IL paid leave act, H-1B visa proposal

Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act in effect January 1 

The new Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers (PLAWA) law requires that all employees, regardless of employment status, including full-time, part-time and those employed through a third party, must receive paid time off benefits.

Employers who offered paid leave before the law’s implementation may maintain those existing benefits if they meet the requirements of the new law. Part-time and seasonal/day laborers are required to earn time off on a prorated, proportional basis as described in detail in the law. Employers have the option of front-loading or providing leave on an accrual basis.

PLAWA does not require a payout of unused leave unless the leave is credited to the employee’s paid time off bank or employee vacation account. It may be beneficial for employers to set up separate accounts for leave earned under the PLAWA law for accounting purposes.

We encourage all employers with employees working in Illinois to reference the Illinois Department of Labor FAQ. If you are unsure if you are covered, or need assistance in implementing a policy, please reach out to the Chamber for a referral or consult your attorney. Penalties will be established for non-compliance by the Illinois Department of Labor, so it’s important to be aware of this new law.

Chamber signs letter urging changes to H-1B visa 

The Quad Cities Chamber joined other chambers, trade associations, colleges and employers in urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to avoid adoption requirements that would narrow eligibility for H-1B visas. The H-1B is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa category that allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in “specialty occupations” that require at least a bachelor's degree or the equivalent. The proposed changes would limit eligibility for H-1B visas to a smaller number of applicants by changing “Position Criteria Requirements” to be more narrow and less flexible for employers and potential employees.

The Quad Cities Chamber signed the request, along with 74 other organizations including the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, University of Illinois System, Illinois Science and Technology Coalition and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Those interested can read the H-1B visa comment letter and explanation.