There are some new laws that will be going on the books in 2022. Some of the new laws that will go into effect on January 1st, 2022 include the Victims Economic Security and Safety Act. That act was amended to create the Violent Crime Victims’ Leave Act.  This act allows family or household members who are victims of violence to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per any 12 month period to seek medical help, legal assistance, counseling, safety planning, and other assistance. The amendment also prohibits employers from discriminating against employees who are victims of violence.

The Illinois Department of Labor also will be responsible for maintaining a database that allows the public to search for certified payrolls submitted by construction contractors on public works projects. This is a bigger part of the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act.  It ensures contractors are complying with the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act.  IDOL must make relevant information available to the public every 16th day of the month. 

There are some new health insurance coverage disclosures that employers must inform employees on in accordance with the Consumer Coverage Disclosure Act.  This new law brings transparency and requires all employers doing business in Illinois to disclose to their employees what group health plans do and do not cover. There are up to 42 medical services and treatments that employers must identify as covered or not. Employers can find out more by viewing the website and looking at the Consumer Coverage Disclosure Act.

Another new law that will go into place on January 1st is a law concerning trampoline courts. Trampoline courts will be subject to inspeciton and permitting under the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Act.  These courts must now be inspected and permitted and they must be reviewed to ensure that they meet industry standards. All employees that work for a trampoline court must have a criminal history records check and sex offender registry check.  They also must provide proper documentation for random drug testing and have a substance abuse policy in place. 

Regional Radio News will have more new laws throughout the next few days that take place on January 1st.