Unions back measure protecting employees who skip religious or political work meetings
By ALEX ABBEDUTO
Capitol News Illinois
abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com
SPRINGFIELD – Democrats in the Illinois Senate on Wednesday advanced a measure that would prohibit Illinois companies from requiring employees to attend work-related meetings about politics or religion.
Senate Bill 3649, which is backed by organized labor, passed the Senate Labor Committee 11-4. Backers have dubbed it the “Worker Freedom of Speech Act.”
Tim Drea, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO labor organization, said the bill would help Illinoisans avoid unnecessary and potentially uncomfortable gatherings in which workers are forced to be a “captive audience” for their employers’ political or religious speech.
“They go to work for a paycheck and to make a profit for the employer, period,” Drea said. “Not to be indoctrinated by anyone’s religious or political beliefs.”
Under the proposal, it would be illegal for a business to “discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize” an employee who “declines to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting “about religious or political matters,” according to the bill’s language.
Employees who believe their workplaces violated the law would be able to file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Labor and sue their employer to reverse any illegal punishment, like being fired for not attending a meeting.
Opponents of the bill, like National Federation of Independent Business Illinois State Director Noah Finley, said the legislation would infringe on employers’ civil liberties by creating “content-based discrimination.” He also claimed the measure would prevent employees from getting new points of view from their employer – like which legislation their union dues could support.
Republicans on the committee expressed concerns that the bill’s definitions of “religious” and “political” speech were too broad.
The bill defines “political matters” as anything pertaining to elections, changing laws or regulations, or joining advocacy groups, fraternal organizations, unions or political parties. “Religious matters” include anything pertaining to belief, affiliation, practice or decision to join any religious organization or association.
Opponents also argued the General Assembly has no authority to pass the legislation because it’s preempted by the National Labor Relations Act, but no official ruling has been made in any of the five other states with similar laws.
Frances Orenic, legislative director for Illinois AFL-CIO, said the bill does not prohibit employees from exercising their right to free speech.
“It will just protect employees if they decide not to engage,” Orenic told the panel.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago. He said he filed it in response to a 2022 memorandum from the general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board. The memo advocated for making “captive audience” meetings for political or religious matters a violation of the National Labor Relations Act.
But the NLRB has not taken such an action.
“With no response from the federal level, Illinois must step in to promote employee-friendly environments,” Peters said in a news release.
While the bill passed committee, Orenic said negotiations on final bill language will continue in the coming weeks. She noted the AFL-CIO was working with groups such as the ACLU of Illinois, Equality Illinois and Planned Parenthood.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.
Illinois News
Classifieds
Kankakee Public Library News
Spread the loveKankakee Public Library, 201 E. Merchant Street, recently announced several of its upcoming programs in March. For more information on upcoming events, check out the library’s Facebook page, visit lions-online.org, or call 815-939-4564. Bingo, Books, and BP: Join others in the community on Friday, March 8, from 10 a.m. – noon, at the…
FY ’25 Budget, Streetscape, PR Agreement Topics at Peotone Village Board
Spread the loveBy Andrea Arens A light agenda for the Peotone Village Board still proved informative during their February 26 meeting. The board received a presentation of the FY 2025 budget for discussion. A public hearing for the budget will be held at the March 11 board meeting. Talking points of the budget included the…
CM 201-U Holds First Strategic Planning Workgroup Meeting
Spread the loveCrete-Monee School District 201-U held its first Strategic Planning Workgroup meeting on Thursday, February 22, with approximately 50 members participating. During the session, participants discussed the importance of strategic planning, the process that will be used to create the strategic plan, and the district’s mission and vision. The group also reviewed feedback from…
Monee Honors CREW Award Recipients
Spread the loveBy Andrea Arens Ten Village of Monee employees were recognized for exemplary performance with semi-annual CREW awards during the February 28 meeting of the board of trustees. “CREW is an acronym that defines an employee who provides exemplary work,” Mayor Therese Bogs said, introducing the recipients. “CREW stands for Credibility, Respect, Equality/Fellowship/Identity, and…
Monee Police Blotter: February 19 – 24
Spread the loveFebruary 19, at approximately 4:30 p.m., a traffic stop resulted in the arrest of Javier Alvarado, 22, of Oak Lawn. Alvarado was cited for no registration and no insurance. He also was wanted for failure to appear in Will County, was secured, and transported. February 22, at approximately 9:30 a.m., a vehicle wanted…
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Redesignated Acute Stroke Ready Hospital
Spread the loveFranciscan Health Olympia Fields has been redesignated as an Acute Stroke Ready hospital by the Illinois Department of Public Health, the hospital announced recently. Acute Stroke Ready hospitals serve as the first stop for patients suspected of having a stroke. Franciscan Health Olympia Fields is the only hospital in the South Suburbs with…
Clove Alliance Hosting Cosmic Bingo
Spread the loveClove Alliance is excited to announce the return of their signature event, COSMIC BINGO, on Friday, March 22, at the Kankakee Fairgrounds Expo Center. This unique bingo night, with a cosmic twist, is for adults 18 and older! With laser and black lights, loud music, and glow sticks, this interactive bingo event promises…
Riverside Expands Primary Care Team in Manteno
Spread the loveJenna Cella, DO, specializes in family medicine. Riverside Healthcare is pleased to welcome board-certified family medicine physician Jenna Cella, DO. Dr. Cella completed her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, then completed her family medicine residency at Franciscan Health in Olympia Fields. In addition…
Legion Fish Fry March 9
Spread the loveArea residents are invited to Peotone American Legion Post 392’s monthly all-you-can-eat fish fry on Saturday, March 9, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., or until sold out. Tickets are $15 for perch or catfish and include French fries, cole slaw, bread, and butter. You might also want to try a special dessert for…
Beecher Police Blotter: February 7 – 21
Spread the loveDisclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely an accusation, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. February 7, Timothy Darragh, 55, of the 200 block of Quail Hollow Drive, Beecher, was stopped at Foxhound Trail and Timbers Bluff Trail for a vehicle equipment violation and found to…
PHS Announces First Semester Honor Rolls
Spread the lovePeotone High School recently announced students named to its first semester honor rolls. Congratulations to the following students! Superior Honor Roll (4.0 and above) Seniors: Payton Bean, Hunter Becker, Emma Bialko, Abigail Chenoweth, Jack Connolley, Edgar Duran, Colin Emsweller, Ethan Ferrier, Tyler Gill, Matthew Gromala, Peyton Hack, Landen Hamm, Alicia Hunding, Emma Iozzo,…
Crete Library News
Spread the loveThursday, March 7 Knot Just for Knitters, from 1 – 2 p.m., ages 11/adult: Join us to socialize while working on knitting, crocheting, or any other type of needlework project. Drop in. Preschool Pals, from 1 – 2 p.m., ages four/five: During this independent storytime experience, children enjoy spending time with other preschoolers,…