Illinois Proposes Limiting Unemployment Disqualification Period for Striking Workers, Draws Business Opposition
Illinois workers involved in a labor dispute could soon be eligible for unemployment benefits under a new proposal that would limit how long they remain disqualified from receiving benefits during work stoppages.
State Rep. Dave Vella, D-Loves Park, explained the proposal to the Illinois House Labor and Commerce Committee. The bill would change the Unemployment Insurance Act to limit disqualification to two weeks instead of covering any week affected by a labor dispute.
"It is a minor change to the Unemployment Insurance Act that limits how long workers are disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits during a labor dispute-related work stoppage. Instead of being ineligible for any week affected by the labor dispute, workers would only be ineligible for two weeks," Vella said.
Business advocates have expressed strong opposition to the measure. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce and associations representing manufacturers, retail merchants, construction, trucking and transportation builders oppose House Bill 2565.
The committee is scheduled to consider an amended version of House Bill 2565 on Wednesday.
Separate concerns have emerged around another proposal that requires employers to submit unemployment claim information for affected workers. State Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-Rock Island, said House Bill 4805 would require employers with 75 or more employees to submit claim information to the state in cases involving layoffs, furloughs or temporary shutdowns.
"This bill does not expand eligibility for unemployment benefits, it does not change benefit levels. It does not apply to small employers," Johnson said.
Illinois Retail Merchants Association President and CEO Rob Karr expressed concern that the bill follows organized labor's move last year to abandon the agreed bill process.
"Even if proposals are adopted a few here and there every year, their cumulative effect will add significantly to the cost of employment for employers of every size, higher costs in a state that is already a high-cost state for employment," Karr said.
State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, opposed the bill and said it is set up to penalize employers.
The proposals highlight ongoing tensions between labor and business interests in Illinois as the state considers changes to unemployment insurance rules that could affect how workers are treated during labor disputes.