News about current legislation affecting workplace rights before the U.S. Congress and the legislatures of all 50 states.
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Chicago mayor vetoes big-store minimum wage
Source: Monica Davey, New York Times
Date: September 12, 2006
Mr. Daley vetoed the
Council's plan to make Chicago the first city in the nation to single out "big box" retailers like Wal-Mart
and Home Depot for wage minimums for their workers. "I understand and share a desire to ensure that everyone
who works in the city of Chicago earns a decent wage, but I do not believe that this ordinance, well
intentioned as it may be, would achieve that end. Rather, I believe it would drive jobs and businesses from our
city, penalizing neighborhoods that need additional economic activity the most," he said. Despite the mayor's
disapproval, the aldermen voted 35 to 14 in favor of the wage rules in July.
Chicago orders ‘Big Box' stores to raise wage
Source: Erik Eckholm, New York Times
Date: July 27, 2006
After months of
fevered lobbying and bitter debate, the Chicago City Council passed a groundbreaking ordinance yesterday
requiring "big box" stores, like Wal-Mart and Home Depot, to pay a minimum wage of $10 an hour by 2010, along
with at least $3 an hour worth of benefits. The ordinance would be the first in the country to single out large
retailers for wage rules. With this ordinance, Chicago has opened a contentious front in the growing national
movement, led by labor and poverty groups, to raise the incomes of bottom-rung workers through local minimum
wage and "living wage" legislation.
Bigger salaries for big box workers?
Source: Adam Doster, In These Times
Date: July 24, 2006
The Chicago City
Council looks poised to pass an ordinance that would require big box retailers located within city limits to
pay their employees a living wage. The legislation requires retail stores larger than 90,000 square feet that
are owned by companies who sell $1 billion in merchandise annually to pay their workers a minimum of $9.25 an
hour plus $1.50 an hour in benefits beginning July 2007. By 2010, retail giants must offer their employees at
least $10 an hour with $3 an hour in benefits, plus annual increases based on adjustments in the cost of
living. 33 of 50 aldermen have expressed support for the measure and Chicagoans have been even more receptive,
with one poll showing 84% of residents in favor.
Hotels make beds cozier, but maid's day tougher
Source: Oscar Avila, Chicago Tribune
Date: August 23, 2005
Hotel chains are rolling out super-thick mattresses, mountains of new pillows, extra sheets and hefty duvet
covers in competition to create the most restful sleep experience. But the effects of this pillow fight have
strained the nerves and backs of one group: the housekeepers who restore the rooms to pristine condition every
day. The union that represents housekeepers cited the amenities war as a primary justification for a new
[Illinois] law that guarantees two 15-minute paid breaks for housekeepers. The law took effect last week, but a
judge issued a temporary restraining order putting it on hold. Hotel-industry officials argu[e] the breaks will
hurt productivity and profits.
Blagojevich signs legislation to expand workers' picketing rights
Source: Salem Times Commoner
Date: August 5, 2005
Building on his long-standing commitment to protect workers' rights and improve conditions for
working men and women across [Illinois], Governor Blagojevich recently signed legislation that broadens
picketing rights for labor unions and other workers involved in labor disputes with their employers. House Bill
1480 allows people involved in labor disputes to picket, post temporary signs, park vehicles and set up tents
or other temporary shelter areas for the picketers on public rights of way without having to require a permit.
Cities, which are often employers with whom unions might have labor disputes, sometimes use public safety
issues to suppress a union's right to picket during a dispute.
House approves bill barring discrimination against gays
Source: Associated Press, abc7chicago.com
Date: January 11, 2005
The Illinois House voted to ban discrimination of gays and lesbians Tuesday, sending the
governor a bill that gay rights activists have sought for more than a decade. Gov. Rod Blagojevich said he
looked forward to signing the legislation, saying it "sends a clear message that we will not allow our citizens
to be discriminated against." The legislation, once signed by the governor, will add "sexual orientation" to
the state law that protects people from bias based on race, religion or other traits. It applies to
discrimination in jobs, housing, public accommodations or credit. Illinois will join 13 other states and the
District of Columbia in barring discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Source: Ray Long, Christi Parsons, Chicago Tribune
Date: January 11, 2005
For the first time ever, the Illinois Senate approved a controversial measure
Monday that would ban discrimination against gays and lesbians in matters of housing and employment, clearing a
long-standing hurdle to passage and inspiring one key sponsor to proclaim a victory for "fundamental freedom."
The measure now heads to the House, where sponsors vowed to pass it. If signed into law, the measure will add
"sexual orientation" to the list of reasons for which people cannot discriminate in housing, lending and
employment. The measure specifically states that the law would not require any employer, lender, real estate
agent or landlord to give preferential treatment or special rights to people based on their sexual
orientation.
Source: Dan Mihalopoulos, Chicago Tribune
Date: July 21, 2004
Two groups of Chicago aldermen introduced ordinances Tuesday to
regulate pay and benefits offered by "big box" retailers such as Wal-Mart. Ald. Edward Burke, Danny Solis and
William Beavers presented an ordinance requiring stores larger than 75,000 square feet to pay workers at least
$9.43 an hour and provide $3 an hour in benefits. The proposals follow months of vigorous debate at City Hall
over Wal-Mart's plans to do business in Chicago. Critics accuse the world's largest retailer of offering poor
wages and benefits and blocking unions from organizing its workforce.
