labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Illinois employers can now relax — they will not face criminal charges if an employee or customer smokes on the premises.

Governor Pat Quinn signed Public Act 95-1029 into law. The bill amends the Smoke-Free Illinois act by specifying that violators will face civil – not criminal –charges. While the penalties will still include fines, they will not include jail time.

The Smoke-free Illinois Act requires that every employer post signs prohibiting smoking within 15 feet of any doors. It also prohibits smoking in all workplaces, including bars, restaurants, schools, theaters and casinos.

The Illinois non-smoking law defines smoking as carrying a lit cigarette, pipe, cigar or any other smoking material or implement. In addition, smoking, burning, inhaling and exhaling are also defined as smoking. The law specifically prohibits herbs and weeds as well as tobacco.

Smoking is prohibited 15 feet from any windows that open or ventilation intakes that serve an indoor workplace under the new law. 

The current law replaced a less-restrictive Illinois smoking ban (more…)

Employers have already been warned that the state minimum wage will increase with the new year in Oregon, Washington, Florida, New Mexico, Vermont, Colorado, Arizona, Missouri, Montana, Ohio and Connecticut.

However, employers in other states also have to contend with minimum wage increases this year.

Even if an employer has no minimum wage employees, each increase means the employer must update his or her minimum wage posters. By law, employers are required to display a variety of labor law posters prominently in the workplace. Failure to do so can result in fines, penalties and citations.

On July 1, 2009 the Illinois minimum wage will increase by 50 cents, from $7.50 to $8.00 per hour. This is the final step in a 3-tiered increase introduced by the now-infamous (more…)