-19 guidance for businesses, workers and residents on its website, https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/Pages/default.aspx. PUA payments are available for claimants who lost work due to specific COVID-19 related reasons provided for in the federal law beginning the week of February 2, 2020. New law signed by Pritzker will allow employers to mandate COVID vaccinations in IL By Peter Hancock Published November 10, 2021 at 11:25 AM CST Blueroomstream.com Gov. Suspends requiring internships for endorsements on professional educator licenses. Employees who believe they have been retaliated against may want to consider consulting with an attorney. REGION 7 MITIGATIONS Region 7 has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. Calls for the postponement or cancelation of elective surgeries. Employers are prohibited, by the IHRA and federal law, from treating employees differently based on race or national origin. The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) investigates charges of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation filed under the IHRA. Suspends the requirement that a fully executed marriage license must be submitted to the county clerk within 10 days. METRO EAST MITIGATIONS The Metro East region has reported three consecutive days of a test positivity rate of 8 percent or higher. Individuals may leave their homes only for essential activities or for essential operations. . SB 1879 amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code to ban fishing for carp, catfish, buffalo, suckers, gar, bowfin, shad and drum with a pitchfork, spear gun, bow and arrow, slingshot bow, spear or gig on or across from any public right of way or highway in the state. Employers should provide face coverings at no charge to employees who are not able to maintain a minimum 6-foot social distance at all times; Ensure that all spaces where employees may gather, including locker rooms and lunchrooms, allow for social distancing; Ensure that all visitors (customers, vendors, etc.)