Newly Passed Illinois Laws Impact Public Employers

The Illinois legislature’s busy schedule this past Spring included a number of pieces of legislation of interest to public employers. Awaiting expected signature by Governor Blagojevich (or already signed into law) are various bills and laws that touch on such issues as union picketing, communications between union agents and members, layoff notification, prevailing wages, and leaves. Although another bill revamping the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act had the support of both management and labor, most of the employment-related legislation coming out of Springfield has been supported by labor. A summary of several of the laws that are relevant to Illinois public employers follows.