102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB4440

 

Introduced 1/21/2022, by Rep. Joe Sosnowski

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act
20 ILCS 3305/7.5 new
820 ILCS 405/1502.4
820 ILCS 405/1504.1 new
820 ILCS 405/1400.01 new
820 ILCS 405/1400.3 new
820 ILCS 405/101 new

    Provides that the Act may be referred to as the COVID-19 Small Business Relief Act. Creates the COVID-19 Immunity Act. Provides that an employer shall not be liable in a civil action claiming an injury from exposure or potential exposure to COVID-19 if the act or omission alleged to violate a duty of care of the employer was in compliance or consistent with guidance applicable at the time of the alleged exposure. Creates the COVID-19 Business Operation Compliance Act. Provides that a qualified employer may lawfully operate his or her business in the State by adhering to any health and safety guidance that is in place during a time when there is a COVID-19-related public health emergency. Creates the Temporary Employment Tort Moratorium Act. Provides that any lawsuit against a small business for wrongful termination that occurred in the calendar years of 2020 or 2021 shall be stayed until January 1, 2023. Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Provides that the Governor's 30 days of emergency powers shall not be extended, renewed, or successively issued by any subsequent disaster proclamations for the same disaster. Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that for an annual administrative fee not to exceed $5, an employer subject to the payment of contributions may pay its quarterly contributions due for wages paid during the first 3 quarters of a calendar year in equal installments. Provides that the Director of the Department of Employment Security may establish a temporary unemployment tax holiday for the purposes of providing temporary tax payment relief to an eligible employer in the State. Allows for the development and implementation of an unemployment benefits claims-processing and contribution-management model pilot program that is operated by a responsible private entity or administrator. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.


LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB4440LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1    AN ACT concerning COVID-19.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4
Article 1. COVID-19 Small Business Relief

 
5    Section 1-1. References to Act. This Act may be referred
6to as the COVID-19 Small Business Relief Act.
 
7
Article 5. Civil Immunity for Small Businesses

 
8    Section 5-1. Short title. This Article may be cited as the
9COVID-19 Immunity Act. References in this Article to "this
10Act" mean this Article.
 
11    Section 5-5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
12    "COVID-19" means the novel coronavirus identified as
13SARS-CoV-2, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, and conditions
14associated with the disease.
15    "Employer" means any individual, partnership, association,
16corporation, limited liability company, business trust, or any
17person or group of persons acting directly or indirectly in
18the interest of an employer in relation to an employee, for
19which one to 50 persons are gainfully employed on some day
20within a calendar year. An employer is subject to this Act in a

 

 

HB4440- 2 -LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1calendar year on and after the first day in such calendar year
2in which he employs one or more persons, and for the following
3calendar year.
4    "Guidance" means written guidelines related to COVID-19
5issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
6Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the United
7States Department of Labor, the Illinois Department of Public
8Health, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
9Opportunity, or any other State agency, board, or commission.
 
10    Section 5-10. Civil immunity. Notwithstanding any other
11provision of law, an employer shall not be liable in a civil
12action claiming an injury from exposure or potential exposure
13to COVID-19 if the act or omission alleged to violate a duty of
14care of the employer was in compliance or consistent with
15federal or State regulations, a presidential or gubernatorial
16executive order, or guidance applicable at the time of the
17alleged exposure. If 2 or more sources of guidance apply to the
18conduct or risk at the time of the alleged exposure, the
19employer shall not be liable if the conduct is consistent with
20any applicable guidance.
 
21    Section 5-15. Exceptions. The immunity described in
22Section 5-10 does not apply to willful misconduct, reckless
23infliction of harm, or intentional infliction of harm. This
24Act does not affect rights and remedies under the Workers'

 

 

HB4440- 3 -LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1Compensation Act.
 
2
Article 10. Businesses Allowed to Operate Under Federal
3
Guidance

 
4    Section 10-1. Short title. This Article may be cited as
5the COVID-19 Business Operation Compliance Act. References in
6this Article to "this Act" mean this Article.
 
