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“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.
Opponents include the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and
associations representing manufacturers, retail merchants,
construction, trucking and transportation builders.
The committee is scheduled to consider an amended version of
House Bill 2565 on Wednesday.
Business advocates expressed concern about a separate 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.
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