Illinois Client Update
Legal News for Illinois Employers
August, 2019
Teleseminar: How to Use Severance & Release Agreements When Firing an Employee
When : Thursday, September 12, 2019, 2-3 pm

Presented by : Nancy Joerg & Tony Caruso

If a company is planning on terminating an employee whom the company feels may be litigious or may be a high-risk termination, then the company may want the employee to sign a severance and release agreement. Giving an employee severance in exchange for the employee signing a release of all claims is an effective way a company can help avoid potential litigation .

Want more information? Contact Tammy Nelson at (630) 377-1554 or by email
C ontact Walter in our Chicago, IL office at (312) 629-9300 or by email
Illinois Workplace Transparency Act
By Walter J. Liszka, Esq.
On June 2, 2019, the Illinois General Assembly approved the Workplace Transparency Act providing certain protections concerning sexual harassment in the workplace and imposing significant new obligations on Illinois Employers. This Bill was signed into law by Governor Pritzker in June 2019 and the provision of the new bill become effective January 1, 2020.
The Workplace Transparency Act prohibits Employers from entering into any Employment Agreement that includes non-disclosure or non-disparagement clauses dealing with claims for harassment or discrimination. The Workplace Transparency Act would permit such clauses dealing with claims of harassment or discrimination in Settlement and Separation Agreements so long as:

Contact Jennifer in our St. Charles, IL office at (630) 377-1554 or by email
Illinois Adopts Salary History Inquiry Ban
By Jennifer Adams Murphy, Esq.
◊The Impact On Your Business Practices ◊

Governor Pritzker signed House Bill 834 last week which amends the Illinois Equal Pay Act to prohibit Illinois employers from seeking an applicant's compensation history as a condition of employment. The Bill also prohibits an employer from requiring employees to sign agreements which would prevent them from disclosing their compensation to others. (A similar bill had been vetoed by former Governor Rauner in 2017).
The purpose of the salary inquiry ban is to prevent the presumably (and statistically) lower compensation history of women and African Americans from continuing to depress earnings potential. Likewise, the Bill's provision prohibiting employers from requiring employees to sign non-disclosure agreements regarding their wage/salary, removes impediments to employees identifying race and gender-based compensation discrepancies.

Actions Prohibited
Specifically, the law prohibits employers and employment agencies from:


Contact Jennifer Murphy at jemurphy@wesselssherman.com if you would like an example of a compliant application form.
C ontact Walter in our Chicago, IL office at (312) 629-9300 or by email
Chicago Fair Workweek Ordinance
By Walter J. Liszka, Esq.
After a two and one-half year span of time covering two (2) administrations and pitting business interests against those of labor, the City of Chicago on July 24, 2019 passed the Fair Workweek Ordinance. This legislation will require companies in the covered industries to give all of their covered workers ten (10) calendar days of Notice of Work Schedules beginning July 1, 2020 and fourteen (14) calendar days as of July 1, 2022.
Here are some of the highlights of the law:
  • Industries covered: Building services, Healthcare, Hotels, Manufacturing, Restaurants with at least thirty (30) locations and 250 Employees, Non-profit with more than 250 Employees, Retail and Warehousing.
  • Employers covered: Those with more than 100 employees global; or 250 employees for non-profits; and
  • Employees covered: Individuals with salaries of less than $50,000 a year or an hourly rate less than $26.00 an hour.

How to Use Severance & Release Agreements When Firing an Employee
When: Thursday, September 12, 2019, 2-3 pm

Presented by Attorneys Nancy Joerg & Tony Caruso

If a company is planning on terminating an employee whom the company feels may be litigious or may be a high-risk termination, then the company may want the employee to sign a severance and release agreement. Giving an employee severance in exchange for the employee signing a release of all claims is an effective way a company can help avoid potential litigation .

Want more information? Contact Tammy Nelson at (630) 377-1554 or by email
Employee Handbooks for Illinois Employers. What Policies to Include (and Why)!
When: Thursday, November 7, 2019, 2-3pm

Presented by Attorneys Nancy Joerg & Tony Caruso

Have you ever wondered if your employee handbook is really up to date and complete ? Are you in the process of re-writing your handbook and you're not sure what you should, or should not, include? Join us to learn the true purpose of a handbook; Illinois specific language to use ; what policies to leave out; how to treat employee benefits; and what handbooks should say about performance reviews and salary.

Want more information? Contact Tammy Nelson at (630) 377-1554 or by email
Wessels Sherman has well-staffed offices with experienced attorneys to assist with our readers' legal needs in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa too. Businesses with operations/matters in these states are encouraged to call any of our attorneys for assistance. Additionally, Wessels Sherman attorneys regularly work with other lawyers as a highly cost-effective and trusted co-counsel and local counsel. Referrals are always appreciated and respected.  
Editor-in-Chief: Nancy E. Joerg, Esq.
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