7    Section 10-5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
8    "COVID-19" means the novel coronavirus identified as
9SARS-CoV-2, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, and conditions
10associated with the disease.
11    "Guidance" means written guidelines related to COVID-19
12issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
13Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the United
14States Department of Labor, the Illinois Department of Public
15Health, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
16Opportunity, or any other State agency, board, or commission.
17    "Qualified employer" means any essential businesses and
18operations as defined in Executive Order 2020-10 dated March
1920, 2020.
 
20    Section 10-10. Lawful operations during a COVID-19-related
21public health crisis. Notwithstanding any other provision of
22law, a qualified employer may lawfully operate his or her

 

 

HB4440- 4 -LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1business in the State by adhering to any health and safety
2guidance that is in place during a time when there is a
3COVID-19-related public health emergency. The qualified
4employer may choose to adhere to specific federal guidance in
5lieu of any guidance offered by the State or local
6governmental agency if the federal guidance is deemed less
7stringent by the qualified employer.
 
8    Section 10-15. Relation to other laws. This Act supersedes
9any State law, including any local law or ordinance, contract,
10agreement, policy, plan, practice, or other matter that
11reduces, limits, or eliminates in any manner any protection
12provided by this Act, including the establishment of
13additional prerequisites to the exercise of any such
14protection.
 
15
Article 15. Temporary Employment Tort Moratorium

 
16    Section 15-1. Short title. This Article may be cited as
17the Temporary Employment Tort Moratorium Act. References in
18this Article to "this Act" mean this Article.
 
19    Section 15-5. Temporary stay of wrongful termination
20suits.
21    (a) Due to the vast effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on
22small businesses and the response from the State government

 

 

HB4440- 5 -LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1that made it even more difficult for small businesses to
2operate, the purpose of this Act is to give small businesses
3time to recuperate some of their losses before any possible
4lawsuits may cause them any further harm.
5    (b) As used in this Section, "small business" means any
6business with 50 or fewer employees.
7    (c) Any wrongful termination lawsuit against a small
8business filed on the basis of a termination that occurred in
9the calendar years of 2020 or 2021 shall be stayed until
10January 1, 2023. This shall not abridge the right of a person
11to file or obtain any remedy for a wrongful termination suit
12and any statute of limitations period shall be tolled from the
13date the wrongful termination occurred or should have been
14discovered until January 1, 2023.
 
15
Article 20. Claims Against the State of Illinois; IEMA
16
Disaster Declaration Limitation

 
17    Section 20-5. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act
18is amended by adding Section 7.5 as follows:
 
19    (20 ILCS 3305/7.5 new)
20    Sec. 7.5. Expiration of emergency powers of the Governor.
21The Governor's 30 days of emergency powers shall not be
22extended, renewed, or successively issued by any subsequent
23disaster proclamations for the same disaster. Neither shall

 

 

HB4440- 6 -LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1any disaster proclamations be extended, renewed, or
2successively issued beyond 30 days for the same disaster.
3Injunctive relief, attorney's fees, and court costs shall be
4awarded to a prevailing plaintiff in a suit alleging that an
5executive order by the Governor is in violation of this
6Section.
 
7
Article 25. Unemployment Benefit Charges Relief Extended; No
8
Experience Factor Changes Based on COVID-19-Related
9
Unemployment

 
10    Section 30-5. The Unemployment Insurance Act is amended by
11changing Section 1502.4 and by adding Section 1504.1 as
12follows:
 
13    (820 ILCS 405/1502.4)
14    Sec. 1502.4. Benefit charges; COVID-19.
15    A. With respect to any benefits paid for a week of
16unemployment that begins on or after March 15, 2020, and
17before June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020, and is directly or
18indirectly attributable to COVID-19, notwithstanding any other
19provisions to the contrary an employer that is subject to the
20payment of contributions shall not be chargeable for any
21benefit charges.
22    B. With respect to any regular benefits paid for a week of
23unemployment that begins on or after March 15, 2020, and

 

 

HB4440- 7 -LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1before June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020, and is directly or
2indirectly attributable to COVID-19, notwithstanding any other
3provisions to the contrary except subsection E, a nonprofit
4organization that is subject to making payments in lieu of
5contributions shall be chargeable for 50% of the benefits
6paid.
7    C. With respect to any benefits paid for a week of
8unemployment that begins on or after March 15, 2020, and
9before June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020, and is directly or
10indirectly attributable to COVID-19, notwithstanding any other
11provisions to the contrary except subsection E, the State and
12any local government that is subject to making payments in
13lieu of contributions shall be chargeable for 50% of the
14benefits paid, irrespective of whether the State or local
15government paid the individual who received the benefits wages
16for insured work during the individual's base period.
17    D. Subsections A, B, and C shall only apply to the extent
18that the employer can show that the individual's unemployment
19for the week was directly or indirectly attributable to
20COVID-19.
21    E. No employer shall be chargeable for the week of
22benefits paid to an individual under the provisions of Section
23500D-1.
24(Source: P.A. 101-633, eff. 6-5-20.)
 