Worker's comp reform unites foes
Source: Robert Manor, Chicago Tribune
Date: June 2, 2004
An effort to radically overhaul Illinois' worker's compensation has won the backing of
both labor and big business. The Illinois AFL-CIO and the Illinois Manufacturers' Association often are at
odds. But they both endorse legislation by State Sen. Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) to limit compensation to
doctors and hospitals, as is done in most states. Link pulled the bill from consideration last week as the
General Assembly became embroiled in its disagreement over the state budget. He said he will reintroduce the
bill when the legislature reconvenes.
Worker's comp reform unites foes
Source: Robert Manor, Chicago Tribune
Date: June 2, 2004
An effort to radically overhaul Illinois' worker's compensation has won the backing of
both labor and big business. The Illinois AFL-CIO and the Illinois Manufacturers' Association often are at
odds. But they both endorse legislation by State Sen. Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) to limit compensation to
doctors and hospitals, as is done in most states. Link pulled the bill from consideration last week as the
General Assembly became embroiled in its disagreement over the state budget. He said he will reintroduce the
bill when the legislature reconvenes.
Worker's comp reform unites foes
Source: Robert Manor, Chicago Tribune
Date: June 2, 2004
An effort to radically overhaul Illinois' worker's compensation has won the backing of
both labor and big business. The Illinois AFL-CIO and the Illinois Manufacturers' Association often are at
odds. But they both endorse legislation by State Sen. Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) to limit compensation to
doctors and hospitals, as is done in most states. Link pulled the bill from consideration last week as the
General Assembly became embroiled in its disagreement over the state budget. He said he will reintroduce the
bill when the legislature reconvenes.
Illinois Workers Protected from Federal Overtime Changes
Source: St. Louis Business Journal
Date: April 5, 2004
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has signed a law rejecting federal changes in overtime
pay laws and preserving overtime rights for Illinois workers who qualify. About 375,000 Illinois workers would
no longer qualify for overtime pay under new rules by the U.S. Department of Labor scheduled to take effect
this month. However, the Illinois law, drafted by Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, keeps the current rules in
place for Illinois workers.
[Illinois] Senate Votes to Keep OT Rule Out of State
Source: Ray Long and Christi Parsons, Chicago Tribune
Date: April 1, 2004
The [Illinois] Senate voted Wednesday to override restrictive new
federal rules reducing overtime pay for workers, while the House soundly rejected a controversial plan to let
undocumented immigrants get driver's licenses. The action unfolded as the Senate also approved Mayor Richard
Daley's signature proposal to give targeted relief to people fighting rising property taxes throughout the
state and a measure to set a statewide standard for fire safety after the deaths of six people in a blaze at a
Chicago high-rise. Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to sign the overtime bill, possibly as soon as Thursday,
when the federal rules are set to cut back on the number of employees eligible for overtime pay after a 40-hour
week. The state's actions will keep things as they are in Illinois. "The Bush administration has made a
systematic effort through the Department of Labor to reclassify a whole host of jobs as not deserving overtime
despite the fact that these are relatively low-wage, high-stress jobs," said Sen. Barack Obama (D-Chicago), the
bill's sponsor and a candidate for U.S. Senate. "What we've done is to make sure the state of Illinois
maintains existing overtime rules."
Abused Women Get Unpaid Leave Under New Bill
Source: T. Shawn Taylor, Chicago Tribune
Date: August 20, 2003
Victims of domestic and sexual violence in Illinois soon may be protected from
losing their jobs when they must take time off from work to do such things as go to court and seek abuse
counseling. The Victims Economic Security and Safety Act is modeled after the Family Medical Leave Act in that
it provides for 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period. But VESSA, as it is known, allows time off for
personal issues not covered by the FMLA and is designed to help victims keep their jobs. Many women are
reluctant to prosecute their abusers because it would mean taking time off work. Some have been fired or
threatened with job loss for taking time off. Others have quit working out of fear of being harassed or killed
on the job. Many end up on welfare.
States Scrutinize Wage Policies
Source: Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org
Date: June 24, 2003
A handful of states are
debating raising their minimum wage beyond the federal rate of $5.15 an hour, but just as many states are
acting to block grassroots efforts to force government contractors to pay “living wages” that typically far
exceed the federal minimum wage.
Illinois is slated to boost its wage to $6.50 an hour under a measure
approved by the legislature that now awaits Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s (D) signature. But Florida and Texas
recently joined seven other states which expressly forbid local governments to pass living wage ordinances.
Labor, Business Seek Agreement on Jobless Fund
Source: T. Shawn Taylor, Chicago Tribune
Date: June 11, 2003
Illinois' unemployment insurance trust fund has been in the red since the current
recession began, and business leaders and organized labor are trying to figure out how to get it back in the
black. Employers, who say an increase in taxes they pay into the fund will put some businesses over the edge,
are expected to ask labor interests to agree to reduce the number of workers who are eligible to collect
benefits--now 45 percent of the total--and to cut the average weekly benefits paid, currently $280.
