On Friday, August 10, 2018, Governor Rauner signed two new legislative measures in the attempt to end sex harassment at the Capitol and elsewhere.

House Bill 4243 takes effect immediately and forbids tax dollars to be used to settle sex harassment claims. The goal is to prevent lawmakers and their staff from using public monies to try keep victims of sex harassment silent by paying them off using public tax dollars. The sponsor of the bill said “Now it is crystal clear under law that there is zero tolerance for sexual harassment in Illinois, particularly when it is funded by the taxpayers.”

House Bill 4953 requires anti-harassment training for anyone applying for or renewing professional state licenses such as teachers, doctors and real estate agents. Such individuals must take a one hour sex harassment prevention training course. Training sessions will start in January of 2020.

Questions? Contact attorney Nancy Joerg, in our St. Charles office at (630) 377-1554 or by e-mail at najoerg@wesselssherman.com