25    (820 ILCS 405/1504.1 new)

 

 

HB4440- 8 -LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1    Sec. 1504.1. State experience factor evaluation. The
2Department shall recommend to the General Assembly and the
3Governor that no change to the State's experience factor
4should be made in a calendar year if the Department reasonably
5believes that any change will result in increased costs to
6employers in the State.
 
7
Article 30. Quarterly Unemployment Insurance Contributions

 
8    Section 35-5. The Unemployment Insurance Act is amended by
9adding Section 1400.01 as follows:
 
10    (820 ILCS 405/1400.01 new)
11    Sec. 1400.01. Payments of contributions. For an annual
12administrative fee not to exceed $5, an employer subject to
13the payment of contributions may pay its quarterly
14contributions due for wages paid during the first 3 quarters
15of a calendar year in equal installments as follows:
16        (1) For contributions due for wages paid during the
17    first quarter of that calendar year, one-fourth of the
18    contributions due shall be paid on or before April 30 of
19    that calendar year, one-fourth shall be paid on or before
20    July 31 of that calendar year, one-fourth shall be paid on
21    or before October 31 of that calendar year, and one-fourth
22    shall be paid on or before January 31 of the succeeding
23    calendar year.

 

 

HB4440- 9 -LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1        (2) In addition to the payments specified in paragraph
2    (1), for contributions due for wages paid during the
3    second quarter of that calendar year, one-third of the
4    contributions due shall be paid on or before July 31 of
5    that calendar year, one-third shall be paid on or before
6    October 31 of that calendar year, and one-third shall be
7    paid on or before January 31 of the succeeding calendar
8    year.
9        (3) In addition to the payments specified in
10    paragraphs (1) and (2), for contributions due for wages
11    paid during the third quarter of that calendar year,
12    one-half of the contributions due shall be paid on or
13    before October 31 of that calendar year, and one-half
14    shall be paid on or before January 31 of the succeeding
15    calendar year.
16        (4) The annual administrative fee assessed for
17    electing to pay under this Section for a calendar year
18    shall be due and payable on or before April 30 of that
19    calendar year and shall be deposited into the Special
20    Administrative Account.
21    Interest shall not accrue on any contribution that becomes
22due for wages paid during the first 3 quarters of a calendar
23year if the employer elects to use the provisions of this
24Section and pays its contributions and administrative fee in
25accordance with paragraphs (1) through (4). If an employer
26elects to use the provisions of this Section but fails to pay

 

 

HB4440- 10 -LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1its contributions when due in accordance with paragraphs (1)
2through (4), interest shall accrue as of the date that the
3payment was originally due without regard to this Section.
4    The Director may adopt such rules as the Director deems
5necessary to carry out this Section.
 
6
Article 35. Unemployment Tax Holiday

 
7    Section 40-5. The Unemployment Insurance Act is amended by
8adding Section 1400.3 as follows:
 
9    (820 ILCS 405/1400.3 new)
10    Sec. 1400.3. Employer's contribution holiday. For calendar
11year 2021, the Director may establish a temporary unemployment
12tax holiday for the purposes of providing temporary tax
13payment relief to an eligible employer in the State. As used in
14this Section, "eligible employer" means an employer with 50 or
15fewer employees who is subject to this Act.
 
