Labor & Employment

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Prohibits an employer from discharging, disciplining, penalizing, discriminating against, or refusing to hire an employee or applicant solely on the basis that the employee or applicant exercised his or her right under the Act to lawfully store a concealed firearm in the employee's vehicle in the employer's parking lot. Provides that an employer, its officers, employees, and agents are immune from civil liability for any claim arising out of, or in any way related to, the mere presence of a lawfully stored firearm in an employee's vehicle in the employer's parking lot, including, but not limited to, claims for damages resulting from theft, discharge, or misuse of the firearm by a third party, unless the claim is based on the employer's own willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence independent of the lawful storage protected by the Act. Allows a person aggrieved by a violation of these provisions to bring a civil action in circuit court within 2 years after the date of the alleged violation. Describes the relief that is available in such an action.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for a taxpayer that makes a qualified donation of real property during the taxable year to an employer that will use the property for the purpose of providing onsite child care to its employees. Provides that the credit shall be in an amount equal to the fair market value of the property, as determined by the Department of Revenue by rule.

Amends the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. Provides that, when required to report the reason for a mass layoff or closing, the employer shall disclose any artificial intelligence-related job impacts, including the number of employees laid off substantially due to the replacement or automation by artificial intelligence of the functions performed by the employees. Provides that, if the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity issues any public report disclosing mass layoffs or closings, the Department shall include the reason for the mass layoff or closing in the report, including whether the mass layoff or closing is substantially due to artificial intelligence. Makes other changes.

Amends the he Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the wages paid to committed persons shall not be less than the minimum hourly wage set forth in the Minimum Wage Law. Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Provides for increases in the minimum hourly wage through January 1, 2032. Provides that, on and after July 1, 2026, every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees who is under 18 years of age no less than the applicable minimum hourly wage. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2030, an employer shall not be entitled to an allowance for gratuities and shall pay each employee no less than the applicable minimum hourly wage. Provides that beginning on January 1, 2033, and on every January 1 thereafter, the minimum hourly wage from the previous year shall be increased in proportion to the increase in the consumer price index-u. Provides that the Department of Labor shall inquire into any alleged violations of this Act brought to its attention by an interested party. Sets forth the procedure for complaints brought by interested parties. Defines "interested party". Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. In provisions concerning the transition program grants to assist eligible community agencies with active or pending Section 14(c) certificates to transition away from subminimum wages for workers with disabilities, requires the Department of Human Services to ensure equitable access to transition grants for all eligible holders of Section 14(c) certificates by (i) avoiding the concentration of funding among a limited number of grant recipients and (ii) promoting equity in the distribution of funds by being inclusive of all geographic regions of the State, provider sizes, and transition needs. Provides that every applicant that applies for grant funds and meets the grant criteria established by the Department shall be awarded a grant in an amount based upon the Department's funding criteria. Requires grant recipients to submit progress reports to the Department twice annually on a form developed by the Department in consultation with the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. Sets forth the information required in the reports. Requires the Department to aggregate data collected from the reports and make it publicly available on an annual basis. Amends the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force Act. Requires the Department to ensure that there is project management for statewide implementation of the multi-year plan under the Dignity in Pay Act, Public Act 103-1060, through December 31, 2029. Sets forth a list of project management responsibilities. Requires the Department to ensure the availability of ongoing technical assistance to eligible Section 14(c) certificate holders throughout the transition period ending on December 31, 2029. Sets forth the type of technical assistance to be provided. Provides that funds appropriated for Section 14(c) transition purposes may be used for (i) transition program grants to eligible providers, (ii) statewide project management and coordination, and (iii) technical assistance and capacity-building supports. Effective immediately.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Labor for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $14,822,800; Other State Funds $6,250,000; Federal Funds $6,400,000; Total $27,472,800.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for each taxpayer that is an eligible small employer in an amount equal to the amount paid during the taxable year by the eligible small employer to its employees as paid leave that is required by the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Provides that an eligible small employer is an employer that employs 50 or fewer employees during the taxable year and is subject to the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Effective January 1, 2027.

Creates the Meaningful Human Control of Artificial Intelligence Act. Provides that a public employer, including a contractor or subcontractor of the public employer, shall not use or apply, or authorize any procurement, purchase, or acquisition of any service or system using or relying on any automated decision-making system, directly or indirectly, without meaningful and continuing human review when performing specified functions. Provides that an employer seeking to use or apply an automated decision-making system shall conduct an initial impact assessment and an additional impact assessments at least once every 2 years and prior to any material changes to the automated decision-making system. Sets forth provisions concerning anti-retaliation; enforcement by the Department of Labor; and private rights of action.

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Provides that, on and after July 1, 2026, if a public employer files a petition to review an award of an arbitrator of the Commission, the award shall draw interest, retroactive to the date of the injury, at a rate equal to 10% or at a rate equal to the yield on indebtedness issued by the United States Government with a 26-week maturity next previously auctioned on the day on which the decision is filed, whichever is greater. Sets forth limitations on interest assessed under the provision. Defines "public employer". Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Provides that the definition of "employee" does not include: (1) a student enrolled in and regularly attending classes in a college or university, who is employed for less than an average of 30 hours per week by an employer, and who is not a participant in an adult education and literacy program at that college or university; or (2) a student enrolled in and regularly attending high school classes, who is under 18 years of age, and who is employed on a temporary or less than full time basis.