Exploring the New Laws of 2023 and Their Implications

By Nicole Martin | October 16, 2023

As we prepare to wrap up 2023, it's essential to remind ourselves of the importance of staying up-to-date on the various changes in laws at both the state and federal levels. These new laws could potentially impact your life or business in significant ways. In this article, we will delve into these changes, focusing mainly on Illinois and federal-level changes.

A Closer Look at Illinois-Specific Laws in 2023

Several significant changes have been made at the state level in Illinois. These changes might affect employers, employees, and the general public.

Changes on the Horizon

One of the most noteworthy changes in Illinois is that Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a bill on August 11, 2023, requiring all employers with 15 or more employees to provide salary ranges and benefits in job postings. This law applies to jobs performed in Illinois and remote jobs where the employee reports to a work site in the state. The implementation date is set for January 1, 2025.
On March 13, 2023, Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker signed the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. This act mandates five paid leave days after 90 days of employment for any reason. This law is the first of its kind in Illinois and will take effect on January 1, 2024.

Changes Effective from January 1, 2023

Several other laws have been implemented as of January 1, 2023. These include the requirement for employers to submit EEO-1 reports to the state of Illinois. This law impacts employers with 100 or more employees and includes new pay data reporting and certification requirements, among other obligations.
Illinois has also amended the state Human Rights Act to include Hairstyle Discrimination, also known as the "Crown Act". This amendment expands the definition of "race" to include traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles.
Another important law in effect is the Illinois One Day Rest in Seven Act, which mandates a minimum of 24 hours of rest every seven days for employees.
Changes have also been made to the minimum wage in Illinois, with the state-wide minimum wage standing at $13, Cook County at $13.50, and Chicago at $15 ($15.80 for companies with over 21 employees).

Federal Changes in 2023

Changes at the federal level have also been noteworthy. The Human Rights Ordinance now requires employers to provide at least one hour of sexual harassment training annually to all employees and supervisors. This training needs to be completed by June 30th, 2023.
The Illinois Equal Pay Act has also seen amendments. As per the new amendment, the Freedom to Work Act now prohibits non-compete agreements for employees earning $75,000 per year or less.

The Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is another important law that provides protection for employees with known limitations arising from pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. This law will take effect on June 27, 2023.
The PUMP Act, effective from April 28, 2023, expands the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to provide nursing employees with reasonable time and a private location to express breast milk for up to one year after the child's birth.

In January of 2023, the Federal Trade Commission proposed a rule to ban non-compete agreements, signaling a significant change in employment contracts.
The US Department of Labor has also proposed a new rule that would reclassify workers who are “economically dependent” on a company as employees instead of contractors. This proposal is expected to be completed by October 7th, 2023.

Please note that this information is not intended as a source of legal advice. For legal advice, please consult with a professional legal adviser.