16
Article 40. Private Sector Option for Unemployment Insurance
17
Contribution and Benefit Pilot Program

 
18    Section 45-5. The Unemployment Insurance Act is amended by
19adding Section 101 as follows:
 
20    (820 ILCS 405/101 new)

 

 

HB4440- 11 -LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1    Sec. 101. Private Sector Option for Unemployment Insurance
2Contribution and Benefit Pilot Program.
3    (a) The State is facing one of the most challenging
4financial times in State history that was brought about by the
52019 novel coronavirus. While at the beginning of the global
6pandemic, and to this day, the novel coronavirus created a
7public health crisis, its continued impacts on public health
8have additionally given way to an economic crisis. This has
9placed an incredible strain on the Department of Employment
10Security. Facing an unprecedented need for unemployment and
11other assistance, the Department has proven ineffectual in its
12safe, secure, and timely handling and processing of
13unemployment claims and benefits. All across this State, there
14have been countless cases of reported and suspected
15unemployment fraud committed against State residents. The
16great need for assistance by legitimate claimants and the
17seemingly unknown levels of fraudulent claims has resulted in
18an unworkable benefits delivery model that does not appear to
19be improving. Therefore, the State affirms herein the need to
20employ a new alternative method of processing unemployment
21claims that allows Illinois workers and businesses greater
22flexibility, security, and cost-effectiveness.
23    (b) The Department may allow for the development and
24implementation of an unemployment benefits claims-processing
25and contribution-management model pilot program that is
26operated by a responsible private entity or administrator with

 

 

HB4440- 12 -LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1all appropriate, safe, and secure integrity measures that are
2required by State and federal laws governing the
3administration of unemployment insurance benefit systems.
4    (c) In establishing the pilot program, the Department may
5establish an unemployment insurance contribution model that
6allows qualified employers to, in lieu of making regular
7unemployment insurance contributions under the provisions of
8this Act, secure a bond that is managed by the responsible
9private entity or administrator for purposes of paying out any
10qualified unemployment claims. Similarly, a qualified employee
11may secure a bond that is managed by the responsible private
12entity or administrator for purposes of accessing qualified
13unemployment claims. In establishing the pilot program, the
14Department may, additionally, allow for the portability of any
15unemployment insurance that allows qualified employees to work
16with the responsible private entity or administrator to ensure
17that timely and secure payments are made from the bond. The
18Department may set any reasonable criteria for the
19establishment of the pilot program and may establish any
20necessary guidelines to ensure the State's compliance with any
21federal law.
22    (d) The pilot program shall be overseen by the Department
23and the Department, in consultation with the Department of
24Revenue, may adopt any rules necessary to ensure that the
25pilot program and the responsible private entity or
26administrator that acts as the administrator of the pilot

 

 

HB4440- 13 -LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1program is abiding by all applicable State and federal laws.
2    (e) The Department may receive any and all information
3deemed necessary and appropriate from the responsible private
4entity or administrator to ensure the compliance of the
5responsible private entity or administrator with all State and
6federal laws, including any reporting requirements that the
7Department may deem reasonable and appropriate.
8    (f) Participation in the pilot program created under this
9Section may be limited to any qualified employee that:
10        (1) has filed for and received unemployment insurance
11    benefits in calendar year 2020 or 2021; or
12        (2) has been the victim of unemployment insurance
13    fraud; and
14        (3) is an employee of a qualified employer in the
15    State that employs less than 50 employees in the State.
16    (g) The pilot program under this Section shall become
17effective beginning on January 1, 2022 and shall be in effect
18until January 1, 2025.
19    (h) Nothing in this Section shall be interpreted to create
20a new tax or increase the rate of contribution of any employer
21required under this Act.
22    (i) As used in this Section:
23    "Private administration of unemployment insurance
24benefits" means the direct administration of State
25unemployment insurance benefits for qualifying taxpayers and
26businesses that elect to participate in the pilot program

 

 

HB4440- 14 -LRB102 21238 LNS 30349 b

1created under this Section.
2    "Qualified employee" means an Illinois worker who filed
3for and received unemployment benefits in calendar year 2020
4or 2021 or an Illinois worker who was the victim of
5unemployment insurance benefit fraud in calendar year 2020 or
62021.
7    "Qualified employer" means any business with 50 or fewer
8employees.
9    "Responsible private entity or administrator" means a
10nonpublic entity that has operated in the business of
11insurance or unemployment insurance administration and is
12licensed in the State and deemed capable and competent to
13implement the provisions of the pilot program created under
14this Section.
 
15
Article 99. Effective Date

 
16    Section 99-99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
17becoming law.