SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a plan into law Wednesday to protect workers from having to hear or read political and religious information unrelated to their jobs. The law will crack down on employers forcing their workers to listen to their views during work time.
Illinois employers will soon be banned from threatening, disciplining, firing or retaliating against workers who refuse to attend mandatory workplace meetings that include political, religious or anti-union views. State Democratic leaders said Illinois will ensure every worker is given dignity and respect.
"When you all go out and fight for your members and get legislation passed and have us thinking every day about what we should be doing to help workers, you're helping every worker in the state of Illinois," Pritzker said. "As people recognize that more and more, they organize and they join a union."
The law will not limit an employer's right to express their belief freely with workers. However, the legislation allows employees to opt out of unwelcome political or religious speech by protecting them from retaliation if they don't participate in these discussions.
Employers could face civil penalties of $1,000 for each violation of the new law. The union representing nearly 900,000 workers in Illinois believes this change is critical as captive audience meetings are a direct violation of workers' rights.
"We do have a great labor movement in Illinois, and you're helping it every day become stronger," said Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea. "A stronger labor movement means a stronger Illinois."
Employers will be required to post information about this law in a common space for workers within 30 days after the plan takes effect.Â
New York, Connecticut, Minnesota, Maine, Oregon, Vermont and Washington have passed similar laws banning captive audience meetings.Â
This plan passed out of the House and Senate along partisan lines. The new law will take effect on January 1.
Copyright 2024. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
