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IL SB1976

IL SB1976
WORKERS RIGHTS AND SAFETY


summary

Introduced
02/06/2025
In Committee
05/27/2025
Crossed Over
05/21/2025
Passed
08/14/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
08/14/2025

Introduced Session

104th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Creates the Workers' Rights and Worker Safety Act. Provides that, except as authorized by State law enacted after April 28, 2025, a State agency may not amend or revise the State agency's rules in a manner that is less stringent in its protection of workers' rights or worker safety than requirements established under federal wage and hour law or federal coal mine safety law as the federal law existed on April 28, 2025. Creates the Illinois Safe and Healthy Workplace Act. Provides that the Department of Labor shall adopt rules to incorporate federal occupational health or safety standards that are repealed or revoked to address occupational safety or health issues. Sets forth rights of action and penalties. Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Provides that the Director Labor may adopt a standard that incorporates a federal occupational health or safety standard as it existed prior to being repealed, revoked, amended, or newly interpreted and addresses the occupational safety or health issue that the repealed, revoked, amended, or newly interpreted federal Occupational Safety and Health Act standard had addressed.

AI Summary

This bill establishes two key pieces of legislation: the Workers' Rights and Worker Safety Act and the Illinois Safe and Healthy Workplace Act. The bill aims to protect workers' rights and safety by preventing state agencies from reducing worker protections below federal standards as they existed on April 28, 2025. Under the Workers' Rights and Worker Safety Act, state agencies are prohibited from amending rules to be less stringent than existing federal wage and hour laws or coal mine safety laws, while still maintaining the ability to create more protective standards. If federal protections are weakened, state agencies must adopt rules to maintain at least the minimum level of worker protection that existed previously. The Illinois Safe and Healthy Workplace Act focuses on occupational safety and health standards in the private sector, particularly in areas where no federal standard exists. It empowers the Illinois Department of Labor to adopt rules to address occupational safety issues if federal standards are repealed or revoked. The bill also provides a right of action for employees and interested parties to enforce these standards, with potential civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $70,000 for violations, depending on the severity and frequency of the infraction. Additionally, the bill amends the existing Occupational Safety and Health Act to allow the Department of Labor to adopt standards that maintain worker protections even if federal standards change.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry, Labor and Employment

Sponsors (17)

Last Action

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0161 (on 08/14/2025)

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