Prairie State Wire

A new measure requiring Illinois state agencies to adopt workplace rules from the Biden Administration, previously rolled back by the Trump Administration, has passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly. The bill, known as SB 1976, now awaits the Governor's signature.

The legislation mandates that state-level regulations align with federal standards set during the Biden era. It also allows small businesses to face lawsuits from "interested parties," which are groups not directly affected but alleging violations of workplace safety regulations.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a major advocacy group for small businesses in Illinois and nationwide, has expressed strong opposition to SB 1976. In a letter addressed to legislators, NFIB stated:

"The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is the largest small-business advocacy organization in Illinois and the nation, representing approximately 10,000 small-business owners in Illinois alone. NFIB member businesses are independently owned and reflect the diversity of Illinois’ small-business community, including small businesses in retail, construction, transportation, hospitality, professional services, manufacturing, and agriculture."

NFIB outlined several concerns regarding SB 1976:

"It would lead to a divergence between state and federal workplace regulations, reducing regulatory clarity and certainty for many small businesses. Even as employers in other states gain regulatory relief from overreaching federal red tape, SB 1976 would prevent equivalent relief for Illinois employers. It would expose small businesses to additional lawsuits by granting so-called 'interested parties' broad latitude to bring civil lawsuits against employers."

According to NFIB's letter: "The bill’s broad mandate for Illinois agencies to incorporate defunct federal workplace regulations at the state level will create additional red tape, costs, and legal uncertainty for Illinois’ small business community. It will also increase regulatory disparity for Illinois’ Main Street businesses compared to their peers in neighboring states."

The organization concluded its statement by urging lawmakers: "Illinois small businesses need regulatory relief, not more red tape. Instead of adding to the regulatory burden on Illinois’ small-business community, NFIB encourages the Illinois General Assembly to look for ways to reduce regulatory costs on Main Street businesses."

NFIB called upon legislators with a clear message: "NFIB urges a 'no' vote on SB 1976."