COBRA Subsidy What Employers Need to Know

A six-month COBRA subsidy period was signed into law on March 11, 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP).  It includes a 100% COBRA subsidy for all eligible employees and their covered dependents effective April 1 through September 30, 2021. All Employers with a group health plan will be required to pay 100% of COBRA or State...

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Is My Business Essential?

Is My Business Essential? With the new normal in the State of Illinois and the US, the more pertinent question is “will I be able to stay in business?”  The short answer is a definite probably. On March 21, 2020 Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Executive Order No. 8 Stay at Home; Social Distancing Requirements;  and Essential Business and...

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Families First Coronavirus Response Act

On March 18, 2020, President Donald Trump signed into law the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (H.R. 6021).  This article will address the three (3) main provisions that will affect private businesses and their employees in Illinois and the US:  the “Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act”, the “Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act”,...

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Non-Compete Agreements and Non-Management Employees

A common question we are asked is whether employers may require non-management personnel to sign a non-compete agreement. The answer is yes, but there are limitations of which employers should be aware.  To be enforceable in the State of Illinois, the agreement must (1) have adequate consideration, (2) be reasonably necessary to protect the...

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Gender Identity and the Workplace

Gender identity is a protected class against discrimination under the Illinois Human Rights Act.[1] http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=2266 The law protects employees against discrimination in all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, selection, promotion, transfer, pay, tenure, discharge, and discipline. To...

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Major Changes to Exempt Status under the FLSA

The Department of Labor (DOL) has made some pervasive changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) which will affect the minimum salary requirement for employees to be considered Exempt from overtime. As of December 1, 2016 the DOL has raised the minimum salary for administrative, professional, and executive positions from $23,660 to $47,476 to...

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