Category: Business Law
Proposed “Workers’ Rights Amendment”
This November a proposed constitutional amendment will be on the ballot in Illinois. Illinois Constitutional Amendment 11 has been labeled the “Workers’ Rights Amendment,” which, according to its supporters, would establish the fundamental right for workers to collectively bargain and unionize along with banning right-to-work laws in the state of Illinois. Those in favor of
Illinois Employment Law Update – New Restrictions on Non-Compete Clauses
Effective January 1, 2022, the Illinois Freedom to Work Act (IFWA) adopted changes to limit the scope of restrictive covenants in employment contracts. While the law codifies substantive common law principles of restrictive covenants, it also sets forth new limitations regarding the use of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements. For example, prior to January 1, 2022,
American Innovation and Choice Bill in US Senate would rein in Big Tech
Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google dominate the big tech space and continue to break records with their massive profits, power and influence. A new bipartisan effort is taking shape to set new limits on the tech titans. The American Innovation and Choice Online Act was introduced by Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Chuck Grassley of
Illinois Tees Up Employer Rules Around Marijuana Usage of Prospective Hires
Following the legalization of marijuana usage last year, Illinois has introduced legislation to navigate sectors of public life made murky by the drug’s newfound acceptance. Illinois house bill 4116 states that an employer may not refuse to hire someone or discipline an employee for a positive drug test for THC, the main part of marijuana
New Equal Pay Laws to Take Effect in 2022
Illinois has joined the nationwide trend around the United States of states enacting equal pay laws. Starting in January 2022, the Illinois Equal Pay Act (the “Act”) amendments will take effect. Under the new changes to the Act, originally passed in 2003, employers with more than 100 employees will be required to obtain an “Equal
Emergence of Omicron and its Impact on the Workforce
With the arrival of a new season comes the arrival of a new variant of COVD-19: Omicron. As employers navigate another season of managing the virus’s impact on the workforce, it remains important to stay informed and take precautionary measures surrounding the workplace. Preliminary Information on Omicron As the first death related to the variant
Inflation Begins Hitting Consumer Purses
Prices of online goods have now risen for an unprecedented 15 consecutive months, just after what was a record-setting period of declines. Inflation is hitting all different types of products, including pet products, non-prescription drugs, clothing, furniture, and flower arrangements. The rise in digital sticker prices across the industry means online commerce transactions are soon
President Biden Announces Sweeping Pandemic Regulatory Measures
On September 9, 2021, President Biden announced a “Path Out of the Pandemic,” detailing the regulatory powers and actions his administration will use to increase the number of vaccinated Americans. Currently, the outlined plan is advisory, while agencies develop more-detailed policies regarding compliance with certain directives. The plan provides the following: Employers of more than
Remote Notarizations Permitted Under New Illinois Law
On July 26, 2021, SB2664 was signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker as Public Act 102-160. This major revision of the Illinois Notary Public Act (“INPA”) authorizes the use of both Remote Ink Notarizations (“RIN”) and Remote Online Notarizations (“RON”) in real estate transactions. The INPA sets forth the details required for the notary
COVID-19 Business Interruption Suit Can Proceed, Cook County Judge Rules
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Raymond W. Mitchell denied a motion to dismiss in a bellwether case determining whether the presence of coronavirus causes “physical loss or damage” for insurance purposes. JDS Construction Group LLC, a New York company, filed suit against Chicago-based insurer, Continental Casualty (“Continental”), over the losses from the shutdown of a