Recently, it has been made aware to the public of new changes that will happen in Illinois this year. These changes will all begin on July 1st 2024.
Minimum Wage Will Increase in Illinois
Chicago increases the minimum wage every July 1st of every year. This year, the minimum wage in the city of Chicago will increase from 15.80 dollars an hour to 16.20 dollars an hour. This equals to a .40 cent increase per hour. Workers that receive tips, will also have a minimum wage increase to 11.02 dollars per hour. It is hoped that tipped workers minimum wage will continue rising until they can be equal with regular minimum wage workers.
For the rest of Illinois, the minimum wage rose to 14 dollars per hour on January 1st.
Paid Leave Will Now be Mandatory in Chicago
All Chicagoan workers will be required to receive mandatory paid leave. Employees that work 80 hours within a 120 day period, will be given five days of paid leave for any purpose as well as an extra five days of sick leave. The city states that every 35 hours an employee works, they will be granted one hour of paid leave. It is possible for employees to have accumulated 80 hours of paid leave in a 12 month period.
New Illinois Law That Will Benefit Immigrants That Have Lived Here Longer
Lastly, there has been a new law implemented in the state of Illinois. Any undocumented immigrant that has resided in the state of Illinois for at least a year will be granted a valid U.S. drivers license. This will count as a valid form of ID compliant by the real ID act. This new law will replace the Temporary Visitor’s Drivers License (TVDL) that was introduced in back in 2013.
Over 300 thousand immigrants currently own a TVDL. To get this drivers license, immigrants will need to pass a driving test, provide ID documents, have a valid car insurance, and prove residency in the state for at least one year. Governor J. B. Pritzker, said he wanted to reduce the amount of immigrants that get profiled because of this temporary license. He believes this is a step in eliminating barriers to bigger opportunities for thousands of immigrants.
Written by Erika Cano
Sources:
Fox 32 Chicago: New Illinois laws take effect on July 1, 2024
NBC Chicago: From gas taxes to minimum wage, here are changes coming on July 1 in Illinois
City of Chicago: Minimum Wage
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