Articles Posted in Cook County Employers

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New Laws, New Year Part 2

Illinois small businesses need to get up to speed on a variety of state legislation passed in the previous session that came online on January 1.

We covered several new provisions in a post last week [LINK], including a higher state minimum wage and legislation prohibiting “capture audience meetings” focused on religion or politics, requiring “pay scale and benefits” information in all job postings, adding new requirements for businesses that want to employ children under age 16, and banning non-compete agreements for certain classes of workers.

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Illinois Employers Face New Laws 2025

Guest Author: Kelsey Feucht, Associate Attorney with Bellas & Wachowski

Illinois small businesses need to get up to speed on a variety of state legislation – particularly employment laws – which became effective on January 1.

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Holiday Business Parties

With the holiday season in full swing, workplaces often become the site of parties, gift exchanges, and other festive activities.  These activities foster camaraderie among coworkers and allow teams to celebrate their accomplishments.  Unfortunately, though, they can also sometimes lead to inappropriate behavior, including sexual harassment, which may lead to problems for the unweary business owner.

Employers can take proactive steps to ensure everyone feels safe and respected during these events.  Here are five suggestions to creating  a safe and positive environment for holiday celebrations.

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Make Sure Non-Disclosure Agreements Don’t Stymie Whistleblowing

Small businesses who enter into non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with employees need to ensure that those documents clearly delineate that they will not be used to discriminate against those who engage in “whistleblower” activity—or such employers could potentially face unpleasant regulatory consequences.

This was underscored in late July, when the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a “reminder” that the Consumer Financial Protection Act establishing the agency bars employers from either firing or otherwise discriminating against employees who participate in whistleblower activity, assuming the business in question is regulated by the CFPB.

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Transit Benefits Required for Illinois Employers

Another wrinkle for employers in the Chicago area.

Businesses located in the six-county Chicago area near public transit routes operated by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) that have at least 50 employees will be required as of Jan. 1, 2024, to provide their full-time employees with pre-tax public transit benefits.

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